The Dominican Republic suspended the issuance of visas to citizens of Haiti as of Monday, and is considering closing its border following a conflict over water access. The dispute centers on Haiti’s construction of a canal, leading to concerns about diverting water from the Dajabón River.
Recognized for its paramount importance within the Dominican Republic’s territory, the Dajabón River underpins the local economy and agriculture. The river’s sources are vital to the growth of coffee, cocoa, and tobacco, and support certain factory operations.
The Dominican Republic has stated that Haiti’s canal construction is uncoordinated with local authorities, with individual Haitian citizens acting without collective approval. If the conflict remains unresolved by Thursday, the Dominican Republic plans to close off all trade involving air, land, and water routes.
The Dominican Republic suggests that the official Haitian government is struggling to maintain control in the region due to the influence of criminal organizations. According to some research, there has been a surge in banditry and violent crimes following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Furthermore, it is widely recognized that federal elections have not been held in recent years in Haiti, allowing criminal organizations to consolidate power. More than half of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, is unofficially controlled by criminal gangs, as per a recent United Nations assessment.
If the Dominican Republic cuts off economic relations as threatened, the impacts on Haiti could be severe, given its heavy reliance on Dominican imports. However, this move would also impact the Dominican Republic negatively. According to 2017 estimates from the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, trade volume was approximately $430 million, with only $330 million earned through exports to Haiti.