Abinader rejects Haiti’s request to reopen airspace

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader ruled out reopening airspace with Haiti, citing growing “anarchy” and the country’s near-collapse. His decision follows a request from Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) to resume flights, particularly between Santo Domingo and Cap-Haïtien, and to restart bilateral talks halted in 2023 over Haiti’s controversial canal project.

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During his weekly press conference, Abinader recalled prior agreements with Haiti, including border security measures and hospital construction, which were disrupted after President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination in 2021. He emphasized that current conditions do not support reestablishing air connections.

The CPT argued that Cap-Haïtien remains stable despite widespread gang control in Port-au-Prince. It also defended Haiti’s recent border trade restrictions, stating they aim to combat arms and drug trafficking rather than target Dominican interests.