Carib Scope

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  • Unconstitutional SOE: Court Orders Major Payout in Damages to Five Detainees

    Unconstitutional SOE: Court Orders Major Payout in Damages to Five Detainees

    In a landmark ruling that reaffirms constitutional protections for fundamental civil liberties, Belize’s Court of Appeal has formally struck down two 2020 States of Emergency (SOE) declarations for Southside Belize City, finding the measures unconstitutional and ordering substantial damage awards to five men who were wrongfully detained under the policies.

    The two emergency orders were first implemented by the Belizean government in March 2020 and again in July of the same year, granting law enforcement sweeping extraordinary powers to arrest and hold individuals in detention without formal criminal charges. Government officials defended the declarations at the time, arguing that a surge in deadly violence — including the murder of two children — created a public safety crisis that regular law enforcement frameworks could not contain.

    Under Belize’s existing constitution, emergency powers that suspend core fundamental rights may only be invoked when a threat reaches a threshold of severity and breadth that outstrips the capacity of standard policing and existing criminal legislation. In its final ruling, the appellate court found the government failed entirely to meet this legal requirement, with no admissible evidence presented to prove a triggering event existed that could not be addressed through normal criminal justice processes.

    The court emphasized that even shocking acts of violence do not automatically justify rolling back constitutional protections. “The evidence of seven murders including children in one day in a particular locality, as hideous as that is, cannot of itself be sufficient to support a declaration of a state of emergency,” the ruling stated. The court further clarified that any disruption to public order must rise to the level of widespread civil unrest that threatens a large number of lives before fundamental rights can be legally suspended.

    Beyond invalidating the SOE declarations themselves, the court also scrutinized the procedural irregularities surrounding the detentions of the five claimants. Each detainee was given only vague justifications for their detention, broadly citing unspecified “gang activities” with no concrete evidence. Belizean law requires that all detentions under emergency powers be reviewed by an independent oversight tribunal, but the government never appointed such a body — leaving the men with no legal avenue to challenge their detention or question the grounds for their incarceration.

    In line with damage awards granted to other plaintiffs who won similar related claims, the court has ordered the government to pay each of the five detainees — Shane Harris, Laquan Shemar Flowers, Dejon Joseph, Dimetris Gordon and Nukie Barrow — a total of $22,000: $15,000 in compensatory damages for the harm suffered, and an additional $7,000 in vindicatory damages to uphold the rule of law.

    Deputy Solicitor General Samantha Matute led the government’s legal argument, alongside attorneys Jarvis Lou and Alea Gomez, while Leeroy Banner and Leslie Mendez served as counsel for the five detainees.

  • Two young Dominican farmers earn regional agricultural honours

    Two young Dominican farmers earn regional agricultural honours

    The Caribbean region is celebrating two rising agricultural leaders from the Commonwealth of Dominica, who have secured the most prestigious regional awards for young farming innovators this year. Dominica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy recently announced that 29-year-old Ephraim Elijah Roberts from Castle Bruce has been honored with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Young Farmer Award, while 28-year-old Dywany St. John of Wesley has been named the 2026 CARICOM Young Farmer of the Year.

    Roberts collected his award on September 3 during the OECS Youth and Women in Agriculture Symposium held in Grenada. A lifelong advocate for agricultural resilience through diversification, Roberts has built a multifaceted farming operation that aligns with his core belief: that spreading production across multiple sectors creates stronger, more adaptable farms. His enterprise combines livestock rearing of goats, sheep, cattle, ducks and guinea pigs with cultivation of root crops, fruit varieties and high-turnover cash crops. He has also integrated beekeeping into his work, which not only generates premium honey as an additional revenue stream but also boosts pollination for his other crops, lifting overall productivity.

    Roberts’ connection to agriculture stretches back to his childhood. He got his start in youth agricultural organizations, leading his primary school’s 4-H Club and participating in his local Scout troop. By secondary school, his passion and aptitude for agricultural science earned him an award for outstanding achievement in the subject. He went on to complete an Associate’s Degree in Agricultural Science, and later became an active member of Dominica’s National Association of Youth in Agriculture (NAYA), an organization dedicated to expanding youth participation and leadership across the national agricultural sector.

