Port-au-Prince, Haiti — February 4, 2025
The Haitian National Police (PNH) announced on Monday the arrest of Maria Estela Fajardo, a Dominican businesswoman and owner of the nightclub “La Patrona” in Tabarre 36, following a cross-border investigation into alleged human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The arrest underscores growing regional efforts to combat transnational crime.
Fajardo, 42, was detained on January 29, 2025, after Dominican authorities issued a formal request through INTERPOL, linking her to the disappearance of a 15-year-old girl and a broader probe into sex trafficking networks. Haitian officials confirmed the arrest in a statement, revealing that Fajardo had been evading capture for weeks before being apprehended at an undisclosed location in Port-au-Prince.
“This arrest demonstrates our resolve to pursue justice beyond borders,” the PNH said, emphasizing collaboration with the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) and INTERPOL. Dominican prosecutors allege Fajardo operated a clandestine ring exploiting minors across Hispaniola, leveraging her club as a front.
Haiti’s judicial authorities are now reviewing evidence to determine whether Fajardo will face charges domestically or be extradited to the Dominican Republic. Under Haitian law, human trafficking carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, though the country’s overburdened legal system and limited resources have historically complicated prosecutions.
The case highlights escalating efforts by Caribbean nations to address interconnected crises of crime, corruption, and displacement. Haiti, in particular, has faced mounting international pressure to curb trafficking networks amid political instability and gang violence. In 2024, the U.S. State Department flagged Haiti as a “Tier 3” jurisdiction for human trafficking, citing systemic failures to protect vulnerable groups.
Dominican officials praised the arrest as a “critical step” in dismantling cross-border exploitation but urged further action. “This is one thread in a larger web,” said Santo Domingo’s Attorney General María Consuelo Díaz. “We must sever these ties completely.”
Fajardo’s detention follows a 2023 bilateral agreement between Haiti and the Dominican Republic to enhance policing cooperation, though tensions over migration and border security persist. Human rights advocates warn that without sustained investment in Haiti’s judicial infrastructure, such arrests may yield limited long-term impact.
