Latest dispute between Carribean neighbours threatens stability in Haiti

A dispute over water management between neighbouring states Dominican Republic and Haiti is heating up with the former threatening to close its borders.

As reported by AP, the government in Santo Domingo has issued a statement, warning Haiti that it would close the border to air, sea and land should there not be a resolution to a dispute involving the Massacre River, named after an incident that saw the killing of dozens by Spanish settlers.

The two countries are sharing one island, referred to as Hispaniola, and have tense relations over a row of various disputes. The latest one arose because of excavation work carried out in a canal in Haiti which the Dominican authorities argue will lead to the diversion of water from the Massacre River which forms the northern border between the two countries and flows in both. This would harm farmers and lead to environmental problems.

Santo Domingo has issued a deadline to their threat, saying, that Haiti has until September 15 to resolve the conflict.