The government of the Dominican Republic has established a permanent military and police presence in the area known as "Hoyo de Friusa" in Bávaro, as part of an immigration control and security operation. During this operation, 300 undocumented individuals were detained and "targeted actions" were carried out to address the immigration situation in the area.
In the heart of Bávaro, a tourist paradise that attracts thousands of visitors each year and where the Lopesan chain has its sights set on short- and medium-term growth—it already has one establishment in Bávaro and another under construction—a shadow of concern and discontent hangs over it. The beauty of its beaches and the warmth of its people contrast with a reality that many local residents cannot ignore. More than 50.000 Haitians have found refuge in this area, building shacks on private land, unleashing a torrent of concern among those who have invested their money and dreams in this corner of the Caribbean.
The streets of Bávaro, once quiet and bustling, are now witness to a phenomenon that has transformed the landscape. Shacks, built with improvised materials, have multiplied, occupying spaces that were once considered private property. For many Dominicans, this situation represents a violation of their rights, a challenge to the law that seems to have no consequences.
The operation, led by Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester, Director General of Immigration, is being carried out in collaboration with the Army, the Police, and Ciutran, as well as intelligence agencies. This action is part of a national strategy aimed at organizing the territory and enforcing the General Immigration Law.
The operations began last week and have expanded to nearby areas such as Mata Mosquito, Villa Playwood, and Haiti Chiquito, which are identified as areas with a high concentration of undocumented immigrants. The government seeks to regain control of these urban spaces, where problems affecting coexistence, security, and job opportunities for Dominican citizens have arisen.
Access to the area has been reinforced, constant patrols are being carried out, and checkpoints have been set up to ensure the effectiveness of these actions. Authorities have emphasized that these interventions are being carried out with respect for human rights and within the current legal framework. Furthermore, they have received support from local communities, who have positively valued the intervention as a response to the concerns expressed during the recent "Patriotic March" in the same area.
