Dominican Republic expands border fence with Haiti amid security push
Key Points(5)
- The Dominican Republic has begun constructing a 14.5-kilometre section of perimeter fence along its southern border with Haiti as part of efforts to strengthen border security and combat smuggling.
- The country’s Ministry of Defence on Saturday said the structure, being built in the Hoya de Enriquillo area of Independencia province, will stand 3.9 metres, or 13 feet, high and will include six watchtowers and 35 culverts.
- Latest News, News, Videos Market Bag: Sweet pepper hits $600, lettuce $1k as drought sends prices higher September 4, 2026 The ministry described the location as one of the most important points along the border.
- It said authorities have faced decades-long challenges involving the illegal movement of goods through the area.
- Independencia is also home to one of the main binational markets.
The Dominican Republic has begun construction of a new 14.5-kilometer section of its perimeter fence along the border with Haiti as part of efforts to strengthen security and combat smuggling.
The Ministry of Defense said Saturday that the new section is being built in the Hoya de Enriquillo area of Independencia province and will stand 3.9 meters, or about 13 feet, high. It will include six watchtowers and 35 culverts.
Authorities described the area as one of the most important points along the border, where officials have faced decades-long challenges involving the illegal movement of goods.
Independencia is also home to one of the main binational markets between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The government said the new infrastructure is intended to curb smuggling and other illegal activities while promoting safer and more orderly cross-border trade.
The project will include patrol lanes on both sides of the fence with a combined width of seven meters. Officials said the lanes will improve surveillance and military mobility and allow security personnel to respond more quickly to incidents.
Construction is part of the second phase of the government's “Strong Border” project, which includes similar sections previously built in Jimaní.
Approximately 55 kilometers of fencing have already been constructed, including 38 kilometers along the northern border and other sections in Elías Piña, Independencia and Pedernales.
Defense Minister Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre said the broader border security project also includes 1,500 solar-powered lights, fiber-optic connections, smart cameras and a drone network operated from the ministry's control center.
About 11,000 military personnel have also been deployed along the border, supported by additional surveillance equipment.
The latest construction comes as the Dominican government continues an immigration enforcement program announced in October 2024 that set a target of repatriating up to 10,000 undocumented Haitians per week.
According to official figures, Dominican authorities deported 250,429 undocumented Haitians between January and July this year as neighboring Haiti continues to grapple with a prolonged political, security and humanitarian crisis.
