Defense Minister Ruben Paulino Sem proceeded to the installation of General Estanislao Gonell Regalado as the new Commander General of the Dominican Army. He replaces General Alberto Braulio Alcantara as Deputy Minister of Defense.

In his speech, the new Commander of the Dominican Army said that during his tenure he will guarantee the security of the borders, a strategic priority of his road map. He also assured that he will implement a culture of human rights and that under his command the training and professionalization of his staff will be strengthened.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, he said that the calm was maintained at the border crossing of Carrizal (Province of Elías Piña) and Belladère (in Haiti) and that the binational market had been reopened after the incident of 18 August https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25292-haiti-flash-shootout-at-the-border-the-details.html . He also had to formally deny the Haitian rumor that suggests that drivers of Dominican trucks have been kidnapped and would be held against their will in Haiti.

In addition, Defense Minister Ruben Paulino Sem also said that following this incident, the Dominican Ambassador to Haiti had met several times with the Haitian authorities and that relations were good between the two Nations.

This week the new Commander of the Dominican Army will tour the border area.

SL/ iciHaiti