https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-61297538
Tensions rise between Haiti and the Dominican Republic as the DR is now pressing Haiti to launch an immediate investigation into the apparent kidnapping of one of its diplomats. This happened near the capital of Haiti in Port-au-Prince which for the past couple months have been wrecked by violent with armed gangs that are increasingly tightening their grip on the country. Dominican officials said that the 400 Mawozo gang was behind the kidnapping. Haiti government was told to make an immediate investigation into the kidnapping by the Dominican Republic government.
The importance of this is that this gang is infamous for kidnapping foreigners and demanding high ransoms. For example, the 400 Mawazo abducted 16 US citizens and a Canadian who were in Haiti for the NGO Christian Aid Ministries. The gang demanded a ransom of $1m for each citizen. For the this kidnapping the gang has demanded half a million for his release. The amount of kidnapping this year has largely increased as Haiti’s Center for Analysis and Research on Human Rights reported that more than 1,200 people were kidnapped in 2021, with only 81 of the victims foreign nationals. This large due to violent crime becoming worse in Haiti since the assassination in July of President Jovenel Moïse.
This relates to class about periphery and border security because these 2 countries have had past history of not getting along and this will make tensions only rise more until the diplomat is released. Dominican Republic has urged Haiti to do everything in its power to ensure the safe release of one of its diplomats because the 400 Mawozo and many other gangs are starting to gain control of areas in Haiti.