Dominican Republic boosts border security as Haiti tensions simmer

FILE PHOTO: The border gates of Haiti stay open for Haitians to return from the Dominican Republic after Dominican President Luis Abinader announced an imminent total border shutdown amid a conflict over the construction of a water channel from a shared river, in Ouanaminthe, Haiti September 14, 2023. REUTERS/Octavio Jones/File Photo

PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - The Dominican Republic said on Tuesday it will beef up security at its northern border with Haiti, following an incident it labeled a "provocation" in which it said a group of Haitians entered Dominican territory and interfered with the army patrol.

Dominican government spokesperson Homero Figueroa said on messaging platform X that the situation fortunately had not escalated, but the army would as a preventive measure increase the number of soldiers and vehicles patrolling in the area.