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The Dominican Republic’s ambitious border wall project along its shared frontier with Haiti has reached a major milestone, with the first phase now 84% complete. The wall, designed to enhance border security and regulate migration and trade, is expected to be delivered by February 2025, according to Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza.
During a recent site tour with Major General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, Commander General of the Dominican Army, Paliza reviewed progress on the $32 million construction project. The initiative, which began in 2021, is part of broader efforts to address border security concerns and improve territorial management.
The border wall incorporates cutting-edge security features to address long-standing issues of irregular migration, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and illegal trade. It will be equipped with radar, motion detectors, and high-definition night vision cameras. An integrated squadron of surveillance drones will provide real-time monitoring, transmitting data to centralized control stations.
Additional infrastructure includes 170 watchtowers and checkpoints, as well as 71 controlled access gates. In critical areas, the fence will be double-layered for added security.
The total cost of the first phase stands at $39.5 million, excluding the advanced technological equipment. The government has announced plans to launch a tender for the second phase, which will cover an additional 110 kilometers of the 391-kilometer border.
With the completion of the wall’s first phase, the Dominican Republic aims to curb unauthorized crossings while improving the safety and economic stability of its border regions. The project reflects growing concerns over managing cross-border movement and ensuring national security amid the complex relationship between the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
The two nations share the island of Hispaniola and a long history of cultural and economic ties, but tensions have often flared over migration and trade. The wall symbolizes a significant step toward addressing these issues while fostering a more controlled and secure environment.
As the Dominican government advances its border strategy, the focus remains on achieving a balance between security and economic opportunity. The completion of the wall’s first phase marks a critical milestone, with additional phases poised to further strengthen border management.
