Dominican Special Forces honored after historic Fuerza Comando Paraguay victory

In a celebratory ceremony held in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Defense (MIDE) formally recognized the nation’s elite Special Forces unit for securing a groundbreaking first-place finish at the 2026 Fuerza Comando Paraguay international military competition, marking the first time the country has claimed the top honor in the event’s history. The official event was led by Defense Minister Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, who opened the ceremony with a ceremonial raising of the Dominican national flag, a symbolic tribute to the extraordinary achievement of the participating service members. Each member of the victorious team received high-ranking honors tailored to their branch of service, including the MIDE Medal of Merit alongside distinguished decorations from the Order of Military Merit, the Order of Naval Merit, and the Order of Air Merit. During his address at the ceremony, Minister Fernández Onofre shared official congratulations from Dominican President Luis Abinader and confirmed that the champion team will receive a formal reception in the coming days at the National Palace, the seat of the country’s executive government. The victory, Fernández Onofre emphasized, is a clear reflection of the significant advances the Dominican Armed Forces have made in recent years across critical areas: rigorous training standards, professional development of service members, technological modernization of capabilities, and overall operational readiness. He also took time to acknowledge the personal sacrifices made by the competing soldiers, as well as the ongoing support they received from their families, training instructors, and commanding officers throughout their preparation for the competition. Encouraging the team to build on this success, the minister urged them to sustain their unwavering commitment to operational excellence and serve as a benchmark of dedication and skill for upcoming generations of Dominican soldiers. For MIDE leadership, this historic win stands as a defining milestone in the history of the Dominican Armed Forces. Beyond the competition itself, officials note that the achievement enhances the military’s global standing and provides tangible proof that Dominican Special Forces can compete effectively against the most elite units from around the world at the highest international levels.