Dominican Vice President to address regional cooperation on the humanitarian crisis in Haiti during a conference in El Salvador

Vice President Raquel Peña will travel to El Salvador to participate in the II International Conference on State and Democracy. (Photo courtesy of Vice President Raquel Peña) The situation in Haiti, marked by violence from armed groups and humanitarian deterioration, will be part of the agenda that Dominican Vice President Raquel Peña will bring to El Salvador. The official will participate in a regional forum where she will present her country's vision on institutional stability and the security challenges affecting the Caribbean. Peña will travel this Sunday, November 15, to attend the II International Conference on State and Democracy (CIED 2026), scheduled for November 16 and 17. Her participation is in response to an invitation from the Salvadoran vice president, Félix Ulloa. On Monday, November 16, the vice president will deliver a special address during the opening of the conference. The presentation will be titled "Strong Institutions, Stable Democracy: The Experience of the Dominican Republic and Its Contribution to Regional Governance." The Dominican government reported that Peña will present the country's institutional experience and the policies developed during the administration of President Luis Abinader. The focus will be on measures aimed at strengthening the functioning of public institutions and their capacity to respond to the demands of the population. The Dominican presentation at the regional forum will address the institutional strengthening policies of Luis Abinader's government. (Photo courtesy of Vice President Raquel Peña) The vice president will also address the security crisis in Haiti, an issue that the Dominican Republic has placed among its foreign policy priorities due to geographic proximity and the regional impact of the violence. Haiti is going through a situation of political, institutional, and humanitarian instability that worsened after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. Since then, armed groups have expanded their presence in areas of Port-au-Prince and other departments, with attacks against civilians, kidnappings, displacement, and restrictions on access to essential services. Recent data from the United Nations system indicate that nearly 1.5 million people have been displaced within Haiti as a result of the violence. The insecurity also hinders the distribution of humanitarian aid and the operation of hospitals, schools, and markets, especially in areas under the influence of armed gangs. Between July and September 2026, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti recorded at least 1,167 deaths and 459 injuries in incidents linked to the violence. The agency also documented 344 victims of sexual violence during that period. The situation remains one of the main obstacles to the Haitian political process. The general elections, which would have been the first since 2016, were postponed until July 2027 due to security conditions and logistical difficulties. The Dominican Republic will reiterate to the international community its request for support to curb Haitian criminal organizations. (Photo courtesy of Vice President Raquel Peña) During her participation in the conference, Peña will refer to the need for regional cooperation in the face of shared challenges. In that framework, she will endorse the position expressed by President Luis Abinader, who has called for greater international support to contain the violence of criminal organizations in Haiti. The Dominican position holds that the response to the crisis requires the participation of the international community, with support for the Haitian authorities and the mechanisms aimed at restoring security. The country has repeatedly warned about the consequences that greater destabilization in the neighboring territory would have. The vice president's agenda in El Salvador will include a bilateral meeting with Félix Ulloa. The meeting is scheduled for this Sunday and will aim to address matters of common interest and review cooperation mechanisms between the two countries. After her Monday address, Peña will participate in the activities organized by CIED 2026 and will attend a luncheon hosted by the Salvadoran vice president. The departure of the Dominican delegation is scheduled from San Isidro Air Base.