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  • Dominican Republic explores nuclear energy opportunities through U.S. cooperation

    Dominican Republic explores nuclear energy opportunities through U.S. cooperation

    Santo Domingo — The Dominican Republic is actively examining the role nuclear technologies could play in its long-term national energy roadmap, even as top government officials stress no final decision has been reached on constructing a full-scale nuclear power plant. Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos Echavarría laid out the country’s current exploratory approach during a recent policy discussion with leaders of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (Amchamdr).

    Santos framed the evaluation of nuclear technologies as a necessary response to two pressing shifts in the Dominican energy sector: rapidly rising domestic electricity demand and the urgent need to diversify the country’s energy mix to enhance long-term reliability. Official projections show the nation’s total installed electricity generation capacity has already climbed from roughly 4,921 megawatts in 2020 to more than 7,600 megawatts as of 2026, with peak summer demand exceeding 4,300 megawatts in July alone.

    The minister highlighted that strategic cooperation with the United States could unlock critical benefits for the Dominican Republic’s exploratory process, including targeted knowledge transfer, hands-on technical assistance, specialized professional training, and targeted support to strengthen domestic energy institutions. Beyond power generation, Santos emphasized that nuclear science carries a wide range of cross-sector applications that could benefit the country, ranging from advanced nuclear medicine for public health systems to improved crop irradiation techniques in agriculture, more effective freshwater resource management, rigorous environmental pollution monitoring, expanded scientific research capabilities, and advanced industrial processing.

    Turning to grid stability, Santos noted that the rapid expansion of variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind power requires complementary baseload generation capacity, utility-scale energy storage solutions, and major upgrades to national transmission infrastructure to guarantee a consistent, resilient power supply for homes and businesses. He also devoted specific attention to small modular reactors (SMRs), an emerging nuclear technology that has gained growing global attention in recent years thanks to their compact footprint, ability to provide continuous 24/7 power generation, and inherent flexibility to complement intermittent renewable energy output. Even as he outlined the potential benefits of SMRs, Santos made clear the technology is only under consideration as a long-term option, with no immediate plans for deployment.

    In a key clarification to address public and industry speculation, Santos stressed that the current cooperation agreement between the Dominican Republic and the United States does not equate to a binding commitment to build a nuclear power plant, nor has the country selected a specific nuclear technology or approved large-scale capital investment for a nuclear project. The current phase of cooperation is exclusively focused on building the technical, scientific, regulatory, and institutional capacity the Dominican Republic needs to responsibly evaluate all future energy options before making any major policy decisions.

    Looking ahead, the government has outlined clear next steps for its exploratory process: updating and strengthening the national nuclear regulatory framework, establishing an independent nuclear regulatory authority to oversee safety and compliance, training a new generation of specialized nuclear professionals, and expanding collaborative partnerships with the United States, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and other global technical partners.

  • Newton burial ground set for November opening

    Newton burial ground set for November opening

    As Barbados prepares to mark its 60th anniversary of independence this November, one of the country’s most significant sites of historical memory is on track to open to the public, the island’s Minister of Pan African Affairs and Heritage Trevor Prescod has confirmed. The Newton Slave Burial Ground, the final resting place for an estimated 600 enslaved African people held at Barbados’ Newton Plantation, will launch its new memorial site in parallel with national independence celebrations, honoring the lives and legacy of those who died in chattel slavery.

    In a recent update on construction progress, Prescod stressed that the core burial ground itself will remain entirely undisturbed, a deliberate choice to respect the dignity of the people interred there. All current development work is focused on upgrading peripheral features and adding visitor-focused infrastructure to the site. “The burial ground is the battleground, and there’s nothing much we can do about the battleground, but we just replace a number of features on the periphery of the burial ground itself, and we normally try to keep it well groomed,” Prescod explained.

