In a decisive move to preserve one of the Dominican Republic’s most vital ecological treasures, a formidable coalition of environmental and military forces executed a large-scale interdiction operation within Los Haitises National Park. The meticulously coordinated mission, spearheaded by the National Environmental Protection Service (Senpa), successfully disrupted extensive illegal settlement and agricultural activities that have been encroaching upon the park’s delicate ecosystems.
The operation represented an unprecedented show of force, deploying assets across all domains. Naval vessels established a maritime perimeter while Air Force helicopters provided aerial surveillance and transport. On the ground, elite units including the Army Commando Battalion, Navy Marine Corps, Air Force Special Forces, and the Migration Reaction Unit conducted precise interventions alongside park rangers and environmental guides.
Substantive outcomes from the operation include the apprehension of 56 individuals, with 52 identified as undocumented foreign nationals and 4 Dominican citizens. Authorities eliminated multiple unauthorized agricultural clearings and confiscated five mules used for transporting supplies to support illicit farming operations. Additionally, enforcement teams seized dozens of sacks of yautía (a root vegetable similar to taro) that had been illegally cultivated within protected park boundaries.
Government officials characterized the operation as a clear demonstration of institutional resolve to enforce environmental protection statutes. The action reinforces the administration’s commitment to combating ecological degradation and preserving the nation’s natural heritage against unauthorized exploitation. This strategic intervention establishes a significant precedent for future conservation efforts in protected areas nationwide.