While the men of the "G9" gangs have been blocking the main oil terminal in Varreux (Cité Soleil) for more than 30 days, paralyzing Haiti, and causing a severe shortage of fuel, the fuel crisis is spreading in the Dominican Republic, along the border area, giving rise to a veritable oil products smuggling industry.

"It is a worrying situation because it is not only Haitians who cross to buy gasoline to supply the black market [...] now, many Dominicans traffic gasoline," declared Santiago Riverón mayor from the border town of Dajabón

Dominicans and Haitians buy subsidized fuel at Dominican border towns at US$5 a gallon (3.78 liters) and smuggle it into Haiti, where a gallon can fetch US$50 on the black market.

"This has caused temporary fuel shortages in Dominican gas stations and long queues of angry consumers, sales have more than doubled in Dajabón" lamented Mayor Riverón, despite the militarization of gas stations https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37536-haiti-dr-all-gas-stations-in-dajabon-under-military-control.html

Jhonny, a Haitian who lives in the border town of Pedernales, in the south of the Dominican Republic, explained that the poorest populations have taken advantage of the increase in fuel prices and spend their days carrying gasoline across the border on motorcycles "Many fill up their motorcycles at the gas station, then return home to Haiti, empty their tank and accumulate gallons, then start again.."

Just over 3 weeks ago the agents of CECCOM, the Dominican organization specialized in the control of the trade of fuels and goods, intercepted and seized more than 8,000 gallons of fuel during various operations carried out in the provinces of Elías Piña, Montecristi and Dajabón https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-37784-icihaiti-contraband-more-than-8-000-gallons-of-fuel-seized-at-the-dominican-border.html . At the beginning of the month Specialized Land Border Security Corps (CESFRONT) intercepted in the province of Elías Piña a shipment of 49 barrels of 55 gallons intended for the Haitian black market. Seizures that have increased in intensity over the past six weeks.

As trade in goods such as flour, meat and eggs between the two countries has been reduced by the crisis in Haiti, many are being smuggled.

"The only real solution to the crisis in Haiti is international intervention," believes Riverón.

Se also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-37784-icihaiti-contraband-more-than-8-000-gallons-of-fuel-seized-at-the-dominican-border.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-37779-icihaiti-dr-seizure-of-2-695-gallons-of-contraband-gasoline-bound-for-haiti.html

SL/ HaitiLibre