Sunday, tension rose in border communities of Haiti and the Dominican Republic following a new incident involving Charles de León, a Dominican truck driver who, after being hit by a stone thrown by Haitian protesters in the city of Ouanaminthe (north of Haiti) lost control of his vehicle and killed a young girl.

Agents of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) arrested the Dominican driver. According to the version of his colleagues, the PNH refused to lead the driver to a medical center in order he receive medical care following his assault in Haiti. In response to this situation, the carriers blocked the main road leading to the bilateral market of Dajabón (northwest) and demanded the release of their compatriot.

The Governor of Dajabón, Ramona Rodríguez, the mayor Miguel Tatis, Colonel Francisco Columbus, Police Commander, Santiago Gómez, Head of "Cuerpo de Seguridad Fronteriza Terrestre" CESFRONT of the area and the Dominican Vice-consul in Ouanaminthe, Marciano Mateo Espinosa, Sunday convened an emergency meeting with the drivers to discuss the situation at the border.

In addition, Dajabón police authorities indicated that they were working with their counterparts in Haiti, trying to find a way to get out amicably of social conflict that have arisen over the last three days in Haiti, in Fort Liberté, Ouanaminthe and other Haitian border villages where Haitian population requires electricity, drinking water, repairs street and the Haitian authorities reduce taxes on products purchased in the Dominican Republic.

Furthermore, last Thursday, 7 Dominican drivers who had been attacked and forcibly detained by Haitian protesters are ultimately returned Saturday in the Dominican Republic following the efforts of the Dominican authorities, and after being delivered by the members of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

SL/ HaitiLibre