SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant diplomatic engagement underscoring bilateral security cooperation, U.S. Ambassador Leah F. Campos convened with José M. Cabrera Ulloa, head of the National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD), to present Special Agent Richard Cernuda as the newly appointed interim DEA attaché for the Dominican Republic.
The high-level meeting marked a pivotal moment in cross-border crime prevention efforts, with Ambassador Campos emphasizing that the reestablishment of DEA operations in Santo Domingo under fresh leadership demonstrates both nations’ mutual dedication to intensifying their joint offensive against international drug trafficking, narcoterrorism, and systemic corruption.
DNCD President Cabrera Ulloa extended his official endorsement of the appointment, praising the existing robust partnership between Dominican and U.S. law enforcement agencies in addressing transnational criminal organizations. During the discussions, officials from both countries reiterated their unwavering commitment to collaborative strategies aimed at dismantling sophisticated illegal networks and enhancing security infrastructure throughout the Caribbean region.
The strategic repositioning of DEA leadership occurs amid escalating challenges posed by sophisticated narcotics syndicates operating across maritime borders, signaling Washington’s renewed focus on hemispheric security partnerships.