Frida, as part of operations that led the Dominican Navy against illegal fishing and poaching in Dominican territorial waters by Haitian fishermen, many Haitian boat fisheries were seized and 4 fishermen have been arrested in the Pedernales area. An operation that led to a violent confrontation in the border area between the Haitian population and CESFRONT (Cuerpo Especializado de Seguridad Fronteriza Terrestre), preventing the holding of binational market, which is held every Monday and Friday.

The Haitians who accused the Dominicans of having destroyed their boats demonstrated outside the Dominican Consulate in the town of Anse-à-Pitre, throwing stones and burning tires, preventing 6 Consulate staff to out, demanding the immediate release of the four fishermen. During the riot, the Haitians took hostage for several hours 3 Dominican soldiers and 2 civilians : Erickson Hernandez and Wilson Pérez. Protesters in Haiti, blocked the road on their side in retaliation, stopping the flow of Dominicans and all vehicles in the area.

A group of protesters clashed with members of CESFRONT and the Dominican population by throwing stones. The National Police of Haiti (PNH) together with the CESFRONT have intervened to restore calm with difficulty... Several shots were reported by witnesses. General Carlos Aguirre of CESFRONT confirmed the incident and said there had been no reports of injuries.

The police authorities of the two countries negotiated to find a solution to the conflict. The 4 Haitian fishermen arrested were finally handed over to to the PNH. The hostages were released by protesters and the 6 employees hostage of Consulates under the protection of the PNH, could safely return to the Dominican Republic.

Following this incident, the CESFRONT and the Dominican army have increased security in the border area to prevent further clashes.

SL/ HaitiLibre