HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

November 8, 2010. Tensions high on border as troops stop protesting Haitians from entering Dominican Republic

SOURCE: Altegrity Risk International

The Dominican Republic deployed troops to Dajabon, on the border with Haiti, on November 4th in an effort to step up border security measures in light of a cholera outbreak in the neighboring country. Authorities are requiring all Haitians who enter the country to undergo a health screening. These measures sparked a protest by Haitian nationals on the Haitian side of Massacre River, across from Dajabon. The protesters demanded that the cross-border markets be reopened days after Dominican Republic security forces shut them down over health concerns. Witnesses reported that protesters threatened to force their way across the border, but troops are manned at the border armed with tear gas canisters and assault rifles. No shots have been fired, but tensions remain high.