SANTO DOMINGO — In a public update on the country’s evolving public safety strategy on Monday afternoon, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has revealed that border authorities are blocking entry to roughly 20 foreign nationals every week after uncovering prior criminal convictions in their home countries.
The unprecedented security screening policy extends even to travelers from visa-exempt nations, a key clarification the president offered during a strategic roundtable focused on the administration’s Strategic Citizen Security Plan, part of his weekly press briefing series known as the Weekly Agenda.
Abinader emphasized that the proactive border policy is rooted in a clear governing priority: shielding domestic public safety from preventable threats posed by people with documented criminal backgrounds. “Those who should be coming here are tourists, not criminals,” he stated, stressing that the country remains open to legitimate international visitors while cracking down on high-risk entries.
Notably, the president declined to disclose specific nationalities of the individuals who have been denied entry, leaving details of the affected groups unconfirmed at this time. Beyond border security, Abinader also used the platform to reaffirm his administration’s unwavering commitment to cracking down on domestic crime. He confirmed that national law enforcement agencies have the full complement of advanced technology, trained personnel, and institutional resolve required to track down and apprehend suspects who commit offenses within Dominican territory.
The announcement comes as part of a broader push by the Abinader administration to implement the new Strategic Citizen Security Plan, a whole-of-government initiative designed to reduce crime rates and boost public confidence in domestic safety institutions.