Army Officer vows to defend Dominican Republic with or without uniform in Barahona

Barahona, DR.- A video circulating on social media shows Dominican Army Second Lieutenant Pérez Leandro expressing concerns about the presence of undocumented Haitian nationals in Polo, Barahona. Leandro claims that local Dominican residents rent shacks along rivers and mountainous areas to these individuals, enabling illegal residence and, in his view, contributing to environmental pollution as they use natural sites for basic needs.

Leandro states that he does not oppose documented foreigners but insists undocumented individuals must leave while he is stationed in the area. He emphasized his actions as patriotic rather than discriminatory and expressed willingness to be reassigned if his strict approach is unwelcome.

Following the video’s release, Defense Minister Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre ordered an investigation and summoned Leandro to discuss his statements with Army leadership.