The Prime Minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry, “not welcome” in the Dominican Republic for security reasonsstated the Dominican president, Luis Abinaderaccording to a statement posted this Saturday on the National Palace networks.
The note specifies that, in an interview with the Financial Times, Abinader said that, given the current situation in Haiti, “he does not consider the prime minister’s presence in the Dominican Republic to be appropriate.”
This decision highlights the “firm stance” of the Dominican Government to safeguard national security and stability, in a context where violence and chaos have escalated significantly in Haiti.
Abinader emphasized the absence of government and authority in Haiti, describing the security situation as “totally unsustainable,” especially in the south of Haiti, as well as in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and its surroundings.
According to Abinader, The situation could deteriorate further if a peacekeeping force is not urgently deployed to restore order and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Haiti.specified the Dominican Presidency.
Security threat
The head of state stressed that the crisis in Haiti not only represents a humanitarian challenge, but also poses a direct threat to the stability and security of the Dominican Republicso his Administration has taken proactive measures to ensure that the country is not negatively affected by events in the neighboring country.
The Dominican president urged the international community to join in the effort to pacify Haiti and develop a viable plan towards democratic elections, Therefore, without a legitimate government and a significant decrease in violence, the electoral process would be unviable.
Henry has been in Puerto Rico since last Tuesdayafter the Dominican authorities denied his request to land in the country for reasons of national security.
On Friday night, according to local media, several alleged bandits were killed by the Haitian National Police during the attack on the National Palace in Port-au-Prince, orchestrated by the ‘Vivre Ensemble’ coalition of armed gangs led by the powerful ex-police officer Jimmy Cherizier, alias ‘Barbecue’who demands Henry’s departure.
The bandits also tried to set fire to the Ministry of the Interior building., where they were ambushed by police officers. At least 5 vehicles parked in the parking lot and the ministry’s generator were burned.
Elections
Tension and violence have increased exponentially in the capital after it became known on February 28 that Ariel Henry had committed to holding elections before the end of August 2025, a very distant date taking into account that the prime minister had to conclude his mandate on February 7.according to a 2022 agreement.
Last Saturday, the gangs entered the two main prisons in the capital, allowing more than 3,000 prisoners to escape.
Henry, the country’s highest authority after the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moiseis now the subject of pressure inside and outside Haiti to favor a transition that will help stop the acute crisis and extreme violence in the island nation.
Haiti is awaiting the deployment of a multinational security support mission led by Kenya and approved last October by the UN Security Council. EFE
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