Far from the violence ravaging Haiti, a market on the border with the Dominican Republic has maintained a welcome degree of normal everyday life.
At the Dajabon border gate, a wave of Haitians press forward, eager to shop at the twice-weekly market about 200km from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
They are drawn by the market’s offerings — food, clothing, toys and even used appliances — items not always readily available in Haiti.
Photo: AFP
However, with gang violence bad and growing ever worse in Haiti, the Dominican government has reinforced the usual military presence at the border and placed soldiers on alert.
While the market continues to function, the authorities and merchants fear business might suffer as the gangs that control large swaths of Haiti make travel in the country risky, with people subject to being robbed or attacked.
“The market has seen a decline” in the past month, with customers “afraid to buy a large volume of merchandise” lest they be robbed on their way home, said Noel Fernandez, the president of a merchants’ association.
Photo: AFP
“The gangs there take the stuff, but thanks to God, although we’re not at 100 percent, the market is open,” said the 36-year-old, a merchant in the area for much of his life.
The Haitian gangs have waged violent opposition to the government of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
The government of the far more stable Dominican Republic next door has been building a 174km wall along the border with Haiti since 2022 in an effort to control migration from its neighbor.
In Dajabon, hundreds of Haitians pass through the border gates on Mondays and Fridays, when passage to the binational market is free.
As part of their security measures, Dominican authorities established separate corridors for men and women to enter. Guards use a biometric system to verify visitors’ identities.
The additional security measures were implemented because of “the issue our neighboring country is currently experiencing,” said Morlin Fabian Tolentino, commander of a specialized border security unit.
Dominican merchants said they feel safe and have suffered “no inconvenience.”
“The security is good” because of the “rigorous” border controls, 42-year-old merchant Juan Osoria said.
People in Dajabon “are more concerned with trade” than any security challenge, said Mayor Santiago Riveron, even while confirming a drop in demand at the market as the Haitian crisis has grown worse.
Still, Haitians continue to walk through the colorful market, eyeing merchandise and pushing wheelbarrows or carrying baskets they hope to load with goods.
Dominicans operating market stalls are happy to see that.
“Thank God it is happening,” said 45-year-old Arcadio Ramirez, a fruit vendor. “It lets us make a living.”
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