The government of the Dominican Republic issued a warning on Monday, stating that it cannot offer additional aid to its neighbor Haiti due to the worsening situation of violence and deprivation in recent months.

During its appearance before the UN Security Council on Monday, Dominican Republic’s Foreign Minister, Roberto Álvarez, asserted that his country cannot extend further assistance to Haiti without jeopardizing the stability of the Dominican Republic.

“Despite the sacrifices involved, the Dominican Republic has maintained solidarity with Haiti. However, we cannot exceed our material capabilities, much less adopt measures that threaten the stability and security of our country. We simply will not allow it, no matter who requests it,” stated Álvarez before the council on Haitian affairs.

The Foreign Minister also urged the UN Security Council to identify and sanction those responsible for the violence in Haiti.

“If the sanctions regime is not rigorously applied, if there are no consequences, the actors behind the financing of criminal gangs could derail the delicate political process that Haiti is undertaking,” noted the Dominican Republic’s Foreign Minister in a statement.

The Dominican Republic’s stance underscores the delicate balance between providing assistance to Haiti and safeguarding its own stability amid escalating violence and instability in the neighboring nation. The call for stricter measures from the international community reflects growing concerns about the repercussions of unchecked violence in Haiti on regional security and stability.

As Haiti grapples with ongoing challenges, including political unrest and economic turmoil, the Dominican Republic’s position highlights the complexities of cross-border relations and the imperative for coordinated international efforts to address the root causes of instability in the region.