Dominican Consulates In Haiti Await Better Security Conditions

The Dominican Republic and Haiti have agreed to work toward restoring Dominican consular services in Haiti, with both governments making clear that operations will resume only when security conditions allow them to function normally. The issue was discussed Thursday during a bilateral meeting in Dajabón, a Dominican border province, involving the foreign ministers of both countries.

The meeting at the Codevi Industrial Park brought together Dominican Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó Haza and Haiti’s Foreign Minister Raina Forbin for talks covering consular operations, border security, migration and trade. A joint statement issued after the meeting said both sides want consular services restored at the earliest possible opportunity, subject to adequate security guarantees.

Security Remains A Condition For Reopening

The future of the Dominican consulates in Haiti has become closely tied to the security situation in Haitian territory. The deterioration of security has disrupted normal diplomatic and consular activity, affecting people who depend on those services for administrative and other procedures.

Rather than setting a specific reopening date, the two governments linked the restoration of operations to conditions on the ground. The approach leaves the timing dependent on whether individual jurisdictions can provide the level of security required for consular personnel and the public.

The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation on border security and migration management. Greater coordination in these areas is particularly relevant along the shared border, where cross-border movement and trade remain important elements of the relationship between the neighboring Caribbean nations.

Dominican Republic Backs International Security Efforts

Another major issue discussed in Dajabón was international support for efforts to restore security in Haiti. The Dominican and Haitian delegations agreed to continue working with the international community to support the full deployment of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti and seek renewal of its mandate through the United Nations Security Council.

Bisonó said the Dominican government is aligned on measures intended to strengthen bilateral relations and indicated that President Luis Abinader supports initiatives aimed at improving security and strengthening Haitian institutions. The joint statement said the international security effort is intended to help restore stability, reinforce Haitian institutions and create conditions for sustainable peace.

Trade And Investment Also On The Bilateral Agenda

Economic relations were another focus of the meeting, with both governments expressing interest in moving toward more formalized trade and creating conditions that encourage investment and productive activity on both sides of the border.

After the official talks, the foreign ministers met with business representatives, who highlighted the potential for new productive activities, job creation and stronger economic ties between the two countries. The discussions also identified expanded air connectivity as a priority within the bilateral agenda.

The economic dimension is significant because the Dominican Republic and Haiti maintain longstanding commercial links despite the political and security challenges affecting the relationship. Greater formalization of cross-border commerce would be aimed at strengthening regulated economic activity while improving coordination between the two countries.

Dialogue To Continue

The meeting did not result in the signing of specific agreements, but both delegations committed to keeping bilateral dialogue and cooperation mechanisms active. The next steps will include continued work on security, migration, trade, consular services and international efforts related to Haiti’s security situation.

For Dominicans and Haitians who rely on diplomatic services, the reopening of Dominican consulates will ultimately depend on whether security conditions improve enough to permit normal operations. Until then, the two governments are maintaining the issue within a broader effort to stabilize and strengthen their bilateral relationship.