Abinader acknowledges limited communication with Haiti, doubles down on border security

President Luis Abinader on Sunday acknowledged that communication between the governments of the Dominican Republic and Haiti is not fluid due to Haiti's institutional crisis, though he said permanent coordination exists with the multinational security support mission deployed in Haitian territory, according to Acento. "It is not a fluid communication, but there is communication," Abinader said. He stated that the Dominican Republic does not participate directly in the international force's operations against armed gangs, limiting its support to logistics and humanitarian assistance in medical cases. Abinader said authorities maintain contact with mission officials to be informed in advance of any operation that could have repercussions at the border. He attributed the difficult bilateral relationship to Haiti's crisis, noting that roughly 70% of Port-au-Prince remains under the control of armed gangs. The president said the government's priority has been reinforcing border security through the border wall, strengthening the Armed Forces and acquiring new armored equipment and vehicles. In the same interview, Abinader also addressed recent protests and cacerolazos, the new Penal Code, fuel subsidies and electricity, saying corrections to the Penal Code would be ready before its August 3 entry into force and ruling out a comprehensive tax reform in the short term.