    At the heart of the new development is a distinctive egg-shaped dome structure that will house an interpretation center, designed to share the history of the burial ground and the people buried there with visitors. Most structural elements of the dome are already in place, including 12 imported support pillars, which were sourced from overseas after suitable materials could not be obtained locally in Barbados or neighboring countries. Prescod noted that the pillars carry intentional symbolic weight: each one stands as a representation of the enslaved people laid to rest on the plantation land. While contractors are still completing final fine-tuning work on the structure, Prescod said they have given formal assurances the project will meet its November completion deadline.

    Beyond the central memorial dome, the site upgrade includes a range of new accessible features for visitors. A large, winding pedestrian boardwalk that loops from the entrance to the southern edge of the property is mostly complete, with Prescod confirming the pathway will be ready in time for the opening. The southern end of the site will also host an indigenous herbal garden reflecting Caribbean plant heritage and a naturally formed pond, while plans for a small outdoor gathering area are being adjusted to accommodate required land regrading work.

    Modern geospatial survey technology deployed during the pre-construction phase has already yielded new insights into the scope of the historic site. Surveys confirmed the burial ground’s footprint extends further west than initial 20th century surveys recorded, and there is a high likelihood of additional unrecorded burials in that expanded area. The technology also identified a distinct section of the site holding a large concentration of historical artifacts. Despite these promising discoveries, Prescod confirmed that no large-scale archaeological excavation will take place ahead of the November opening, with future study deferred to a later date to prioritize the timely launch of the memorial.

    As the project enters its final weeks, the project architect continues to conduct regular site inspections, and remaining finishing work including removal of temporary construction roofing is underway, putting the long-planned memorial on track to open as a centerpiece of Barbados’ 60th independence commemorations.

  • Postal Service to revive Jackie Opel Amphitheatre

    Postal Service to revive Jackie Opel Amphitheatre

    Decades of silence will soon end at the long-underutilised Jackie Opel Amphitheatre located within the General Post Office complex in Cheapside, Barbados. Postmaster General Joann Busby has announced a bold strategic plan to breathe new life into the forgotten public space, transforming it into a permanent hub for cultural expression, youth artistic performance, and community heritage celebration. The announcement was timed to coincide with what would have been the 89th birthday of Jackie Opel, the groundbreaking Barbadian musician who invented the iconic spouge genre, who died prematurely 56 years ago at just 32 years old.

    “For far too long, this amphitheatre has stood largely empty and quiet,” Busby shared in her address marking the occasion. “Countless pedestrians pass it by without a second glance; some long-term residents have forgotten it exists, while many younger Barbadians never knew it was here at all. But public spaces like this were never meant to be static monuments locked away in history. They are meant to be living, breathing places where culture grows, meaningful community conversations take root, new artists are discovered, and Barbadians come together to share and write our national story.”

    Under the new operational framework outlined by Busby, the amphitheatre will host a regular, year-round lineup of events tailored to creators of all ages and backgrounds. Emerging musicians will use the stage to debut new work, spoken word poets will share their original perspectives, school students will get their first taste of public performance, and local families will gather to experience authentic, homegrown Barbadian art. The Barbados Postal Service, which manages the site, has taken the lead on the revitalisation project, a move Busby said aligns with the institution’s broader public service mission.

    Busby praised her team for their forward-thinking vision that turned an overlooked, underused asset into an opportunity to reconnect the nation to its cultural heritage. “Many people walked past this amphitheatre and only saw an empty, forgotten space, but the Barbados Postal Service saw a chance to properly honour one of our greatest national icons,” she explained. “Today, thanks to that vision, this space is already coming alive again with the sound of music, voices, laughter, and shared purpose. Preserving our national culture is not a responsibility that falls only to historians or museum curators. Culture belongs to every single Barbadian, and every public institution has a part to play in protecting and nurturing it.”

    For Busby, the project is far more than a simple infrastructure upgrade. It is an investment in Barbados’ collective national identity and intergenerational legacy. She emphasized that artists are just as foundational to a nation’s strength as politicians, educators, medical professionals, and business leaders. “Art shapes how a country sees itself. Artists hold onto our stories, capture our struggles, celebrate our wins, and give voice to our collective hopes, and that is exactly what Jackie Opel did when he created spouge,” she noted.

