Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader wins reelection with competitors conceding early

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - President Luis Abinader won a second term in the recent elections. He declared victory after his main rivals admitted defeat early in the night. The early vote counts showed he was in a strong position. This win supports Abinader's efforts against corruption, the government's actions on the border with Haiti, and the expulsion of many migrants escaping violence in Haiti. These policies are likely to continue in his next term. Abinader stated that the changes made during his presidency will be permanent. The election process had some minor issues reported by opposition parties, but overall, the voting went smoothly. Many of the 8 million eligible voters were still worried due to the suspension of the 2020 municipal elections because of a technical problem. This led to a high voter turnout. Abinader's focus on fighting corruption and improving the economy has gained him support in the country. The crackdown on Haitian migrants has also boosted Abinader's popularity. The Dominican Republic has been strict with Haitian migrants for a long time, but the measures have intensified since Haiti faced turmoil after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. The Dominican government has built a wall along the border to keep out gangs and maintain security for its citizens. The fear of more crackdowns has caused anxiety among Haitians in the Dominican Republic. Some have fled recent crises in Haiti, while others have lived in the country for a long time. There have been cases of Haitians being detained and threatened with deportation. This situation has left many feeling helpless and scared.