Santo Domingo.- A canal constructed on the Dajabón River has caused tensions between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. This episode has united Haiti in frustration over years of crises, while generating grievances from the Dominican Republic unrelated to its people.
The Dominican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Álvarez, discussed the situation during a Business Lunch organized by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (Amchamdr). He highlighted how the crisis in Haiti and its impact on the Dominican Republic has caused fatigue and turned a one-time dispute into a symbol of a dysfunctional relationship. Álvarez emphasized the lack of an effective interlocutor on the Haitian side, aggravating the situation.
He denounced Haiti’s false accusation that Dominicans are unwilling to share binational waters, calling it a fallacy that confuses the Haitian population and is unfair to the Dominican Republic.
Álvarez expressed hope that Haiti will fulfill its obligation to receive the technical mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) to address the differences between the two countries concerning the Treaty of Peace and Perpetual Friendship and Arbitration of 1929. He stressed that the Dominican Republic respects the fair and equitable use of shared water resources but opposes the construction of the Haitian canal due to concerns about ecological and human consequences.
Álvarez also highlighted the diplomatic achievements of the Dominican Republic and its improved relations with Caribbean countries. He mentioned that the country will host the Tenth Summit of the Americas in late 2025, involving the visit of leaders from across the continent.
The Amchamdr business lunch brought together various stakeholders, including businessmen, politicians, media directors, and special guests, to discuss these important diplomatic and regional issues.