Fresh off his formal inauguration to the Dominican Republic’s top foreign affairs post, Víctor “Ito” Bisonó has convened his first high-level bilateral meeting with U.S. Ambassador Leah Francis Campos in the nation’s capital of Santo Domingo. The gathering centered on reviewing the trajectory of Dominican-U.S. relations and mapping out collaborative priorities that align with the mutual interests of both Caribbean and North American nations.
Over the course of the discussions, the two senior officials walked through long-standing shared policy priorities and untapped opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, building on the decades of robust economic, political, and people-to-people connections that have defined the partnership between the two countries. Bisonó opened the meeting by underscoring the depth and durability of the bond between the Dominican Republic and the United States, pointing to core aligned values including democratic governance, individual freedom, and unwavering respect for national sovereignty as foundational pillars of the relationship. He reaffirmed the Dominican government’s ongoing commitment to collaborative work with Washington to advance inclusive shared prosperity and regional stability across the hemisphere.
Attendees also dedicated time to exploring potential new avenues for expanded collaboration and cultural, economic, and policy exchange across sectors identified as top priorities for both governments. As one of the Dominican Republic’s largest and most influential international partners, the United States maintains deep, multifaceted ties with the island nation spanning cross-border trade, foreign direct investment, security and development cooperation, and extensive interpersonal social connections between Dominican and American communities.
The entire meeting unfolded in a warm, cordial, and forward-looking atmosphere, with both officials leaving the gathering reaffirming their shared commitment to sustaining open, regular diplomatic dialogue and advancing the bilateral agenda rooted in reciprocal respect for national interests. Bisonó stepped into his new role leading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) just recently, after he was sworn in by Vice President Raquel Peña in accordance with Decree 554-26, issued by sitting Dominican President Luis Abinader. His appointment follows the resignation of former Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, who stepped down from the role earlier this year.