Dominican Foreign Ministry Denounces Fake Bukele Quotes Amid Haiti Crisis

The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially debunked a viral social media message falsely attributing critical remarks about the Dominican government and its military to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. The fabricated quote, which claimed that Dominican border forces were "unreliable," circulated during a period of heightened regional tension regarding security in Haiti. The ministry confirmed the statement originated from an unverified, non-existent account and warned it may pursue legal action against those responsible for disseminating the disinformation.

This denial coincides with a critical humanitarian and security operation involving El Salvador. On October 18, four Salvadoran aeromechanics attached to the GSF (Force for the Suppression of Gangs) disappeared after their armored vehicle was ambushed by armed gangs in Croix-des-Bouquets, near Port-au-Prince. President Bukele clarified that these personnel were performing medical evacuation support roles rather than combat duties. In response to the disappearance, El Salvador deployed an additional contingent to Haiti on Thursday to assist in search efforts, though specific troop numbers remain undisclosed.

The timing of the fake news surge aligns with reports of potential human remains found near Port-au-Prince and Bukele’s subsequent denial that bodies received at the airport belonged to his soldiers. The Dominican Foreign Ministry used this incident to urge citizens to verify the authenticity of information attributed to foreign authorities before sharing it, particularly from unofficial profiles. Meanwhile, the violence in Haiti continues to escalate; according to UN data, over 5,700 people have been killed or injured this year due to gang activity, alongside hundreds of kidnappings and sexual assaults. The interplay between the diplomatic dispute over the fake quotes and the ongoing military rescue mission highlights the fragile security environment in the region.