    Today, Roberts works as an agricultural educator, working to reframe young people’s perception of farming as a modern, viable career. He introduces students to climate-smart, technology-forward farming practices, and promotes the industry as a sustainable, profitable path for young workers. In line with the official ministry statement, Roberts says his long-term vision is to inspire a new generation of young farmers to enter the sector, strengthen local and regional food security, build inclusive economic opportunity, and advance sustainable development for communities across the Caribbean.

    St. John, the second honoree, earned his CARICOM title after a rigorous selection process by a regional panel of agricultural experts. He will officially receive his award during the opening ceremony of the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, scheduled for September 27 in Trelawny, Jamaica. What makes St. John’s achievement even more notable is that he balances full-time service as a Police Constable with managing a 15-acre diversified farm in Dominica’s northeastern region.

    Like Roberts, St. John has centered his farming model on diversification: his operation includes four acres of plantain, three acres of root crops, eight acres of perennial tree crops, and a livestock portfolio of cattle, goats, sheep and pigs. His interest in farming was nurtured from childhood by his father, a former award-winning farmer, and over the past 12 years, he has built his operation around three core principles: diversification, discipline, and adherence to Good Agricultural Practices.

    St. John supplies fresh produce to the Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA) Multi-Purpose Pack House for export, while also serving local vendors and regional market outlets. His track record of reliable delivery has already earned recognition: he previously received DEXIA’s Consistent Supply of Fresh Agricultural Produce Award, and was named Dominica’s national Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year in 2025 by the Ministry of Agriculture.

    St. John’s farming system combines short, medium and long-term crops with livestock production to create stable, ongoing revenue. He prioritizes sustainable environmental stewardship, using livestock manure to naturally enrich soil fertility, implementing responsible water management, and deploying targeted measures to cut down on soil erosion and chemical runoff. He is also an active NAYA member, collaborating regularly with fellow farmers, agricultural extension services, and national marketing bodies to strengthen the local agricultural ecosystem.

    The CARICOM Young Farmer of the Year award recognizes St. John’s excellence across production, diversification, innovative practice, environmental stewardship, and his contribution to regional agricultural development and food security. The Government of Dominica has issued an official statement congratulating both Roberts and St. John, highlighting their work as models for how young people can drive progress in agriculture, youth empowerment, and food security across the Caribbean.

  • Travel journalists celebrate World Tourism Journalism Day in Maimará, Argentina

    Travel journalists celebrate World Tourism Journalism Day in Maimará, Argentina

    Nestled in the vibrant high-altitude landscapes of Argentina’s northwestern Jujuy province, the postcard-perfect town of Maimará has stepped into the global tourism spotlight as the official host of this year’s World Tourism Journalism Day celebration, held September 5 by the World Organization of Tourism Journalism (OMPT). The event drew a global delegation of travel writers, who explored the region as part of an official press tour highlighting the intersection of cultural heritage, environmental sustainability, and community-centered development.

    Rather than flying or driving to the event, the international press corps arrived in Maimará aboard the Tren Solar de la Quebrada (Quebrada Solar Train), a groundbreaking sustainable rail project that links historic towns across the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Quebrada de Humahuaca valley. Local officials greeted the delegation on arrival: Luis Zerpa, Maimará’s Director of Tourism, was joined by Rocío Vellón, Communications Manager for the Solar Train, and other regional tourism leaders to open the day’s celebrations.

    The solar-powered rail journey was far more than just transportation—it offered journalists an immersive first-hand look at how Jujuy province is integrating green infrastructure with cultural heritage tourism. The scenic route connects six key regional destinations: Volcán, Tumbaya, Purmamarca, Posta de Hornillos, Maimará, and Tilcara. In just a short time, the service has become a standout regional attraction, recently hitting a major passenger milestone of more than 90,000 total riders.

    For an event centered on the future of travel reporting, the immersive journey carried symbolic weight. Instead of traveling to Maimará solely to cover a pre-organized event, the journalists began engaging with the region’s unique identity the moment they boarded the train. Along the route, the dramatic natural landscape and vibrant local communities are core parts of the travel experience, aligning perfectly with the OMPT’s mission of responsible tourism storytelling.