    Opel’s revolutionary approach to music saw him blend diverse existing genres – including calypso, ska, gospel, and rhythm and blues – to create something completely new, a unique sound that Barbadians could claim as their own. Though his life was cut short, his impact has endured: decades after his death, Opel is still taught in Barbadian schools, and contemporary musicians continue to draw inspiration from his innovative work. Busby used his legacy to challenge all Barbadians to think about the impact they can leave on their communities, noting that legacy building is not reserved for famous icons – it is open to everyone from parents and teachers to the postal workers who deliver mail across the island every day.

    Busby made a formal commitment on behalf of the Barbados Postal Service that the amphitheatre will not be allowed to fall back into disuse in the future. The department’s long-term strategic plan calls for close partnerships with the national Division of Culture, local educators, artistic collectives, and grassroots community organisations to build a consistent public events calendar. “Jackie Opel answered the question of legacy through his creative work, and each of us has to answer that question through the lives we choose to live,” Busby said in closing. “Barbados does not grow stronger by accident. It grows stronger when every citizen chooses to teach, to create, to mentor, and to serve. History is written by all of us, each contributing a line, a paragraph, or a chapter. As we reawaken this remarkable space, may we all leave inspired not just to celebrate a great legend, but to build a lasting legacy of our own.”

  • PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Women’s Camp Meeting 2026

    PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Women’s Camp Meeting 2026

    Ahead of the weekend, the Women of Love Women’s Ministry at Buckley’s Church of God of Prophecy has released a public service announcement inviting communities across the region to join its much-anticipated annual Women’s Camp Meeting, scheduled to kick off this Sunday, August 30 at 4:00 p.m.

    Held under a large green and white tent at the church’s Buckley’s Site location in Basseterre, this year’s gathering centers on the thoughtful and inspiring theme “Diversity Through Evangelism.” Unlike many gender-exclusive religious events, organizers have extended a warm welcome to people of all genders, alongside existing church groups, partner ministries and members of the general public who wish to attend.

    The event is designed to create space for meaningful connection, collective worship, and mutual encouragement for attendees from all different backgrounds and life experiences. A core focus of this year’s camp meeting is celebrating the varied unique gifts that faith communities foster among their members, while uniting participants around a shared goal of growing as intentional, compassionate witnesses for Christian faith. Organizers say the gathering will emphasize the values of unity, shared purpose, and radical love across diverse groups of believers, and they are eager to welcome new and returning guests to join in this special time of community fellowship.

    The announcement, posted late Friday afternoon on August 28, 2026, closes with a blessing for all those considering attending, and an open invitation to anyone seeking a welcoming space to connect with other people of faith.

  • Is Your AC Driving Up Your Light Bill?

    Is Your AC Driving Up Your Light Bill?

    As record-breaking heat becomes more common across Belize, air conditioning has shifted from a luxury for wealthy households to a near-necessity for families across all income brackets. But this growing accessibility comes with a hidden cost: thousands of Belizeans are seeing their monthly electricity bills skyrocket, driven in part by common missteps in AC use that force units to work far harder than necessary.

    Energy experts explain that dropping market prices have democratized access to cooling technology over the past decade. “It is across the board, as soon as somebody can afford it, and they are getting much cheaper nowadays, so you start seeing a lot more people from different tax brackets started purchasing ACs,” explained Jordanny Williams, an engineer with FT Williams & Associates. With average summer temperatures climbing year over year, the strain on these units and the power grid has grown accordingly.

    Lynn Young, Executive Chairman of Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), notes that the energy demand of AC units rises sharply as outdoor temperatures increase. “An AC for that kind of temperature difference might burn fifty or sixty percent more energy that it normally would burn for the same period of time, for the same indoor temperature,” Young said. This means on the hottest days, cooling can eat through a household’s energy budget far faster than most residents anticipate.

