Dominican soldiers put boots in Haiti; The Haitian police back off amid fear

On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, the Dominican Army almost reached Haiti territory at the border in Ouanaminthe in an effort to prevent illegal entry as Haitians were nearby the Dominican Republic limit.

The protests caused traffic to stop completely and produced a chaotic atmosphere throughout the city. Footage circulated on the networks shows Dominican soldiers pointing their weapons at Haitian police and citizens. The Haitian police there had to back off due to fear.

This caused a lot of tension at the border, and some of Haitian police there called for backup amid their fear. The northeastern border city of Ouanaminthe, where an irrigation canal is being constructed, was tense due to the entry of Dominican soldiers into Haitian territory.

The Haitians locals constructing the water were upset and they reportedly used burning tires to create barriers along the roadway dividing the two nations when the Dominican soldiers entered Haitian territory.

Werley Nortreus, a Haitian politician said the Dominican Republic has its full right to protect its border from illegal entry, and he also said his fellow Haitians should stay at their limits to prevent a possibly war.

Homero Figueroa, a spokesman for the Dominican government, stated that although the situation had thankfully not become worse, the army will be increasing the number of soldiers and cars patrolling the area as a precaution.

"The Dominican government considers this action as a provocation with the aim of generating a conflict with unpredictable consequences," Figueroa said.

The building of an irrigation canal, which Santo Domingo believes is illegal, is the source of diplomatic difficulties between the two countries at the time of the incident.