U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader held a closed-door meeting on September 6, 2024, where they addressed key issues including economic cooperation, human rights, and regional security. However, the escalating crisis in Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, dominated their discussions.

Blinken’s visit to the Dominican Republic came a day after his stop in Haiti, where he expressed U.S. support for a United Nations-backed mission led by Kenya to combat gang violence in the troubled nation. In his meeting with Abinader, Blinken acknowledged the Dominican president’s concerns about the ongoing instability in Haiti, which has been plagued by violence and unrest.

President Abinader emphasized his government’s worries regarding the apparent lack of resources for the international mission in Haiti. He also highlighted the significant security challenges posed by the thousands of inmates who escaped from two major prisons earlier this year during coordinated gang attacks. These developments have further destabilized the already fragile situation in Haiti.

The crisis in Haiti has had a direct impact on the Dominican Republic, leading to a surge in the number of Haitian immigrants attempting to cross the border. Abinader pointed out that this influx has overwhelmed the Dominican Republic’s schools and hospitals, stretching the country’s resources to their limits.

Following their meeting, Blinken and Abinader addressed the press, reaffirming their commitment to collaborate on economic growth and regional stability. Both leaders underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing the challenges facing Haiti and Venezuela, stressing that a coordinated effort is essential for ensuring long-term peace and prosperity in the region.