DORAL, FL – In a significant display of hemispheric solidarity, the Dominican Republic has declared its unwavering commitment to combat narcoterrorism and drug trafficking alongside the United States. The announcement came from Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, the nation’s Defense Minister, during the pivotal ‘Anti-Cartels of the Americas’ Conference held at the U.S. military headquarters in Miami.
The high-level gathering, orchestrated by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and attended by National Security Advisor Stephen Miller, assembled over twenty regional leaders. Minister Fernández Onofre articulated a stark reality facing the region: “There can be no sustainable development without security. There can be no prosperity without stability.” Emphasizing the Dominican Republic’s critical geostrategic position in the Caribbean, he positioned the nation as a responsible actor confronting transnational organized crime and emerging threats that jeopardize societal safety.
The conference served as a foundational platform for the forthcoming Shield of the Americas Presidential Summit, scheduled at the Donald Trump National Golf Club in Doral. This subsequent event will see participation from Dominican President Luis Abinader, U.S. President Donald Trump, and numerous other Latin American heads of state. The summit aims to broaden the dialogue to encompass strengthening regional democracy and fostering prosperity, themes repeatedly emphasized by President Trump.
Security for the upcoming event is unprecedented, orchestrated by a coalition of the U.S. Secret Service, major federal agencies, and the City of Doral Police, transforming Doral into a temporary epicenter of global geopolitical attention. Local officials, including Mayor Christi Fraga, have dedicated immense effort to ensure the event’s success and the dignified reception of hemispheric leaders.
Minister Fernández Onofre’s address culminated in a powerful call for collective action, stating, “These challenges know no borders; therefore, our response must be collective as a region.” He framed the creation of a hemispheric coalition not as a mere option but as a “historical necessity,” advocating for aligned priorities, shared best practices, and enhanced collaborative opportunities to deter threats and protect citizens across the Western Hemisphere.