President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic has enacted sweeping structural reforms within the nation’s security apparatus through two significant executive actions. Decrees 133-26 and 135-26 mandate comprehensive personnel changes across both the National Police and Armed Forces, signaling a substantial reorganization of the country’s defense and law enforcement leadership.
The National Police undergoes transformative leadership shifts with General Esteban Figuereo García appointed as the new Deputy Director General, replacing General Juan Hilario Guzmán Badía whose previous appointment under Decree 582-23 has been formally revoked. Simultaneously, General Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García assumes the critical role of Inspector General, charged with oversight and accountability functions.
A notable restructuring occurs within internal affairs, where General Werner Manuel Núñez Quezada has been relieved from his position as Director of Internal Affairs. Colonel Francisco Amparo Gómez Polanco receives promotion to general rank and immediate appointment to fill this vital internal oversight role.
Further promotions elevate six colonels to general rank: Jorge Miguel Perdomo Sena, Antonio del Carmen de los Santos, César G. Ares Montás, Ángel M. García Jaime, Gabriel Ant. de los Santos García, and Edgar Ramón Arnoud Vólquez. Concurrently, several senior officers including Generals Julio C. Betances Hernández, Rufino Ant. Contreras Ruiz, Pedro E. Cordero Ubri, Latif M. Mahfoud Rodríguez, and Francisco J. Torres Dotel transition to honorable retirement with full state pensions as mandated by Police Organic Law 590-16.
The Armed Forces experience parallel transformations under Decree 135-26, which authorizes promotions and retirements in accordance with constitutional provisions and Law 139-13, the Organic Law of the Armed Forces. Six colonels ascend to Brigadier General within the Dominican Army: Guillermo Jiménez Arciniega, Oscar L. Ares Gómez, Gustavo Reyes Morales, Jhojany Ramón de Jesús Suriel Otañez, Ignacio Arquímedes Morel Brito, and Manuel José Matos y Matos.
Specialized promotions include Colonel Tomás Rafael Brache Ovalles to Medical General, Pilot Colonel Richard V. Sierra Rodríguez to Pilot General, and Naval Captain Aramis Alexandro Céspedes Aybar to Rear Admiral.
Eleven high-ranking officers enter honorable retirement: Major General Julio César A. Hernández Olivero; Brigadier Generals José Martín Muñoz Jiménez, Catalino Acosta Piantini, Rodolfo Reynoso Green, Germán Alejandro Rosario Pérez, Vicente Mota Medina, and Rafael Eugenio Reyes Castillo; Vice Admiral Samuel Ogaris Jiménez Lorenzo; Rear Admiral Julio Ángel Morales; along with Brigadier Generals (Pilot) Fernando Rafael Hernández Calcaño and (Paratrooper) Juan Manuel Puig Hernández.
These executive actions represent a strategic overhaul of Dominican Republic’s security infrastructure, introducing fresh leadership, recognizing distinguished service through promotions, and implementing planned retirements in strict adherence to established legal frameworks.