Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The Caribbean nation has reauthorized temporary access for United States aircraft and military personnel to two key air facilities, Las Américas International Airport and San Isidro Air Base, as a core component of bilateral security cooperation under the multilateral Shield of the Americas initiative.
Under the terms of the renewed authorization, U.S. aircraft are permitted to conduct overflights, land, and park at the two sites, with all activity operating under the direct supervision of Dominican national authorities. Local security officials have emphasized that the agreement is designed to bolster cross-border and regional security capacity, boosting joint efforts including aerial surveillance operations, real-time intelligence sharing, specialized training programs for Dominican personnel, and targeted technical assistance.
These collaborative measures are focused on addressing persistent threats to the Dominican Republic and the broader Caribbean region, including illicit drug trafficking, transnational organized criminal networks, and other evolving cross-border security risks.
As an addendum to the broader bilateral security framework, the Dominican government also signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding that creates a pathway for the temporary, exceptional entry of a small group of third-country nationals. The provision only applies to transiting travelers with no prior criminal records, and places strict limits on the number of individuals eligible for this arrangement.
In a parallel move to strengthen national security infrastructure, the Dominican government is currently rolling out modernization upgrades to airport and border security systems. The upgrades integrate cutting-edge biometric identification technologies and new digital verification tools, which officials say will not only enhance domestic and regional security but also lay the groundwork for improved air connectivity and growth in the country’s critical tourism sector in the long term.