    The good news, Williams says, is that most households can cut their cooling-related energy use with simple, low-effort adjustments. One of the most common mistakes he has observed is users setting thermostats to unnecessarily low temperatures. In many residential and commercial spaces across Belize, he has found high-wall mini-split units set to as low as 16 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit), a target that is functionally impossible to reach given most local building construction that lacks heavy insulation in walls, roofs and ceilings. “It doesn’t make the AC cool better or anything like that,” Williams explained. “It just makes it work a lot harder.”

    Instead of extreme low temperatures, Williams recommends setting thermostats between 23 and 24 degrees Celsius (73 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit), only dropping the temperature one or two degrees during the most extreme heat waves. He also advises keeping the AC fan set to medium to optimize moisture removal, and scheduling regular professional maintenance to keep units running efficiently. Even small changes to these settings can produce noticeable reductions in monthly energy use, he added.

    But while these habits can curb overconsumption, they do not fully explain the steep increases many Belizean households are seeing in their electricity bills. Williams, who follows all of his own guidance, says his own monthly bill jumped by 33% in the last month alone, even though he keeps his thermostat set to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.5 degrees Celsius) overnight and never drops it below 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius).

    “If you did not implement some of these same advices, your bill could have been much higher?” asked investigative reporter Paul Lopez of News Five, who reported on the issue.

    “I don’t want to imagine what that bill would be,” Williams responded.

    While improved AC habits can slow rising energy costs, the reporter notes that even correct usage does not eliminate steep bill increases, leaving open the question of whether other factors — including BEL’s new smart metering infrastructure — may also be contributing to the higher monthly charges many residents are facing.

  • Portsmouth Tissue Culture Laboratory strengthens Dominica’s agricultural capacity

    Portsmouth Tissue Culture Laboratory strengthens Dominica’s agricultural capacity

    The Caribbean island nation of Dominica is making a strategic investment in long-term agricultural stability via its state-of-the-art Tissue Culture Laboratory based in Portsmouth, a facility that is transforming local farming output and disaster readiness. Capable of generating over 500,000 disease-free, high-quality plant specimens annually, the lab directly addresses a longstanding gap in the local agricultural supply chain by expanding consistent access to robust, healthy planting material for smallholder and commercial farmers across the island. Beyond boosting routine production, the facility is designed to dramatically strengthen the overall resilience of Dominica’s farming sector, which has long faced threats from climate-driven extreme weather events.

    Speaking at a post-Budget town hall gathering hosted in the community of Loubiere, Roland Royer, Dominica’s Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, outlined the far-reaching benefits of the laboratory and its impact on both industry development and local employment. A key, often overlooked highlight of the initiative is that the entire operation is staffed and led by young, skilled Dominican professionals. These specialists gained cutting-edge technical expertise through specialized training programs overseas, fully funded by the Dominican government, creating a circular model that empowers local talent while driving national agricultural progress. After completing their training, the young experts returned to their home country to apply their skills to advancing the domestic agriculture sector.

    A core secondary function of the facility that underscores its role in national climate resilience is its purpose-built secure seed storage infrastructure, which delivers critical disaster-preparedness value to the island. Minister Royer emphasized that this controlled storage capacity guarantees that irreplaceable critical planting material will remain protected and accessible, even in the aftermath of catastrophic weather events. When hurricanes or other natural disasters — recurring hazards for small island developing states like Dominica — damage existing crops and destroy local seed stocks, the lab can rapidly deploy its stored and pre-grown healthy planting material to speed up the recovery of the country’s agricultural sector, helping farmers get back to production far faster than would otherwise be possible.

  • NGC: Aphrodite moving ahead

    NGC: Aphrodite moving ahead

    Despite circulating rumors of a delay to development, energy giant Shell and Trinidad and Tobago’s National Gas Company (NGC) have publicly reaffirmed that the flagship Aphrodite offshore natural gas project remains on schedule, with the 2027 target for first production still firmly in place.

