Both participated in the first of a series of seminars on relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic organized by the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University
The disproportionate exodus of illegal Haitians is devouring the fruits of Dominican pluralism, and together with the stagnant economy of Haiti and the progressive deterioration of its per capita income currently represent some of the greatest dangers for the Dominican Republic, which today fights against international indifference to solve these problems.
These and other important aspects of the Haitian crisis were analyzed yesterday by a group of thinkers and analysts, in the UNPHU Social Studies Forum entitled “Present and Future Relations with Haiti: the challenges of a good neighbor”.
Speakers such as the prominent writers and historian Miguel Reyes Sánchez and Jose Miguel Soto Jimenez they consider the Haitian crisis as a real calamity and humanitarian situation that is very worrying, but they observe that the DR cannot carry it on its shoulders.
“Haiti repeatedly fell into chaos, between rival formations resulting from instability, the weakness of the State, the struggles between dominant factions and the Haitian elite, which has constantly taken money from Haitians and not invested in their country, which is leading it to chronic poverty,” said Reyes Sánchez, who cited the various chaotic moments they have experienced in recent years.
In his presentation, the speaker highlighted that since the Dominican Republic does not have the necessary economic resources for the reconstruction of Haiti, it is necessary to promote the mobilization of foreign aid sources. “At this moment we have more Haitian women in labor than Dominicans, although some people do not like them to say so,” said Reyes Sánchez.
In the case of the former head of today’s Ministry of Defense, José Miguel Soto Jiménez, after greeting the Forum organized by UNPHU, compared the situation in neighboring Haiti with Somalia. “In Haiti there is no State. It is the disappearance of the state. What is most similar to me is Somalia. The gangs dominate the game, they thrive on kidnapping, robberies and even international piracy”, said the retired military.
Soto Jiménez blamed the last presidents of the Dominican Republic for having the same speech demanding help to the countries, instead of focusing on what the DR will do in the future.
“We have to talk about what we are going to do with the very serious problem we have,” he exclaimed.
When mentioning the DR-Haiti border, Soto Jiménez was clear in noting that it is multidimensional and is not limited to 376 kilometers, since it passes through hospitals, maternity hospitals, the labor market and Dominican schools.
He warned that it is not about hatred, racism or historical resentment, as many try to proclaim without reason, but that it is a reality that the uncontrolled and constant crossing of Haitian migrants is swallowing 4% of Dominican education, the social security and any other social advance, which since the death of the dictator Trujillo has cost all Dominicans a lot of sacrifice.