    The event carries extra significance for Maimará, which just weeks earlier earned global acclaim when UN Tourism named it one of the world’s “Best Tourism Villages.” The town beat out more than 260 other candidates from 64 countries to claim the title, becoming the second destination in Jujuy province to earn the honor—following nearby Caspalá. Maimará earned the recognition for its longstanding commitment to three core pillars: preserving its unique cultural heritage, advancing inclusive sustainable development, and building a tourism model led by local community members.

    Beyond its recent global awards, Maimará has long drawn travelers for its one-of-a-kind natural and cultural offerings. It is most famous for the Paleta del Pintor, or “Painter’s Palette,” a dramatic multicolored mountain formation that serves as the town’s iconic, jaw-dropping backdrop. Beyond this natural wonder, visitors can explore deep-rooted local agricultural traditions, sample authentic regional gastronomy, and visit historic landmarks including the well-preserved 19th-century colonial outpost Posta de Hornillos.

    For the OMPT, choosing Maimará as the host for its flagship annual event was a deliberate choice to highlight the critical role that specialized travel journalism plays in elevating underrated rural destinations. The gathering created direct space for global travel storytellers to connect with local government leaders, the team behind the innovative solar rail project, and Maimará’s local residents. This approach embodies the core ethos that defines modern responsible travel journalism: stepping directly into a place, listening to the stories of the people who call it home, and sharing those authentic narratives with global audiences.

    World Tourism Journalism Day itself marks a milestone with deep roots in Argentine tourism. It is held annually on September 5 to commemorate the founding of the OMPT in 2015. The date was selected to honor the vision of OMPT founder Miguel Ledhesma, who launched the organization in Iguazú, Argentina, with a clear mission: to promote ethical, sustainable, and responsible coverage of travel destinations across the globe that prioritizes local communities and environmental stewardship.

  • Protected areas that buffer hurricanes are also among the most exposed in the Dominican Republic.

    Protected areas that buffer hurricanes are also among the most exposed in the Dominican Republic.

    Located in the hurricane-prone Caribbean basin, the Dominican Republic is confronting a striking environmental paradox: the very protected natural areas that shield its communities from hurricane and tropical storm damage are themselves the most vulnerable to repeated cyclonic impacts, new government analysis reveals.

    A comprehensive mapping study published by the Dominican Republic’s National Statistics Office (ONE) tracks the overlap between the country’s National System of Protected Areas and historical cyclone tracks spanning 1990 through projected 2025 pathways. The findings show that key conservation zones have accumulated exposure to as many as 20 separate cyclonic events over the 35-year period, creating urgent new challenges for ecosystem conservation and proactive disaster management.

    Protected areas across the Dominican Republic deliver irreplaceable public and environmental benefits: they safeguard fragile native biodiversity, regulate regional freshwater supplies, prevent soil erosion, and broadly reduce the overall risk of extreme weather damage for adjacent populated areas. However, the majority of these conservation zones are intentionally sited in coastal, mountainous, and other ecologically sensitive landscapes—geographic features that also put them directly in the path of recurring tropical cyclones that form in the Caribbean.

    The study’s most notable finding centers on the two most strictly protected conservation categories: Strict Protection Areas and Habitat and Species Management Areas. These zones, designed to preserve the country’s most vulnerable ecosystems and endangered species, recorded the highest cumulative exposure, with each category hit by 20 separate hurricanes or tropical storms over the study period. National Parks rank next with 15 recorded events, followed by Protected Landscapes at 12, Nature Reserves at 10, and Natural Monuments at six.

    These statistics confirm that the country’s most environmentally valuable conservation territories are also consistently subjected to extreme weather events that can strip away critical vegetation cover and permanently alter the delicate natural conditions these areas are meant to protect.

    ONE researchers explain that tropical cyclones trigger a cascade of harmful impacts in protected zones, including severe flooding, destructive landslides, accelerated coastal erosion, and widespread damage to native plant communities. These hits are disproportionately damaging in conservation areas, where even small ecological disruptions can erase decades of conservation progress for rare or endemic species.

