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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.”

A vehicle set on fire by protesters⁤ burns during a⁣ demonstration against insecurity in‌ Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on‌ Aug. 7, 2023. (Odelyn Joseph/AP Photo)

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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