Why is Rosemila Petit-Frère Sainvil Still Detained in Cap-Haïtien?

Handed over on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 13, 2025, by Dominican immigration agents at the Ouanaminthe border post, Rosemila Petit-Frère Sainvil was still, 24 hours later, at the North Departmental Directorate of the Haitian National Police (PNH) in Cap-Haïtien.

The former mayor of Arcahaie had been arrested in the Dominican Republic last Sunday while returning from Canada. According to information obtained, she allegedly transported a sum of cash exceeding 10,000 US dollars, which is the limit authorized by international exchange control regulations.

However, before her transfer to the border, the Dominican General Directorate of Migration (DGM) conducted a full inspection of her personal belongings without finding the presumed sum. As part of the procedure, Ms. Petit-Frère Sainvil was questioned by Dominican authorities and international partner agencies, as part of joint actions aimed at regional security and stability.

Regarding the check copy mentioned by the Dominican daily Listín Diario, the person concerned specified that it was an amount of 485,000 gourdes intended for the payment of her private company's staff. The CEO of Radio Télé Monopole also exclusively told the Le Relief Inter news agency that she had nothing to reproach herself for.

The Dominican DGM affirmed that, throughout the procedure, Ms. Petit-Frère Sainvil's rights, dignity, and physical integrity had been respected, adding that « the information obtained does not compromise national security. » No charges were brought against her, and the DGM deemed it inappropriate to continue the procedure on Dominican territory.

Her official handover to Haitian authorities took place on Wednesday afternoon at the Dajabón border post, in the presence of Polifront personnel in Juana Méndez, in accordance with bilateral cooperation agreements.

However, when questioned about the reasons for her prolonged presence at the North Departmental Directorate of the PNH, the former mayor stated that she was unaware of the reasons for her detention, asserting that neither the Public Prosecutor's Office nor the Central Directorate of Judicial Police (DCPJ) had a file against her.

Dismayed by the situation, Ms. Petit-Frère Sainvil appealed to her lawyer, Me Guerby Blaise, who announced his decision to use all legal remedies to quickly obtain her release. Holder of a humanitarian passport, she assures that she remains firm and determined to overcome this ordeal « as a fighter ».