Abinader warns Haitian gangs against approaching Dominican Republic border
Key Points(5)
- Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has warned armed gangs operating in Haiti that they will face severe consequences if they approach the country's border, as his government strengthens military deployments and surveillance along the frontier.
- Speaking to reporters, Abinader said Dominican authorities had increased security measures, particularly in the southern border region, where armed groups are active.
- "We have significantly strengthened the border, particularly in the south, where gangs operate.
- This reinforcement includes an increase in personnel, as well as the deployment of armored vehicles and equipment," he said.
- The president said security operations also include aerial surveillance and the use of drones to monitor movements near the border.
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has warned armed gangs operating in Haiti that they will face severe consequences if they approach the country's border, as his government strengthens military deployments and surveillance along the frontier.
Speaking to reporters, Abinader said Dominican authorities had increased security measures, particularly in the southern border region, where armed groups are active.
"We have significantly strengthened the border, particularly in the south, where gangs operate. This reinforcement includes an increase in personnel, as well as the deployment of armored vehicles and equipment," he said.
The president said security operations also include aerial surveillance and the use of drones to monitor movements near the border.
"We have aircraft flying over the border, armored vehicles stationed nearby, and we also have drones at our disposal," he said.
Abinader warned that Dominican forces would treat any gang members approaching the border as terrorists, adding that authorities were prepared to respond to any threat to the country's territorial security.
"We will treat them as what they are: terrorists, if they approach the border," he said. He added that the armed groups could expect to "have a very, very bad time" if they attempted to approach.
The Dominican leader also disclosed that he had spoken with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele about possible cooperation in efforts to counter armed groups in Haiti.
He said his administration was in contact with El Salvador's Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and was prepared to provide logistical support and intelligence sharing. However, Abinader did not specify what resources the Dominican Republic would contribute or outline the precise scope of the proposed cooperation.
He stressed that the Dominican Republic was not planning to deploy its troops to participate directly in operations inside Haiti.
Abinader also addressed concerns about a possible increase in Haitian migration into the Dominican Republic as violence continues to destabilise the neighbouring country. He said authorities had so far observed no signs of increased border crossings linked to the security situation.
"What we are observing is that several specific locations in Haiti, where these terrorists are based, are set to be targeted by Haitian security forces," he said.
The president maintained that Dominican security forces remained vigilant and prepared for any developments, while noting that the armed groups had not approached the border at the time of his remarks.
The Dominican Republic shares a 391-kilometre land border with Haiti, where armed gangs have expanded their territorial control and contributed to a prolonged security crisis.
The proposed cooperation with El Salvador comes as regional and international efforts continue to strengthen Haiti's security forces and contain gang violence.
