Santo Domingo: Five days have passed since the closure of the Dominican-Haitian border. Economists express concern about the potential economic and humanitarian impact on both countries. Many believe that this measure could have serious consequences for the Dominican Republic and Haiti, possibly causing an influx of Haitian citizens to the Dominican Republic.
Economist Andy Dauhajre believes that the Dominican government’s decision to implement a “close or let in the sea” policy could potentially lead to the collapse of Haiti. This, in turn, could force Haitians to try to enter the Dominican Republic in greater numbers. Dauhajre explained: “There are many interests and, at the end of the day, where do we want Haitians to be, on this side or that side? You can’t cause a sudden collapse; they already have a low standard of living. If my money loses its value because I have nothing to buy with it, what am I going to do? What has happened everywhere in the world is that if you don’t vote with your money, then you vote with your feet… what is voting with your feet? Well, I cross.”
Additionally, Dauhajre noted that the border closure has caused prices to increase for Haitians seeking to cross into the Dominican Republic, suggesting that someone is profiting from this situation.
Antonio Ciriaco, dean of the Faculty of Economics at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), described the border closure as a “lose-lose” policy for both nations. He noted that while the Dominican Republic has greater economic stability, Haiti is largely dependent on imports from its neighbor. Consequently, the closure could exacerbate poverty, food insecurity, and informality in Haiti, increasing pressure on the border.
Ciriaco also highlighted the economic impact, stating that the Dominican Republic is losing between 85 and 86 million dollars in exports to Haiti. Additionally, he mentioned the need for the government to subsidize livestock and poultry producers in the border provinces, which could cost three billion pesos if the closure continues for the next three months.