Vinicio Castillo warns UN aid suspension to Haiti could spark mass migration

Santo Domingo.- Vinicio Castillo Semán, a prominent Dominican politician, voiced concerns that the United Nations’ decision to halt all humanitarian aid to Haiti due to the closure of its ports and airports may provoke a mass migration of Haitians to the Dominican Republic. Castillo Semán urged the Dominican government to continue its deportations and close the border, allowing only binational trade for essential goods like food and agricultural products. He stressed that the country faces a critical moment, given the escalating violence in Haiti and the political crisis there, which he believes may be intentionally fueling a migration surge.

Castillo Semán noted that the recent targeting of three U.S. commercial planes, which he deemed terrorist acts, signals a dangerous intensification of the conflict. He suggested that these attacks indicate potential involvement from international players with an interest in destabilizing Haiti—and, by extension, the Dominican Republic—before the upcoming U.S. presidential inauguration in January.

Calling for decisive action, Castillo Semán implored Dominican President Luis Abinader to prioritize national security, seal the border, and continue deportations of undocumented migrants. He underscored that the Dominican Republic has a sovereign right to enforce border control and deportations, emphasizing that international entities like the UN must respect the nation’s stance on immigration and border security.