SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant move to bolster hemispheric security cooperation, U.S. Secretary of War Peter Hegseth is scheduled to undertake an official visit to the Dominican Republic this week. The announcement was made by Dominican President Luis Abinader, who framed the high-level engagement as a pivotal step in deepening the bilateral partnership against transnational drug trafficking networks.
The upcoming strategic dialogue comes against a backdrop of escalating cocaine production across several South American nations, a trend that has intensified concerns within both governments. President Abinader underscored the robust and proven history of security collaboration between the two nations, attributing the strengthened alliance to the Dominican Republic’s demonstrable successes in recent counter-narcotics operations. This operational effectiveness, he noted, has significantly elevated Washington’s confidence in Santo Domingo as a reliable regional partner.
Further solidifying the nation’s standing on the global stage, President Abinader revealed the historic nomination of Dominican counter-drug expert Leandro Villanueva for the top position at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). If appointed, Villanueva would become the first Dominican national to lead the influential international body.
The president also extended commendations to Vice Admiral José Cabrera Ulloa, head of the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), who is recognized by U.S. authorities as an indispensable figure in the regional campaign against the proliferation of fentanyl.
Secretary Hegseth’s diplomatic mission aligns with a broader U.S. strategy to increase pressure on the Venezuelan government. This policy was recently manifested through the designation of the Cartel of the Suns as a foreign terrorist organization—a decision that provides American agencies with enhanced legal instruments to dismantle the network. U.S. officials have alleged extensive connections between the cartel, President Nicolás Maduro, and senior members of Venezuela’s military command. The State Department has concurrently issued bounty offers totaling up to $50 million for information leading to the capture of Maduro and other accused operatives.
While the full agenda for the Hegseth-Abinader meeting remains under development, the Dominican leader confirmed that central talks will concentrate on refining tactical coordination and sustaining the current momentum in joint interdiction efforts. Additional details regarding the collaborative roadmap are anticipated to be disclosed in the coming days.