Dajabón, Dominican Republic.- The Jesuit organization Border Solidarity (SF) on Friday called for an urgent meeting between the Dominican and Haitian authorities to deal with where the commercial activities of the bi-national market will be held.

SF director and priest Regino Martinez said the lack of a legal framework and adequate regulations on commerce are among the errors of the market held Mondays and Fridays on the Dajabón side of the border, suspended since last week.

He cautioned that despite that it began 23 years ago, the structures have neither been provided nor the infrastructure created to make the market’s commercial activity viable. “The inaction of the authorities of both countries leads to reprisals and violence between the groups which take part in the benefits of the negotiation.”

In a statement, Martinez noted however that to achieve an adequate migratory transit the Haitians should be issued a visa and a pass to go to the market as vendors, while on the Haitian said its authorities should allow the opening of the new bridge so its citizens can sell their products and buy the staples they need.

“In addition to the international transport by (bus company) Caribe Tours, the Haitian people ask the Dominican authorities to allow the entry of the products supplied in the market,” the prelate said.

Martinez added that the situation las led “desperate groups of the population to react against powerful Haitian nationals who buy wheat, cooking oil, cement, wood and rebar in the large commercial centers, some of whose trucks have been torched.