Haiti: violence in Croix-des-Bouquets hits binational trade on the Dajabón border

Dajabón, Dominican Republic — Violence in Haiti, especially in the community of Croix-des-Bouquets, on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, is already being felt in binational trade on the Dominican northern border: merchants in Dajabón report falling sales because buyers who usually travel from Cap-Haïtien and other distant areas are not reaching the market as usual, for fear of violent incidents.

According to accounts gathered in the area by the newspaper De Último Minuto, clashes between armed gangs and security forces, amid efforts to locate several kidnapped Salvadoran citizens, have forced residents of Croix-des-Bouquets to leave their homes to protect their lives and those of their families.

One vendor interviewed explained that, at the time of his account, regular customers from distant areas had still not arrived, so he held low expectations of any improvement in business. Merchants and residents hope conditions are restored so people can travel safely and binational trade can recover its usual pace.

The episode adds to a week of high tension around Haiti: El Salvador reinforced its military presence on Haitian soil to support the search for its missing soldiers, and the Dominican Republic maintains border surveillance, with a reinforced military presence at strategic points, according to authorities.

For communities on both sides of the border, the binational market of Dajabón and Ouanaminthe is more than trade: it is the livelihood of hundreds of families who depend on buyers being able to cross and return without risk.

Photo: EFE / Mentor David Lorens

Source: De Último Minuto