President Luis Abinader regarding the conflict between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, due to the construction of an irrigation canal in Haiti with water intake on the Massacre River, reiterated during his weekly press conference, that the Dominican Government does not seek or want any type of conflict with Haiti, "We neither sought nor wanted this conflict, but it was presented to us and we had to act [...] there was no other alternative to maintain national security". He stressed that the closure of the maritime, air and land border was for some, an "arbitrary and drastic" measure, but he defended it and described it as "necessary".

Abinader believes that Haiti should have another way of acting with the Dominicans, because of the solidarity that the Dominican Republic maintains with the neighboring country and "which has supported Haiti so much [...]"

Concerning the place at the dialogue table, he declared that his Government remains "open to dialogue" with Haiti to see how water is distributed equitably" and address the question of the construction of the canal but he reiterated that so that this happens, Haiti must first suspend its work.

Abinader said he would consider relaxing some of the measures against Haiti (without specifying which ones) in the coming weeks "After putting the La Vigía canal urgently in service. In two or three weeks we will see the possibility of relaxing certain measures. I'll tell you from now on, the Dominican border will never be the same. It will never be the same again depending on these events but also the situations that will arise in Haiti."

S/ HaitiLibre