Santo Domingo – President Luis Abinader revealed on Monday that the Dominican government is still in the process of selecting a candidate to head the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), despite a recent recommendation from the United States. The announcement was made during his weekly “La Semanal” meeting in Santiago, where Abinader emphasized the importance of the role in addressing global challenges such as drug trafficking, crime, and delinquency. He noted that consultations are actively underway with the U.S. and other allied nations to ensure the right candidate is chosen. The U.S. Department of State, represented by Rebecca Márquez, director of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, proposed that the Dominican Republic nominate a candidate, citing the nation’s exemplary efforts in drug control and organized crime prevention. The current UNODC Executive Director, Ghada Waly, is set to step down in November 2025, leaving a critical leadership vacancy.