Liberty Case

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The influx of Haitians to Santo Domingo hospitals, and specifically to maternity wards, has dropped dramatically since public health centers began asking for identification last Monday as part of measures to combat illegal immigration from Haiti, EFE learned Wednesday.

At the Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia Maternity Hospital, in the center of the capital and the country’s main hospital, consultation staff confirmed to EFE this drop in Haitian women attending, “there are fewer than before,” and without wishing to make any kind of assessment, they simply stated: “We are here to provide the service.”

This lower influx also coincided with a doctor from the hospital and a member of the Dominican law enforcement agency at the reception of the health center, where representatives—always women—from the General Directorate of Immigration (DGM) were also present at the entrances.

Motherhood

At the entrance to the maternity hospital, a yellow school-style bus transports women without legal status to the migrant reception center in Haina, about 20 kilometers from Santo Domingo, where their biometric data and fingerprints are taken for deportation purposes. According to the DGM, repatriations are only carried out after confirming that “there are no health risks” for the patients.

On board the bus, which has been stationed there since 6 a.m., a 14-year-old girl who is 23 weeks pregnant speaks to EFE from a window, despite claiming she has presented her birth certificate, which states that she was born in the Dominican Republic, even though she is of Haitian descent.

“When I got to the gate, I gave them my birth certificate, they checked it, and then this man came and said, ‘You have to wait’ for them to upload me to the system. Then they took me to the van,” says this first-time mother, who reiterates that she was born in Santiago (northern Dominican Republic).

After being taken to the van, “my mother came and gave her the birth certificate, and they’re uploading it to the system. I have my birth certificate,” she insists, despite which the bus eventually departed with her inside along with another pregnant teenager who also claims to be Dominican, although she didn’t present documentation, accompanied by her mother.

Criticism of the controversial measure

Two weeks ago, Dominican President Luis Abinader announced a series of measures to address irregular immigration from Haiti, including the implementation of a migration verification protocol in 33 public hospitals across the country.

This means inspectors and immigration agents verify that patients have valid identification, a work permit, and proof of residency in the country, and that they cover the cost of the services received. Otherwise, they will receive medical care and, once recovered, be deported.

On the first day of implementation alone, 87 pregnant and laboring Haitian women were detained in Dominican hospitals.

In response, Amnesty International (AI) today called on the Dominican government to immediately end the collective expulsions of Haitians and repeal the protocol linking access to health services with deportation.

In a statement, AI’s director for the Americas, Ana Piquer, said that implementing a system that exposes migrants to deportation after receiving medical care “not only violates the right to health, but also dehumanizes undocumented people and will likely discourage them from seeking hospital care, putting lives at risk.”

The Dominican Republic’s relationship with Haiti

In an April address to the nation, President Abinader recommended that the thousands of undocumented Haitians living in the Dominican Republic “leave voluntarily” or else “they will be sought out and repatriated.”

Last October, Abinader ordered the mass deportation of irregular migrants, approximately 10,000 per week, almost entirely affecting Haitians.

According to official data, since this measure was taken, more than 180,000 Haitians in an irregular situation have been deported to Haiti, despite calls from international organizations and agencies to prevent returns to a country where more than 5,600 people died due to violence in 2024.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Tapachula, Mexico – Migrants along the Mexico-Guatemala border are expressing strong interest in working on major infrastructure projects such as the Mayan Train, the Interoceanic Corridor, and new industries promised by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. These developments are part of a plan to strengthen the region as an industrial hub in Central America and to provide new job opportunities to help mitigate migration.

In Tapachula, the largest city on the border, migrants and local business leaders spoke to EFE about their optimism following a recent meeting between Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo and Sheinbaum. The two leaders discussed bringing the Mayan Train and industrial manufacturing hubs to the region, aiming to create jobs and improve local economies.

RELATED NEWS : The number of Haitians in Dominican hospitals has dropped dramatically following immigration regulations

Denis Olivera Aguirre, secretary of the Association for the Development of Markets in Tapachula, believes these projects will attract more migrants due to the employment opportunities they will create. “In their home countries, people are facing serious security and economic challenges. When they see new sources of employment in Mexico and Guatemala, they will be drawn here,” Olivera said. He added that the closure of U.S. borders under President Donald Trump’s policies might make this region a new job source for migrants.

