DR asks the UN to accelerate anti-gang mission in Haiti

New York, United States.– The Dominican Republic called on the international community this Monday to expedite actions to strengthen the security mission deployed in Haiti, considering that the progress of this initiative is key to regaining territorial control and allowing for the institutional reconstruction of the neighboring country.

During a session of the United Nations Security Council, the Dominican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Álvarez, expressed the Government’s support for the continuation of the mandate of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and the UN Support Office in Haiti.

Álvarez highlighted that, although progress has been made with the creation of these structures and the start of operations, there are still challenges that must be addressed quickly, especially to achieve the full deployment of the personnel and resources committed by the international community.

The Dominican official pointed out that the lack of strategic air transport represents one of the main obstacles to expanding the mission’s operational capacity, which is why he called for overcoming these logistical limitations to respond to the security crisis affecting the Haitian people.

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“A logistical difficulty cannot become a barrier to protecting a nation that needs urgent support,” stated the foreign minister.

The minister stated that security must be the first step for Haiti to regain its democratic stability and move towards organizing legitimate elections.

“It will not be the elections that generate security; it will be security that allows elections to be held,” maintained Álvarez.

During his speech, he also advocated for strengthening sanctions against those responsible for financing and sustaining criminal structures, including those who facilitate weapons, economic resources, or support to the armed gangs operating in Haitian territory.

Likewise, he highlighted the importance of continuing to support the Haitian National Police, the judicial system, and state institutions, considering that the international presence should serve as an impetus for Haiti to regain its capacity to govern itself.

“An international force can contribute to recovering spaces, but it will be the strengthened Haitian institutions that will be responsible for maintaining those advances,” he indicated.

At the end of his participation, Álvarez reiterated that the Dominican Republic will continue to support international efforts aimed at stabilizing Haiti and called for moving from agreements to the effective execution of the measures approved by the Security Council.

The chancellor was accompanied by Ambassador Wellington Bencosme, permanent representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations.