Tension in the border Anse-a-Pitres and Pedernales

March 11, 2013 5:08 PM

In the wake of the Dominican Republic's new 2,500 peso tax on the issuing of passports, an ongoing protest has been staged at the border of Anse-a-Pitres and Pedernales. Dozens of people, including taxi drivers, merchants and changers, took to the border and set up a barricade of large, heavy stones and tires etc. that they set ablaze and constantly reinforce to maintain the fortitude of the roadblock.

The protest action began on Thursday, at the border's south-east entrance, and has been carried on into market day, Friday, successfully shutting down business and commercial activities in the area. Demonstrators are very vocal about their condemnation of this new tax. A representative of the traders association claimed the protest would continue through to the end of the week, citing that a 2,500 peso tax on passports was 'completely irregular'. Similar tales of dissension have been told by members of the GARR (Group for Repatriates and Refugees), making the public very aware of their intolerance of this new tax.

The border of Anse-a-Pitres and Pedernales is no stranger to a riot, as one of the four main land crossings between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, it is a strategic location for those trying to make their point; whether about politics, food or, as in this case, passport taxes. The livelihood of many will depend on the success or failure of this demonstration, as many travel over the border on a daily basis. The delay in the running of business and commercial activities caused by this latest protest provides incentive for the voice of the protestors to be heard and their issues taken into consideration.

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Tension in the border Anse-a-Pitres and Pedernales

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