In high-level diplomatic defense talks held in Santo Domingo, senior military leaders from the Dominican Republic and the United States have moved to solidify decades of collaborative ties, reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening bilateral military cooperation. The gathering brought together Dominican Republic Defense Minister Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre with a high-ranking delegation from United States Southern Command, headed by the command’s Deputy Commander Evan Pettus and senior enlisted leader Rafael Rodríguez.
Discussion at the meeting centered on multiple priority areas designed to strengthen collaborative work across the two nations’ armed forces. Key agenda items included advancing joint action in regional security, expanding tailored military training opportunities, boosting the operational capacity of both defense forces, developing advanced professional military education programs, and improving tactical interoperability between the two countries’ military units. Beyond these core focus areas, participating officials also exchanged perspectives on new initiatives to upgrade military readiness, drive forward the modernization of defense infrastructure and equipment, and support continuous professional growth for service members from both nations.
Both delegations used the meeting to restate their shared dedication to growing joint defense programs that deliver tangible benefits to regional stability. Leaders emphasized that the long-standing strategic partnership between the Dominican Republic and the United States has been carefully built over generations of collaboration, spanning everything from targeted technical assistance and large-scale training initiatives to regular professional exchanges between military personnel. This latest high-level visit serves as a public demonstration of the ongoing strength of this defense relationship, and signals both nations’ intent to continue expanding cooperative work to address shared security challenges in the region.