Dominican law enforcement officials apprehended Alicia Anabel Santos Díaz, a 54-year-old U.S. resident, at Las Américas International Airport (AILA) on Tuesday following judicial orders related to alleged disrespect toward the Dominican National Anthem. The arrest represents a significant enforcement of the nation’s laws protecting revered national symbols.
The detention was executed under warrant number 2025-AJ0051862, authorized by Judge Fátima Veloz of the Tenth Court of Instruction of the National District on August 7. The legal action stems from alleged violations of Articles 37 and 39 of Law 210-19, which specifically governs the proper use and protection of Dominican national symbols.
According to investigative reports, the incident originated during a literary presentation at the Spanish Cultural Center in Santo Domingo’s Colonial City district. Authorities allege that while the musical arrangement of the national anthem was played during the event, the official lyrics were substantially altered in a public forum. Multiple patriotic institutions, including the Duartian Institute and the Permanent Commission of Patriotic Anniversaries (CPEP), submitted formal complaints supported by audiovisual evidence that had circulated extensively on social media platforms.
The judicial order for arrest specifically cited the defendant’s foreign residency and temporary status in the Dominican Republic as creating substantial flight risk concerns. The Public Prosecutor’s Office continues its investigation to determine appropriate legal consequences under Dominican jurisprudence, with the case highlighting the serious approach authorities take toward perceived violations of national symbol protections.