Dominican Republic Partners With El Salvador Against Gangs
The Dominican government declared Haitian criminal gangs as terrorist organizations following several disappearances.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Terrorism
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Dominican President Luis Abinader has initiated a security partnership with El Salvador to combat violent Haitian gangs. The administration also designated these groups as terrorist organizations to better address the regional threat.
Why it matters
The government aims to prevent violence from Haitian criminal organizations from spreading into Dominican territory. The move comes in response to the reported disappearance of four Salvadoran citizens in Haiti.
The Dominican government has officially classified Haitian criminal gangs as terrorist organizations. Authorities are continuing to monitor the border region to prevent the spillover of armed group activities.
The players
Luis Abinader
He is the current President of the Dominican Republic.
Nayib Bukele
He is the current President of El Salvador.
The details
Dominican authorities have reinforced the southern border using increased military personnel, armored vehicles, and advanced surveillance technology. Military assets, including aircraft and drones, are currently deployed to monitor movements near the frontier.
Timeline
October 24, 2026: President Luis Abinader held security discussions with President Nayib Bukele.
Legal Context
This mobilization represents an intensification of the Dominican Armed Forces border security protocols to counter regional criminal organizations. The strategy mirrors international efforts to address cross-border instability through enhanced intelligence sharing and military surveillance.
Residents near the southern border may observe increased military presence and surveillance activity in the coming weeks. The government currently reports no signs of mass migration, though officials continue to monitor regional developments closely.
The takeaway
The security partnership highlights the growing use of transnational cooperation to combat non-state armed groups. Citizens should follow official government advisories for safety updates regarding travel and border area activity.
Further reading
Learn more about international security efforts in the Terrorism section.
Live Poll
Should nations coordinate military intelligence to secure their borders against international criminal gangs?
