Rosemila Petit-Frère Handed Over to Haitian Authorities After Four Days in Dominican Custody

Darbouze Figaro

Former mayor of Arcahaie, Rosemila Petit-Frère, who was detained on Sunday, August 10, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, while returning from Canada, was handed over to Haitian authorities on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Her transfer took place under heavy police escort, marking the start of judicial proceedings whose full scope has yet to be determined.

Upon arrival at the Haiti–Dominican Republic border in a vehicle belonging to Dominican immigration services, Petit-Frère was received by Chief Commissioner Léonard Anténor, head of the Haitian border police unit, Polifront. Contrary to expectations, she was not taken to the Ouanaminthe police station but was instead transferred directly to the Northern Department’s Judicial Police Service (SDPJ).

“Due to logistical constraints and ongoing renovation work, we were unable to receive her here,” Northeast Departmental Director of the Haitian National Police (PNH), Divisional Commissioner Jacques Antoine Étienne, told Le Nouvelliste. “In line with instructions from the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ), she was taken to the Northern SDPJ for legal follow-up.”

According to Dominican authorities, Petit-Frère was detained for questioning upon her arrival at Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata from Canada. Wearing a blouse, blue jeans, and black sandals, she was carrying two suitcases containing her travel documents and other personal effects, the nature of which is to be examined by investigators.

Dominican intelligence reports indicated that the former Arcahaie official was suspected of transporting a large sum of cash. However, security checks conducted by multiple agencies found no physical currency in her possession. Instead, several checks of varying amounts were discovered, prompting her transfer to Santo Domingo for in-depth questioning and coordination of her handover to Haitian authorities, according to a statement from the Dominican General Directorate of Immigration (DGM).

While the exact reasons for her arrest and extradition have not been officially disclosed, the case raises multiple questions: What is the origin and purpose of the seized checks? Are they linked to embezzled public funds or legitimate financial transactions? What charges, if any, does she face—corruption, fraud, or involvement in other ongoing legal matters?

Further developments are expected in the coming hours, as Petit-Frère is scheduled to be questioned by Haitian judicial authorities.

This arrest comes at a time when several former Haitian officials are facing sanctions from foreign governments, including the United States and Canada, or are being prosecuted by Haitian courts for corruption, financial mismanagement, or collusion with armed groups.

Petit-Frère is among those named in a report by Haiti’s Central Financial Intelligence Unit (UCREF), accused of involvement in money laundering schemes. Should charges be brought against her in connection with her recent detention in the Dominican Republic, the case could further fuel debate over the impunity often enjoyed by current and former public officials in Haiti.

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