As reliable sources told Le Nouvelliste, Presidential Councilor Smith Augustin did indeed enter Dominican territory without complying with that country’s immigration control procedures. He was in fact summoned by Dominican authorities. While the CPT member denies having been detained in the neighboring territory, he does confirm having made a personal trip to the other side of the island. The Dominican General Directorate of Migration confirms that the Haitian official was indeed summoned in order to complete the immigration control process…

While the members of the Transitional Presidential Council consider themselves all to be Presidents of the Republic, they do not always behave as such. Whether for a private or official trip to a foreign country, a president does not — and should not attempt to — bypass compliance with immigration procedures governed by international conventions. Many are wondering how Smith Augustin could have entered Dominican territory without completing immigration control and believe that no one on the other side of the island would notice his violation.