UN Praises Dominican Logistics Support for Anti-Gang Force in Haiti
The UN called Dominican Republic's support for the Haiti gang-suppression force essential. A ship loaded with equipment left the Port of Haina.
Key points
- UN Assistant Secretary-General Daniela Kroslak called the Dominican logistical support essential.
- The ship left the Port of Haina carrying specialized vehicles, weapons, equipment and support gear.
- The cargo came from Bangladesh, and Germany financed its sea transport.
- Vice Minister Ramón Pérez Fermín said the international effort is starting to produce concrete results.
UN Assistant Secretary-General and head of the UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH), Daniela Kroslak, thanked the Dominican government for facilitating the transfer of equipment, supplies and personnel for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in neighboring Haiti. Kroslak stressed that this support has been essential not only for current operations but also for other UN activities on Haitian territory.
The remarks were made during the dispatch of a ship from the Port of Haina bound for Haiti. The vessel carried weapons, specialized vehicles and support equipment for the force fighting criminal gangs. The cargo came from Bangladesh, and Germany financed its transport. Dominican authorities, in coordination with the UN, facilitated its mobilization and shipment to Haiti.
Representing the Dominican government were Vice Minister of Multilateral Foreign Policy Rubén Silié and Vice Minister of Management and Operations of the Foreign Service Ramón Pérez Fermín. UNSOH head of operations Dushyant Joshi and German Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Maike Friedrichsen also attended.
As the ship departed, Pérez Fermín, speaking on behalf of Foreign Minister Víctor «Ito» Bisonó, praised the joint efforts of the international community to restore stability in Haiti. "The effort of the entire international community, of everyone who believes in democracy and freedom, is starting to produce concrete results," he said. He reiterated that the Dominican Republic will keep cooperating with international security initiatives.
For its part, Ambassador Friedrichsen expressed Germany's satisfaction at contributing to the initiative and thanked Dominican authorities for their cooperation. She reaffirmed that her country will continue supporting international efforts to improve security in Haiti.
Why it matters
Dominican support for security operations in Haiti is part of the country's foreign policy, according to the government, which says it is limited to logistical support without direct involvement in military operations on Haitian soil.