Luis Abinader reacts to accusations of racism and makes a plea to Donald Trump

“That’s the most absurd thing we’ve ever seen. We haven’t even wanted to fight it, because it’s so absurd . This is a mixed-race country , where there’s never been a racial problem , only small groups talking about it,” the Dominican president said during an interview with Fox News.

He explained that, due to the increase in attacks perpetrated by armed gangs in Haiti, the Dominican Republic has been forced to tighten immigration controls to protect its population.

“Faced with these groups of criminals, drug traffickers, extortionists , and a whole menu of illegalities, we had to close the border and also build a wall, which is now 54 kilometers long and we are expanding it to 70 kilometers . It’s a security issue ; we believe in organized migration, but the case of Haiti is very special . It’s a case in which we have to take measures to protect the citizenry , which is what our citizens voted for ,” Abinader said.

The president emphasized that, beyond racial or political conflicts, there are economic and cultural differences between the Dominican Republic and its neighboring countries. He also noted that his government was the first to declare Haitian criminal gangs terrorist organizations.

“The case of the Dominican Republic with Haiti is very special. We have an economic and cultural difference , and it’s a country where there are not only political problems, but a part of its population in part of its territory has been captured by gangs, drug trafficking criminals. The Dominican Republic was the first country to declare them terrorists when they aimed and fired at civilian airplanes. Later, the Trump administration also declared those groups terrorists,” he said.

Asks Donald Trump to visit the Dominican Republic

President Luis Abinader reiterated his interest in having his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, visit the Dominican Republic and participate in the 10th Summit of the Americas, scheduled to take place in Santo Domingo in early December.

«We want him to visit the Dominican Republic , because we are going to have the Summit of the Americas in the first week of December. I mentioned it to him and we spoke with him when we were in the Vatican , a few weeks ago , at Pope Francis’ mass and he told me yes, that he could consider coming , and we want him to come because there he will also be able to talk with all the Latin American presidents and make plans that we have to develop together», he declared.

The head of state emphasized the need for the United States and Latin America to work together, “each obviously defending its own interests.”

“I hope he comes in December . We have excellent collaboration with Secretary Rubio, who has already been to the Dominican Republic , and also with all the U.S. agencies,” he emphasized.

Abinader highlights cooperation with the U.S. in the fight against child trafficking in the Dominican Republic.

Likewise, Abinader highlighted the strong cooperation between his government and U.S. agencies in the fight against child trafficking for sexual exploitation in the Dominican Republic.

“We’ve collaborated with all the North American agencies, and the truth is, we’ve recruited many people who are dedicated to this. But it’s minimal ; almost all of the North American tourists who come are couples and families , who behave perfectly in our country,” he said.

“In the case of the North American authorities , we have excellent cooperation with anyone who comes for these purposes, as we apply the law to the fullest extent,” warned President Luis Abinader.