US Embassy warns Americans traveling in 2 countries.
The U.S. Department of State Issues Travel Warning for Dominican Republic and Haiti
The U.S. Department of State has recently issued a travel warning for American citizens traveling between the Dominican Republic and Haiti following a border closure announcement last week.
In a bulletin, the U.S. Embassy released a “security alert” stating that U.S. citizens planning to depart Haiti for the Dominican Republic on or after September 14 will not be able to do so and will need to make alternate arrangements. The embassy also warned that it cannot facilitate entry into the Dominican Republic through a closed border crossing.
The bulletin clarified that flights from Haiti to the United States and other destinations are still operating normally.
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This travel warning comes after the State Department previously urged Americans to leave Haiti immediately due to the country’s deteriorating security situation, with criminal gangs taking control of large areas. The warning cited kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor healthcare infrastructure as reasons for concern.
On July 27, the State Department ordered the departure of family members of government employees and non-emergency government staffers.
In a televised speech, Dominican Republican President Luis Abinader announced the closure of the Haiti border, including air, sea, and land traffic, due to a dispute over the construction of a canal that would utilize water from the Massacre River to alleviate a drought in Haiti. President Abinader suggested that high-ranking gang members in Haiti were attempting to steal the water.
President Abinader stated, “We do not desire or seek confrontation, but we are confronting the uncontrollable people who keep Haiti insecure, and who, due to their private interests, now also conspire against the stability of their government and the security of our water resources.”
The full border shutdowns occurred four days after President Abinader announced the suspension of visa issuance to Haitians and the closure of the border near the town of Dajabon. He emphasized the need to raise awareness in the international community for assistance to Haiti.
Haiti’s government has condemned the Dominican Republic’s decision to close all borders while both sides were in discussions to find a solution. However, Haiti has expressed support for the canal project.
During his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly, President Abinader explained that the border closure aimed to protect his country from armed criminal gangs in Haiti, which is considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
President Abinader said, “What we are doing is to protect our country from the bands and the gangs that are in part of the territory, political extremism that does not respect even the Haitian government. As president of the Dominican Republic, I have to protect our country and I hope they stop the construction of the canal and we can have a solution.”
Haiti has also requested assistance in combating the surge in gang violence, with the United States planning to submit a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing Kenya’s offer to lead a multinational police force. However, no resolution has been submitted yet.
Meanwhile, a prominent Haitian gang leader, Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizer, has vowed to fight against any foreign force deployed to the country, stating, “We will fight against them until our last breath. It will be a fight of the Haitian people to save the dignity of our country.”
Haiti has been in a state of chaos and anarchy since the assassination of former President Jovenel Moise in July 2021. Three Haitian Americans and a Colombian have been charged in connection with the case.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
How does the closure of the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic affect travel plans for American citizens?
The U.S. Department of State has recently issued a travel warning for American citizens traveling between the Dominican Republic and Haiti following a border closure announcement last week.
In a bulletin, the U.S. Embassy released a “security alert” stating that U.S. citizens planning to depart Haiti for the Dominican Republic on or after September 14 will not be able to do so and will need to make alternate arrangements. The embassy also warned that it cannot facilitate entry into the Dominican Republic through a closed border crossing.
The bulletin clarified that flights from Haiti to the United States and other destinations are still operating normally.
This travel warning comes after the State Department previously urged Americans to leave Haiti immediately due to the country’s deteriorating security situation, with criminal gangs taking control of large areas. The warning cited kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor healthcare infrastructure as reasons for concern.
On July 27, the State Department ordered the departure of family members of government employees and non-emergency government staffers.
In a televised speech, Dominican Republican President Luis Abinader announced the closure of the Haiti border, including air, sea, and land traffic, due to a dispute over the construction of a canal that would utilize water from the Massacre River to alleviate a drought in Haiti. President Abinader suggested that high-ranking gang members in Haiti were attempting to steal the water.
President Abinader stated, “We do not desire or seek confrontation, but we are confronting the uncontrollable people who keep Haiti insecure, and who, due to their private interests, now also conspire against the stability of their government and the security of our water resources.”
The situation in Haiti and the Dominican Republic remains tense, with the closure of the border impacting travel plans for American citizens. The U.S. Department of State’s travel warning serves as a reminder for individuals to exercise caution and consider alternate arrangements when traveling between the two countries.
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