    The situation is uniquely pressing for the Dominican Republic, whose geographic position in the Caribbean places it directly along the annual migration path of tropical cyclone systems forming in the Atlantic Ocean. For this island nation, extreme weather is not a rare anomaly but a recurring seasonal reality that shapes all environmental planning.

    Unlike many previous studies that focus on quantifying damage after individual cyclones, the ONE analysis takes a proactive approach: it does not set out to calculate harm from past storms, but instead maps the overlap between protected area boundaries and historical cyclone tracks to identify long-term exposure patterns. The goal of the work is to help conservation managers prioritize resource allocation for preventive protection that strengthens vulnerable ecosystems before storms hit.

    ONE officials note that the data collected through this study will be a critical tool to improve national territorial planning, inform more effective conservation policy, and enhance broader national disaster risk reduction strategies. Ultimately, the analysis brings a long-unrecognized paradox into sharp focus: the natural ecosystems that act as the Dominican Republic’s first line of defense against extreme weather events are themselves in urgent need of additional targeted protection to survive the rising frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones linked to a changing climate.

  • One in three formal businesses in the Dominican Republic already integrates AI into its daily operations

    One in three formal businesses in the Dominican Republic already integrates AI into its daily operations

    SANTO DOMINGO – A newly released bulletin from the Dominican Republic’s National Statistics Office has marked a key milestone in the nation’s private-sector digital transformation, reporting that 35 percent of formal Dominican companies with internet access have already integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations.

    The findings are drawn from the 2025 National Survey of Economic Activity (ENAE), which also measured that 94.7 percent of all Dominican companies now have access to corporate internet connectivity. This widespread digital infrastructure has laid a critical foundation for the adoption of advanced cutting-edge technological solutions across the country’s business ecosystem, the survey confirmed.

    Analysis of the data shows that organizational size is a major determining factor in AI adoption rates. Large enterprises with 250 or more employees lead the national tech transition, posting a 52 percent AI usage rate. Mid-sized firms, those with between 50 and 99 workers, follow closely with a 46.1 percent adoption rate, positioning the mid-tier business segment as one of the most receptive to operational innovation driven by AI.

    When broken down by productive sector, the report reveals an unexpected leading adopter: the mining and quarrying industry, which holds a 45.7 percent AI usage rate, outpacing all other major economic sectors. Two other sectors with heavy automation dependence rank high as well: construction at 39.1 percent and manufacturing at 38.1 percent. These figures highlight a deep, ongoing shift in the nation’s construction frameworks and industrial production processes.

    Even in the retail sector, 36.9 percent of connected formal businesses have implemented AI solutions, a statistic that underscores a broader national shift: artificial intelligence is no longer a distant future trend for Dominican commerce, but a standard operational resource embedded in daily business activity.

    Alongside rising AI adoption, the Dominican business landscape is undergoing a parallel profound transformation in digital transaction systems. Carlos Santelises, vice president of GCS International, explained that the country has progressed rapidly from legacy magnetic payment terminals to a consolidated ecosystem of contactless payments and instant mobile transfers.

    This evolution has created a simpler, faster transaction infrastructure that benefits formal businesses and plays an outsized role in advancing national financial inclusion. The new system allows consumers to complete payments, deposits, and withdrawals through banking sub-agents located in everyday businesses such as local pharmacies and neighborhood supermarkets.

    Santelises emphasized that digital transaction tools also help both entrepreneurs and regular consumers build formal credit histories. This opens access to regulated credit products through the formal financial system, pulling users away from unregulated informal lenders, while also allowing financial institutions to gain deeper, more accurate insights into customer behavior.

    However, the rapid expansion of corporate connectivity and digital payment systems has also brought new, pressing risks. With that, cybersecurity has become a non-negotiable priority for companies operating in this new digital ecosystem, as threats linked to emerging technologies continue to grow.

