This is how the border looked like: images of the Army Commander’s tour of the border zone

The Commander-in-Chief of the Dominican Republic Army, Major General Jorge Iván Camino Pérez, conducted a supervisory tour of four provinces along the border, where he met with several civilian authorities in the area bordering neighboring Haiti.

The tour began at the “El Rodeo” Fortress, headquarters of the 14th Infantry Battalion based in Jimaní, Independencia province. After addressing the troops, he went to the provincial Government offices to meet with the local governor, Ms. Mercedes Novas.

In that province, he took the opportunity to visit the Mal Paso border crossing, then tour the section of the border fence built in that area under the responsibility of the Army. During his visit, he stopped to talk with the soldiers assigned to security along the border, visiting Detachments La 248 and La 40, and flying over the Tierra Virgen detachment, which is currently under reconstruction.

He later traveled to the Elías Piña province, where he visited the headquarters of the 11th Infantry Battalion. There, he oversaw the construction of a new heliport and later held a meeting with the provincial governor, Ms. Migdalis De los Santos, at the provincial Government headquarters.

The visit to that province also concluded with a visit to the El Carrizal-Belladere border crossing, from where he continued to supervise the security of the perimeter fence built in that area, under the responsibility of the Army.

From Elías Piña, the Army Commander-in-Chief traveled to Dajabón province, where he visited the facilities of the 10th Infantry Battalion. After addressing the troops, he visited the provincial Government office, where he met with its head, Ms. Severina Gil.

In Dajabón, he also visited the border crossing and toured the perimeter fence with local commanders, speaking with soldiers assigned to border security, including those stationed at the Liberation Post.

The tour concluded at the San Fernando Fortress in Montecristi, home to the 15th Infantry Company of the Dominican Republic Army, where he conducted an assessment of the facilities with a view to expanding them. The institution’s plans include elevating this unit to battalion level, increasing its military presence, and establishing greater control in the area.

Finally, he met with the provincial governor, Ms. Leissa Cruz, and then toured the perimeter fence, inspecting the security posts set up along it.

Addressing the troops in each of the units visited, the Army Commander urged officers and soldiers to remain attached to the provisions of the Law under all circumstances and always to stay away from committing illegal acts, reiterating the need to provide dignified treatment to undocumented migrants who are detained daily trying to cross the land border.