The Dominican Republic has introduced several measures to improve border security and tighten migration control amid escalating instability in neighbouring Haiti.
President Luis Abinader on Sunday made it clear that security would be increased, despite calls for his country to ease stringent policies as Haitians seek refuge from violence wracking their country.
“We will step up surveillance of the borders with 1,500 additional troops, on top of 9,500 already deployed,” Abinader said in a speech.
The Dominican leader was re-elected last year on promises to clamp down on immigration.
Abinader further noted that he has approved the construction of a new section of a wall that separates the two countries – which share the second-largest island in the Caribbean after Cuba.
The border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti stretches for more than 300km (186 miles). About 54km (33 miles) of border wall has been completed.
The president said his latest order would “speed up construction of the border wall” to add a further 13km (8 miles).