    Speaking during the recent Dominican Fintech Forum, organized by the national Fintech association ADOFINTECH, Santelises warned that the development of new digital financial products must be paired with robust risk mitigation systems to address widespread cyber vulnerabilities. Only strong security frameworks can ensure a reliably safe digital environment for businesses and consumers alike.

    For all companies integrated into the nation’s new digital and AI-powered ecosystem, specialized security infrastructure and rigorous data protection protocols are no longer optional add-ons. They are core, essential components to safeguard daily operations and maintain the hard-won trust of Dominican consumers.

  • ! The crown returns to the Dominican Republic! Joheirry Mola wins Miss World in Vietnam

    ! The crown returns to the Dominican Republic! Joheirry Mola wins Miss World in Vietnam

    The Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic is bursting with national pride this week, after one of its own captured a historic second Miss World title at the global pageant held in Vietnam this past Saturday.

    Twenty-year-old educator Joheirry Mola made history when she took home the coveted crown, marking only the second time a Dominican contestant has claimed the pageant’s highest honor. The country’s first Miss World victory came more than four decades ago, in 1982, when Mariela Álvarez made history by bringing the first title home to the Dominican tricolor flag.

    Unlike common misconceptions that frame beauty pageants as solely focused on outward appearance, Mola has centered her platform on purpose-driven advocacy that extends far beyond physical aesthetics. As an English teacher by profession, Mola designed her “Beauty with a Purpose” initiative — a core pillar of the Miss World competition — to expand access to English language education for marginalized, vulnerable communities across her home country.

    Mola argues that English, as a globally spoken universal language, is a key tool for empowerment. She emphasizes that the ability to communicate confidently in a global language opens doors to economic opportunity and personal growth, a right she believes everyone deserves regardless of their background. For Mola, sharing this knowledge with students is more than a job — it is a passion. She has long centered her teaching on helping young people understand that intentionality and preparation are foundational to building meaningful lives, a message she carried with her to the international stage.

    During the competition, Mola also used her platform to challenge outdated norms surrounding beauty and gender. As a woman competing in a global pageant, she pushed for broader conversations about breaking systemic barriers and redefining what it means to be a “beauty queen.” In her public remarks throughout the event, she made clear that outer appearance is far from the most important trait a person possesses, highlighting the power of purpose, advocacy, and education to create lasting change.

    Across the Dominican Republic, Mola’s win has been met with widespread celebration, with community leaders, educators, and members of the public praising not just her historic victory, but her commitment to lifting up vulnerable communities through accessible education.

  • Collado highlights that Punta Bergantín sells US$30 million in a single weekend

    Collado highlights that Punta Bergantín sells US$30 million in a single weekend

    The Dominican Republic’s burgeoning tourism real estate sector has landed a major vote of confidence, after Tourism Minister David Collado announced that the ambitious Punta Bergantín mixed-use development in Puerto Plata moved nearly $30 million worth of residential and commercial units over just one weekend of sales.

    The strong early performance of the project, which is being spearheaded by industry leader Andrés Marranzini, stands as a clear testament to the hard work and collaborative planning that has gone into launching the venture, Collado noted. Beyond the impressive initial sales numbers, officials project that the large-scale development will reshape Puerto Plata’s reputation as a travel and investment hub, elevating it from a well-regarded national destination to one of the most prominent high-end tourism spots across the entire Caribbean.

    Two of the world’s leading hospitality brands, Meliá Hotels International and Hyatt Hotels Corporation, have already signed on as the project’s first major anchor investors. Between the two chains, the development will add more than 1,000 new hotel rooms to Puerto Plata’s inventory, a boost that is expected to generate hundreds of local jobs across construction, hospitality, and supporting services, while sparking widespread new commercial activity across the province.

    Collado also emphasized that Punta Bergantín is being built around a core mission of sustainable development. The sprawling multi-hotel complex is intentionally designed to integrate seamlessly with Puerto Plata’s pristine natural landscapes, prioritizing eco-friendly practices that protect the region’s environment while delivering a luxury experience for visitors and property buyers.

