The Dominican Republic’s border wall with Haiti is 84% complete, with a projected completion date in February 2025. The project features advanced surveillance technology and aims to control immigration and trafficking. The wall’s final phase will include additional structures for enhanced security.
The construction of the border wall between the Dominican Republic and Haiti is progressing, with the first phase reported as 84% complete. This phase encompasses provinces including Montecristi, Dajabón, Elías Piña, Independencia, and Pedernales, and is projected for completion by February 2025. According to José Ignacio Paliza, the Minister of the Presidency, the project thus far has incurred a cost of $32 million of a total budget of $39.5 million, excluding the technological enhancements that are intended to accompany the wall.
The wall’s integral features will include a range of advanced surveillance technologies such as radar, motion detectors, high-definition cameras equipped with night vision and infrared capabilities, alongside a fleet of surveillance drones. These measures are designed to enhance the border’s security, with all data being relayed to central control centers in real time. In light of the progress achieved, Paliza announced plans to initiate a tender for the wall’s second phase, which will extend approximately 110 kilometers.
The finalized structure of the wall is expected to feature 170 surveillance towers and checkpoints, coupled with 71 regulated access gates. In critical areas, the wall will be constructed doubly fortified. This infrastructure project, which began in 2021, aims to mitigate irregular immigration and curb trafficking in drugs, arms, and goods, thereby bolstering the security of the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic shares a historically complex and tense relationship with Haiti, as both nations inhabit the island of Hispaniola and share a border measuring 391,654 meters. The establishment of this wall reflects a significant shift in the Dominican Republic’s border control strategy and underscores its commitment to enhancing national security.
The construction of the border wall represents the Dominican Republic’s response to longstanding challenges related to immigration and security stemming from its complex relationship with Haiti. Over the years, the two nations have faced numerous issues related to boundary control, smuggling, and violence, prompting the Dominican government to take significant measures to reinforce its borders. The current projects aim not only to improve surveillance but also to manage the flow of migration and deter illegal activities. The strategic significance of this wall lies in its potential to reshape cross-border dynamics and enhance the Dominican Republic’s territorial integrity.
The Dominican Republic’s border wall project with Haiti reflects an ambitious endeavor to strengthen national security and manage immigration effectively. With advanced surveillance technologies planned, the wall aims to address complex security issues while also serving as a physical manifestation of the Dominican Republic’s commitment to controlling its borders. As the first phase nears completion, the project represents not only infrastructural development but also a critical step in addressing historical tensions between the two nations.
Original Source: www.haitilibre.com
