Violence in Haiti affects binational trade at the Dajabón border

By Manuel García

The growing violence in Haiti, especially in the community of Croix-des-Bouquets, on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, has generated concern among the population and caused repercussions in binational trade between Dajabón, Dominican Republic, and Ouanaminthe, Haiti.

According to testimonies collected in the area, the clashes between armed gangs and security forces, amidst efforts to locate several kidnapped Salvadoran citizens, have forced residents to abandon their homes to protect their lives and those of their families.

One of the citizens interviewed stated that numerous deaths have been recorded in Croix-des-Bouquets and expressed his hope that the participation of international forces will contribute to finding a solution to the crisis of violence that Haiti is going through.

Binational trade affected

Insecurity has also impacted binational trade at the Dominican-Haitian border. Merchants in Dajabón reported a decrease in sales due to the absence of buyers from Cap-Haïtien and other distant locations, who have not been attending the market as usual for fear of violent incidents.

One of the vendors explained that, up to the moment of offering his testimony, the customers who usually travel from distant areas had not yet arrived, so he maintained low expectations for an improvement in commercial activity.

Binational trade and insecurity

Given this scenario, residents and merchants hope that the insecurity situation in Haiti can be resolved and that the necessary conditions are restored for the population to travel with peace of mind and for binational trade to recover its usual pace.

The violence crisis continues to be a cause for concern for both Haitian communities and Dominican merchants who depend, in part, on the economic activity that takes place in this border area.