  • Rainieri: “So far, there is no firm policy against sargassum”

    Rainieri: “So far, there is no firm policy against sargassum”

    The increasing inundation of Sargassum seaweed along Dominican Republic’s Caribbean coastlines has emerged as one of the most pressing threats to the nation’s critical tourism industry, smothering white-sand beaches and undermining the visitor experience that draws millions of vacationers to the country each year. While a range of proposals and experimental initiatives have been floated by public and private stakeholders in recent years, none of these plans have moved beyond the discussion stage to deliver tangible, large-scale results.

    Leading the call for immediate action is Frank Rainieri, founder of Grupo Puntacana — one of the Dominican Republic’s most prominent tourism conglomerates, which has shaped the country’s Caribbean tourism identity for decades. Rainieri has stressed that the time for incremental talks has passed, saying the nation must implement a unified, decisive policy framework to tackle the recurring Sargassum crisis once and for all.

    “We have to confront the Sargassum. We have to create a policy against Sargassum; so far there has been talk, but there is no coherent and firm policy against Sargassum,” Rainieri said, emphasizing that long-term planning for the tourism industry cannot move forward without resolving the persistent seaweed problem. The tourism sector cannot safely plan for the 2027 travel season while remaining vulnerable to annual Sargassum outbreaks, he argued, noting that urgent action this year is non-negotiable.

    Rainieri pointed to the long lead times required for infrastructure projects to illustrate why delays are unacceptable: for example, if officials approve a program to deploy offshore barriers to block incoming Sargassum, approval must be granted immediately. Supply orders for the barriers take six months to reach the country, with an additional two months required for on-site installation. If authorization is dragged out, the timeline will slip straight into the next Sargassum season, leaving the coast unprotected once again. “If we go through that time, we will be back in Sargassum season, so we have many things to resolve ahead, and we have to resolve them,” he added.

    Currently, a dedicated interagency cabinet has been convened to evaluate potential mitigation strategies for Sargassum across all of the Dominican Republic’s coastal regions. Once a consensus solution is finalized, the Dominican Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores) will be able to access dedicated funds allocated by the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) to carry out mitigation work on affected beaches nationwide.

    Back in June 2026, Tourism Minister David Collado confirmed that $9 million has already been set aside in a dedicated account for this purpose, ready to be disbursed through Asonahores as soon as a formal mitigation plan is approved.

  • Community members in Las Lavas, Santiago, report health problems and demand a halt to mining activity

    Community members in Las Lavas, Santiago, report health problems and demand a halt to mining activity

    Residents of the small Dominican community of Las Lavas, located in Villa González, Santiago, have united in a urgent call to shut down nearby unregulated mining operations, citing widespread dust pollution, soaring rates of respiratory illness, and unaddressed risks to children’s health that have upended daily life for the 2,000-person neighborhood.

    Community organizers allege that poor environmental conditions tied to intensive mining have contributed to at least five recent resident deaths, though no official causal link has been confirmed by Dominican public health authorities. The movement brought their grievances directly to top local and national officials—including Deputy Minister of the Interior and Police Ángela Jáquez, Villa González Mayor Cesar Álvarez, and representatives of Digesett, the national traffic and transportation security agency—at a special security convening held to address the ongoing conflict between residents and mining operators.

    Rubén Darío Peña Lendóf, president of the local community advocacy group Unidos por Las Lavas, told attendees that the region of less than one square kilometer adjacent to the neighborhood hosts more than 20 separate active extraction sites, where operators pull sand, gravel, and stone from surrounding hills. “We can’t eat at the table, we can’t rub ourselves with a clean sheet, we can’t bring a family member to visit us, because they want to leave right away; their clothes get dirty with dust. You can’t breathe,” Peña Lendóf described, emphasizing how constant mining dust has degraded quality of life for every household in the area.

    Backing up the community’s anecdotal claims, officials from the Dominican Ministry of Public Health presented data from an in-person survey of 486 local residents conducted to assess population health outcomes in the area. Dr. Rafael Polanco, of the Santiago Provincial Directorate of Public Health, outlined survey findings that show staggeringly high rates of respiratory and related conditions among the assessed population: 56% of respondents reported respiratory allergies, 46.7% experienced frequent common colds, 31.3% lived with bronchial asthma, 30% had rhinitis, and 26.7% were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Additional reported conditions included skin disorders, tonsillitis, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, and cancer. The survey also recorded that 63.3% of respondents reported acute respiratory distress, while 66.7% lived with chronic respiratory illness—health officials clarified that these two metrics were measured through separate survey questions and are not overlapping indicators.

