Haitian Migrant Killed in Punta Cana After Machete Attack on Officer

During a migration control operation in the early hours of 22 July in the Villa Playwood sector of Verón‑Punta Cana, a Haitian national attacked a lieutenant colonel leading the patrol with a machete. The officer sustained injuries to his arm and left hand while defending himself. In response, the officer fired his service weapon twice, wounding the attacker. The Haitian was taken to a hospital alive but later died from the gunshot wounds. The lieutenant colonel underwent surgery for his injuries and remains under medical care. Both the Dominican Republic’s Dirección General de Migración (DGM) and the Public Ministry are conducting investigations, and the officer’s identity has been kept confidential pending the inquiry.