National

Buried in the long speech to the Congress last Friday, 27 February 2026 was the announcement of an initiative to open several “dry ports” along the border with Haiti. These are basically container (multi-modal) and logistical hubs as well as customs stations, but removed from the sea. President Luis Abinader’s announcement on 27 February 2026 specifically highlighted a network of dry ports acting as an “economic wall” on the border.

The Dominican Federation of Merchants and the Association of Border Exporters of Cement and Construction Materials held a strategic meeting aimed at strengthening trade ties with Haiti while promoting sustainable development in border communities.

“There is no credible electoral registry, no functioning political party system and no real capacity to organise a vote that would be recognised as legitimate,” said Eduardo Gamarra, a professor at Florida International University. “A reliable voter roll is the foundation of any democratic process.” Beyond the technical obstacles lies the issue of impunity. “The United States, Canada and the United Nations have sanctioned prominent Haitian political and business figures accused of financing armed groups,” Chantal argued. “Yet none of them have been prosecuted. If those who finance and arm these groups are never held accountable, it becomes very difficult to dismantle the system.”

L’ambassadeur du Canada en Haïti le confirme et indique à Alix Didier Fils-Aimé qu’ils ne lui ont pas donné un blanc-seing. Le chef du gouvernement a maintenant plus de pouvoirs et aussi plus de responsabilités, souligne le diplomate...

The head of Haiti’s National Police told The Associated Press on Friday that authorities are still working on a plan to safely hold general elections this year as promised by the government, despite persistent gang violence. André Jonas Vladimir Paraison, who became the department’s interim head in August, said he could not provide more details but would release more information soon.