Haiti and Dominican Republic enter into conflict over the construction of a canal on the Massacre River

The Dominican Republic has completely closed its border with Haiti since Sept. 15 amid a dispute between the two countries over the construction of a canal on the Rio Masacre.

Haitian volunteers have continued with the works despite the measures of the neighboring country. Farmers have reported that the lack of water to irrigate the Maribahoux area has caused crops to dry up, aggravating the nation's food crisis.

The canal project that would divert liquid from the Masacre River dates back to 2018. It was interrupted by the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse. The assassination plunged Haiti into a spiral of violence that had already generated conflicts with the Dominican Republic, whose president, Luis Abinader, has championed proposals to tighten immigration controls between the two nations.

As part of measures to reinforce the border, the Dominican Republic has launched a project to build a 190-kilometer wall between the countries that share the island of Hispaniola.

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