Tapachula Mayor Aarón Yamil Melgar Bravo pointed out that Sheinbaum had previously declared that Tapachula would become the economic capital of the state of Chiapas and even of Central America. The city has nearly 400 hectares of land available for industrial projects, including the completion of railroad tracks connecting the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to Puerto Chiapas, which would facilitate trade between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as between North and Central America.

“Once the rail network is finished, we’ll be able to unload and load containers for both ships and trains, boosting trade. The other rail branch will extend to Suchiate, on the Guatemala border,” Melgar explained.

Sheinbaum has repeatedly emphasized that addressing the root causes of migration is key. Following a record-breaking 925,000 irregular migrants in Mexico in 2024, she has called for a strategy focused on providing well-paying jobs rather than deploying security forces. “We need to provide jobs so people don’t migrate out of necessity,” Sheinbaum said in a statement on April 11. She also highlighted the importance of collaboration with Guatemala to develop the region into a migration hub that benefits both countries.

For many migrants, these developments are seen as a hopeful opportunity. Venezuelan migrant Luz Marina described the plans as a “great proposal,” especially for those seeking work in Mexico after U.S. migration restrictions under President Trump. “We are ready to help Mexico and Guatemala,” she said. “There are many of us who want better working conditions, and we are eager to contribute. A workforce of 700, 800, or even 1,000 migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti could make a significant impact.”

Cuban migrant Deivy Gurrola also voiced support for the initiatives, urging Mexican authorities to facilitate regular residency for migrants wishing to work on these projects. “We want to be able to work, pay rent, and support ourselves,” she said. “We’re looking for work that suits our needs and would allow us to live here in Mexico.”

The growing interest among migrants comes as Mexico has seen a significant increase in deportations, with more than 24,000 deportees in the first eight weeks of President Trump’s new term, including over 4,500 foreigners. However, Sheinbaum has promised to provide support for those who choose to stay in the country and take part in the industrial and infrastructure developments underway in the region.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

São Paulo, Brazil (EFE) – Brazil recorded 2,185 incidents of rural violence in 2024, the second-highest figure since 1985, even as murders linked to land conflicts fell significantly, according to a report released Wednesday by the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT).

The CPT, an entity tied to the Brazilian Catholic Church, reported that while total rural conflicts decreased by just 2.9% from a historic high of 2,250 in 2023, violence in the countryside remains entrenched, particularly in disputes over land and water.

RELATED NEWS : Peru’s Ex-First Lady Flees to Brazil, Requests Asylum to Escape Prison Sentence

Land conflicts rose to 1,768 cases, the highest level in a decade. These confrontations included threats, forced evictions, destruction of homes, arms trafficking, and illegal property appropriation. In parallel, exposure to pesticides also intensified, affecting over 17,000 families.

The report also highlighted a growing trend in conflicts over water resources, which jumped 16% from 2023, marking the highest tally in five years.

Rise of Rural Militias

One of the most alarming findings in the report was the emergence of armed militias formed by large landowners to suppress rural communities and land occupations. The CPT cited the “Invasão Zero” (Zero Invasion) movement in Bahia state as a key example.

“Invasão Zero” is reportedly composed of powerful rural elites who not only engage in violent evictions but also seek political influence by sponsoring legislation aimed at criminalizing land rights activism.

The group has been linked to the 2024 murder of Indigenous leader Maria Fátima Muniz de Andrade, known as Nega Pataxó. According to the CPT, the killing was allegedly carried out by a landowner with police involvement.

Murders Decline, but Indigenous People Still Targeted

Despite the disturbing trends in land and water conflicts, the number of murders associated with rural violence dropped sharply from 31 in 2023 to 13 in 2024. The CPT noted that this decline coincides with the second year of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s progressive administration.

Nonetheless, Indigenous populations remain disproportionately affected. “They continue to be the primary victims of rural violence in Brazil,” the CPT emphasized.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube