Haiti’s Security Crisis at the Center of Talks Between Rubio and Abinader

Santo Domingo, February 6, 2025 – Haiti’s escalating security crisis took center stage during U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s official visit to the Dominican Republic this Thursday. Welcomed upon arrival by Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, Rubio engaged in key discussions focused on bilateral cooperation, trade, and, most critically, regional security, amid growing concerns over Haiti’s deepening instability.

During a working lunch with Dominican President Luis Abinader, the two leaders explored strategies to mitigate the threats posed by the terror of Haitian gangs to the Dominican Republic and the broader Western Hemisphere. This high-level meeting comes as the Dominican government faces increasing pressure from the surge in cross-border violence, illegal migration, and the spillover effects of Haiti’s state collapse.

Rubio’s regional tour, concluding today, reflects the U.S.’s attempt to strengthen ties with key allies in addressing the crisis. However, the apparent lack of concrete American support for Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) and the absence of decisive measures to curb gang influence raise questions about the effectiveness of Washington’s approach.

As armed groups tighten their grip on Haiti, the urgency for a coordinated international response grows. Without swift, tangible action, the crisis risks destabilizing not just Haiti but the entire region.