Current:Home > FinanceHaitian officials meet in Dominican Republic to prevent border closings over canal dispute-InfoLens
Haitian officials meet in Dominican Republic to prevent border closings over canal dispute
View Date:2024-12-23 15:56:31
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Haiti’s government announced that it met Wednesday with Dominican officials in the Dominican Republic to talk about a recent threat by that country’s president to close all borders in response to a row over the construction of a supposed canal.
The brief statement by Haiti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not provide much detail, except to say that both sides were trying to find a “fair and definitive” solution to squabbles over the use of the Massacre River that runs along the border both countries share on the island of Hispaniola.
Dominican officials have not commented on the apparent meeting.
Simmering tensions between Haiti and the Dominican Republic deepened on Monday when Dominican President Luis Abinader announced that he had suspended issuing visas to Haitians and threatened to shut down land, air and sea traffic if the conflict over the canal wasn’t resolved before Thursday.
The excavation of a supposed canal on Haitian soil began recently, but it wasn’t clear who, if anyone, authorized the digging. It already prompted Abinader to shut the border last week near the northern town of Dajabon, an economic lifeline for Haitians who buy and sell goods there several times a week.
Dominican officials claim that the canal would divert water from the Massacre River and hurt farmers and the environment. The river is named after a bloody battle between French and Spanish colonizers in the 18th century.
The Dominican Republic last fully closed its border with Haiti following the July 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. Since then, it has at times closed parts of the border for security.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- 12 college students charged with hate crimes after assault in Maryland
- Oppenheimer wins top prize at Screen Actors Guild Awards
- Bow Down to Anne Hathaway's Princess Diaries-Inspired Look at the 2024 SAG Awards
- Border Patrol releases hundreds of migrants at a bus stop after San Diego runs out of aid money
- Karol G addresses backlash to '+57' lyric: 'I still have a lot to learn'
- Barbra Streisand Will Make You Believe in Movie Magic with SAG Life Achievement Speech
- Sister Wives' Meri Brown and Amos Andrews Break Up
- Proof Reese Witherspoon Has TikToker Campbell Pookie Puckett on the Brain at 2024 SAG Awards
- Jenn Tran's Ex Devin Strader Throws Shade At Her DWTS Partner Sasha Farber Amid Romance Rumors
- MLB jersey controversy is strangely similar to hilarious 'Seinfeld' plotline
Ranking
- Mike Tyson emerges as heavyweight champ among product pitchmen before Jake Paul fight
- Inexpensive Clothing Basics on Amazon that Everyone Needs in Their Wardrobe STAT
- Honor for Chris Chelios in Patrick Kane's Chicago return is perfect for Detroit Red Wings
- What are sound baths and why do some people swear by them?
- Pete Alonso's best free agent fits: Will Mets bring back Polar Bear?
- 2024 SAG Awards: Josh Hartnett Turns Attention to Oppenheimer Costars During Rare Interview
- Oppenheimer wins top prize at Screen Actors Guild Awards
- Why AP called South Carolina for Trump: Race call explained
Recommendation
-
Darren Criss on why playing a robot in 'Maybe Happy Ending' makes him want to cry
-
Lunar New Year parade held in Manhattan’s Chinatown
-
Chemours and DuPont Knew About Risks But Kept Making Toxic PFAS Chemicals, UN Human Rights Advisors Conclude
-
New Demands to Measure Emissions Raise Cautious Hopes in Pennsylvania Among Environmental Sleuths Who Monitor Fracking Sites
-
Kyle Richards Swears This Holiday Candle Is the Best Scent Ever and She Uses It All Year
-
Wildfires are killing California's ancient giants. Can seedlings save the species?
-
2024 SAG Awards: Carey Mulligan Reveals What She Learned From Bradley Cooper
-
From Brie Larson to Selena Gomez: The best celebrity fashion on the SAG Awards red carpet