    Unlike many public health surveys that rely on remote phone polling, the assessment was conducted entirely through face-to-face interviews with local residents, a detail Polanco highlighted to reinforce the data’s credibility, noting that “we didn’t call people by phone without knowing who we were surveying, questioning, or investigating.”

    For Las Lavas residents, the official survey results validate years of unaddressed concern about the impact of unregulated mining on their community. Community leaders also claim that an earlier joint inspection with an environmental commission found that roughly 90% of the nearby mining operations lack the required legal operating permits, and are calling on authorities to launch a full investigation into permitting compliance.

    In response to the community’s demands, Jáquez outlined a set of incremental policy proposals designed to mitigate harm while addressing the conflict, stressing that there is no quick fix for the ongoing crisis. The proposed measures include a city council resolution banning mining trucks from entering or exiting the extraction area during school drop-off and pick-up hours, with fines for non-compliance, as well as the urgent development of a formal environmental remediation plan led by the Ministry of Environment with input from all affected stakeholders. Jáquez projected that tangible improvements for the community would become visible within a 3-month timeline.

    The proposals have failed to satisfy local residents, who remain firm in their core demand for a full, immediate halt to all mining operations near Las Lavas. Community representatives issued an ultimatum to authorities: if no decisive intervention is delivered within the next 15 days, organizers will launch a 48-hour general strike across the municipality of Villa González to escalate pressure for action.

  • Colombian man has US$600,000 seized at Las Américas Airport

    Colombian man has US$600,000 seized at Las Américas Airport

    Authorities at the Dominican Republic’s busiest international air hub, Las Américas International Airport (AILA), have taken a Colombian national into custody after discovering more than $600,000 in undeclared cash hidden in his luggage and on his person ahead of a planned flight to Panama.

    The interception was a coordinated operation led by the Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Customs (DGA), working alongside the Specialized Corps in Airport and Civil Aviation Security (CESAC) and the Public Ministry’s Prevention and Prosecution Unit targeting smuggling and illicit trafficking. According to official details released after the seizure, the passenger hid $599,700 in U.S. currency inside his carry-on bag, stashed an additional $1,000 in his personal pockets, and also carried 647,000 Colombian pesos that went unreported to customs screeners.

    At the official exchange rate published by Dominican authorities, the total seized U.S. dollars convert to roughly 35,981,930 Dominican pesos (RD$). Dominican law sets a strict cap on the amount of cash travelers can carry across the border without submitting a formal declaration, and this far exceeded that legal threshold. Following the detention, the unnamed passenger was turned over to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which will launch a full investigation to trace the origin and intended final destination of the unreported currency before determining what formal legal charges or actions will be pursued.

    DGA Director General Nelson Arroyo used the high-profile seizure to reaffirm his agency’s ongoing commitment to cracking down on cross-border illicit activity. Arroyo noted that the DGA maintains round-the-clock, enhanced surveillance at all of the country’s ports, airports, and official border crossing points as a core part of its national strategy to disrupt smuggling networks and the illicit trafficking of controlled goods and high-value assets.

    This latest cash seizure is just one of several successful enforcement actions carried out by the DGA in recent weeks. Just one month prior, the agency announced another major win against contraband: the interception of two incoming shipping containers that held 4.5 million contraband cigarettes from the Jaisalmer brand and 961 unreported televisions spanning multiple brands and sizes. Officials estimate that seizure prevented more than RD$42.2 million in lost import duties and tax revenue that would have otherwise gone uncollected by the Dominican government.

    In response to rising concerns about transnational money laundering and illicit cash flows, Dominican customs and airport security teams have ramped up screening protocols for all passengers entering and exiting the country who carry large volumes of cash. The enhanced controls are designed to flag potential smuggling operations, money laundering schemes, and other illegal financial activities before they can be carried out across national borders.