Carolina Mejía calls for sanctions against Wilson Isidor over remarks about Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- Presidential candidate Carolina Mejía called for strong sanctions against soccer player Wilson Isidor and others who, she said, disrespected the Dominican Republic by referring to Hispaniola as Haiti following a match between the Dominican and Haitian national teams.

“We cannot allow those who express themselves in that way to even have the freedom to enter Dominican territory; we have to be categorical about that,” Mejía said.

The presidential hopeful, who advocates stricter border controls, also reiterated her position that foreigners residing in the Dominican Republic without legal immigration status should not be permitted to remain in the country.

“We have a duty to preserve, care for and protect our border,” she stated.

Mejía’s comments come amid controversy over Isidor’s remarks and other incidents reported during the match between the Dominican Republic and Haiti at the Olympic Center in Santo Domingo.