Saint Dominic. The Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, ERDmade this Sunday a high-level visit to the Dajabón border areawhere he led a strategic meeting with the directors of the CODEVI Industrial Parkwith the objective of evaluating the current situation and the measures adopted after the recent incidents that have affected its operations.
The minister’s visit takes place a week after hundreds of Haitian workers will mobilize peacefully in the CODEVI free zonelocated in the community of Juana Méndez (Haiti)for reject the tax withholding applied by the industrial park at the request of the Haitian Government.
For security reasons, the Dominican personnel were temporarily evacuated while the demonstration was taking place, and the National Police reinforced surveillance in the area to guarantee order.
It is expected that in the next few hours a call will be made an emergency meeting between authorities and workers’ representativeswith the purpose of finding a solution that allows resume work and restore operational normality.
Despite the demonstrations in some parts of Juana Méndez, The commercial exchange in the Dajabón border market continues normallyas confirmed Noel Fernandezpresident of the Merchants Association from the shopping plaza.
During the meeting, the military high command highlighted the strategic and socioeconomic importance of the CODEVI Industrial Park, both for the Dominican Republic as for Haitidue to its impact on the job creationthe economic dynamization and the border stability.
“CODEVI constitutes an example of binational cooperation and development that contributes significantly to peace and economic growth on the border,” said Minister Fernández Onofre.
The official explained that they were evaluated inter-institutional support and coordination mechanisms for strengthen perimeter security of the park and guarantee a stable environment that favors the continuity of industrial operations in the area.
Fernández Onofre reiterated that the Dominican Armed Forces maintain a unwavering commitment to peace, security and national developmentin line with the objectives of the Institutional Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Defense (MIDE)which drives the integration of defense with social and economic development.
“National defense is not only expressed in the protection of the territory, but also in supporting initiatives that promote employment, stability and progress in border areas,” the minister stressed.
Border perimeter fence
As part of his agenda in Dajabón, the head of MIDE supervised the progress of the second stage of construction of the border perimeter fencean emblematic work of the Dominican Government that seeks strengthen territorial control and border securityin addition to facilitate orderly trade and cross-border cooperation.
During the tour, Fernández Onofre verified the progress of the work and received technical explanations about the remaining stages of the project, which is part of the State’s efforts to improve migration management and combat smuggling and other cross-border crimes.
They accompanied the Minister of Defense director of the Specialized Corps for Land Border Security (CESFRONT)he director of Plans and Operations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (J3) and the general supervisor of the construction work of the perimeter fencealong with other senior officers of the Armed Forces.
