The Dominican Republic will bring the security crisis in neighboring Haiti to the United Nations General Assembly in September to request the renewal of the international Gang Suppression Force mandate, Foreign Minister Víctor Bisonó announced on Sunday.
Speaking to journalists during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Altar de la Patria in Santo Domingo, Bisonó confirmed that the Dominican delegation will raise the issue during the annual high-level UN meetings in New York.
Bisonó said the ongoing instability in Haiti is not an exclusive concern for the Dominican Republic, despite sharing the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. He noted that while his country faces immediate border impacts, the crisis carries broader regional and global implications that require international attention.
The Dominican Republic shares a 391-kilometer land border with Haiti on Hispaniola. Dominican leaders have repeatedly alerted international bodies to the risks that Haitian gang violence poses to regional stability, trade, and border security.
UN Security Council and Force Mandate
The Gang Suppression Force was authorized by the UN Security Council in September 2025 as a replacement for the previous Multinational Security Support mission. The force is sanctioned to deploy up to 5,500 personnel to assist Haitian authorities in reclaiming control from armed criminal groups.
The upcoming push in New York continues a diplomatic campaign conducted by Santo Domingo over recent months. In July, then foreign minister Roberto Álvarez appealed directly to the UN Security Council to renew the force's mandate and speed up the deployment of pledged troops, arguing that established security is essential before Haiti can conduct free elections and rebuild its governing institutions.
Concerns over security mounted further after the Security Council reviewed recent gang attacks in Kenscoff, a town situated south of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. The violent assault left 47 people dead and resulted in the kidnapping of more than 50 others, highlighting the volatile environment facing local populations.
Democratic Values and Regional Diplomacy
Beyond the Haitian security crisis, Bisonó outlined the broader diplomatic objectives for the Dominican delegation at the General Assembly, which takes place from September 8 to September 22. He stated that the country will advocate for fundamental principles of freedom and democracy on the international stage.
The foreign minister added that the Dominican Republic will promote conditions aimed at ensuring peaceful living standards for all populations. He said these efforts include expanding access to basic public services, fostering equal opportunities, and encouraging equitable economic development across the region.
Bisonó made his remarks following bilateral discussions between Dominican officials and visiting Honduran President Nasry Asfura. During the official visit, both governments addressed shared priorities including agricultural production, sports initiatives, migration control, regional security, and bilateral cooperation.
Dominican diplomats are preparing to present their recommendations when the United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York on September 8, where member states will review international security measures and mission renewals for Haiti.
