Port-Au-Prince (Haiti) (Clarity Times) August 16, 2024: – Haitian leaders have made the surprising decision to boycott the inauguration of Dominican President Luis Abinader on August 16, 2024, marking a significant low in the already tense relationship between the two neighboring nations. Prime Minister Garry Conille and Edgard Leblanc Fils, head of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, declined invitations to the event in Santo Domingo, citing growing dissatisfaction with Dominican policies towards Haiti.
At the heart of the dispute is Abinader’s strict migration policies, which have led to increased deportations and visa restrictions for Haitians. These policies have deeply strained relations, particularly following the closure of Dominican airspace to commercial flights from Haiti since April. The closure, initially imposed after an armed attack near Port-au-Prince’s airport, has continued for months, with Dominican authorities renewing it every 30 days.
While the Dominican government claims the airspace remains open for official and humanitarian flights, Haitian leaders view the ongoing restrictions as emblematic of broader issues of inequality and mistrust. The situation escalated further this week when Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s plans to visit Haiti were thwarted due to the closed airspace, highlighting the broader diplomatic impact of the rift.
By choosing to send only a low-level diplomat from their embassy in Santo Domingo, Haitian authorities have signaled their deep displeasure with the current state of affairs. This diplomatic snub reflects the increasingly fraught relationship between the two nations, raising concerns about the future of bilateral cooperation on the island of Hispaniola.
