SANTO DOMINGO – Dominican President Luis Abinader has publicly addressed recent claims of diplomatic pressure from the United States concerning border management with crisis-stricken Haiti. The remarks came during his weekly press briefing at the National Palace, directly responding to assertions by U.S. Ambassador Leah F. Campos that the Biden administration had urged the Dominican Republic to maintain an open border during periods of heightened tension.
President Abinader provided critical context by referencing the 2022 Summit of the Americas, where the U.S. administration proposed a comprehensive regional migration pact. While the agreement garnered signatures from all other attending nations, the Dominican Republic stood as the sole dissenter. Abinader articulated that this decisive action was a reflection of the nation’s unique and precarious security situation stemming from the protracted political and humanitarian crisis in neighboring Haiti.
Emphatically reiterating his government’s stance, the President underscored the principle of national sovereignty in determining border policy. He clarified that while international cooperation is valued, the Dominican Republic’s decisions are made independently, prioritizing national security interests and the well-being of its citizens over external expectations or diplomatic suggestions. This firm position highlights the complex challenges faced by Caribbean nations in balancing regional diplomacy with domestic security imperatives.