Dominican Republic boosts Haiti border security with fence expansion and binational market

The Dominican government announced an integrated strategy, called FUERTE, to reinforce the 391‑kilometre land border with Haiti. The plan centres on three pillars – border security, connectivity and economic development – and includes extending the perimeter fence and constructing a binational market in the Restauración area near the Tilory community, a zone noted for informal trade and security concerns.

President Luis Abinader, Defense Minister Carlos Fernández Onofre and other senior officials said the initiative will modernise surveillance systems, improve logistical infrastructure, and promote investment to create jobs and raise living standards in frontier provinces. The programme also aims to curb transnational crime while fostering legal commerce across the border.

Officials highlighted recent advances such as upgraded control posts, new road paving projects and incentives for entrepreneurs, underscoring the government’s push to transform the border from a point of vulnerability into a catalyst for regional growth.