    In a recent phone interview with local media, NGC Chairman Gerald Ramdeen pushed back against claims the project had stalled, noting that while specific negotiation details remain bound by non-disclosure agreements, all involved parties remain fully committed to hitting the agreed production timeline. “NGC stands ready to move forward with executing the Aphrodite project alongside Shell on the mutually agreed terms, effective immediately, as we prioritize advancing Trinidad and Tobago’s national energy agenda,” Ramdeen stated. He added that NGC is even prepared to support Shell in securing a new rig slot for the project, despite the original contracted rig being released months prior, framing the state-owned firm as a dedicated partner in strengthening the country’s long-term energy security.

    Ramdeen also revealed that ongoing negotiations between NGC and Shell across multiple joint projects, including Aphrodite, have already made substantial progress. While commercial confidentiality prevents the release of specific terms, he confirmed that final technical details of the talks are expected to be finalized in the near future. He also highlighted that the current national administration has updated NGC’s negotiating framework to align with widely accepted global standards, designed to balance risk and reward more equitably across all stakeholders and deliver tangible benefits to Trinidad and Tobago’s citizens.

    In a separate emailed statement to the *Express*, Shell echoed Ramdeen’s confirmation, clarifying that while the project has not stalled, the initial contracted rig was released, and commercial negotiations are still ongoing. “We are unable to share further details as they are commercially confidential,” the company added.

    The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago, which was also approached for comment, framed the project as an active, high-priority opportunity, noting that Shell has confirmed discussions remain ongoing. The industry body also provided critical context for the current negotiation phase, pointing out that the Aphrodite project passed a positive final investment decision in 2025 and is projected to deliver roughly 100 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day. This new supply comes at a critical juncture for Trinidad and Tobago, which has struggled with a years-long steady decline in domestic natural gas output that has already cut into LNG exports at Atlantic LNG and limited feedstock access for the country’s petrochemical sector.

    The Chamber explained that the current period of negotiation reflects the inherent realities of developing gas resources in a maturing basin. Unlike the large, low-cost discoveries of past decades, new production today typically comes from smaller fields that require more complex technical work and carry higher price tags. Aligning commercial terms between upstream producer Shell and NGC, which serves as the country’s official gas aggregator, requires careful balancing of all parties’ priorities, and negotiation pauses are a normal, industry-standard part of project development, the body added.

    Placed in the broader context of Trinidad and Tobago’s energy landscape, the Aphrodite project is a core pillar of the country’s national gas supply strategy, which also includes prospective developments like the Dragon field and cross-border energy collaboration with Venezuela. The Energy Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating constructive dialogue between Shell and NGC to build commercial frameworks that appeal to international investors, remain viable for domestic downstream industries, and align with the country’s long-term goal of maximizing value from its domestic natural gas reserves.

    First discovered in 2022, the Aphrodite field is expected to reach peak production of roughly 18,400 barrels of oil equivalent per day, equal to 107 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, once operations launch in 2027, following all required regulatory approvals. Shell will operate the project with a 100% working interest under the Block 5a and Block E Production Sharing Contracts. Development plans call for a new single subsea tieback connected to existing infrastructure in the Barracuda subsea network, with gas routed through Shell’s Dolphin A platform for delivery to both domestic and international markets.

    For Shell, the Aphrodite project is a key component of its broader corporate strategy to solidify its position as a global leader in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, with a target of growing annual LNG sales by up to 5% through 2030. The company’s 2025 LNG Outlook projects that growing economic activity across Asia will drive a 60% increase in global LNG demand by 2040, underscoring the long-term market opportunity for new production projects like Aphrodite.

  • China In My Eyes

    China In My Eyes

    The clock is ticking for creators and storytellers hoping to participate in the highly anticipated “China in My Eyes” Short Video & Article Competition, with all submissions set to close at the end of Tuesday, September 1. This global storytelling opportunity, hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Grenada, invites participants from all backgrounds to share their unique personal perspectives, experiences and observations of China through two accessible formats: original short-form videos (submitted as MP4 files) or written articles (accepted as editable text or clear screenshots).

    To enter, participants simply need to send their completed work to the official submission email [email protected], along with a working contact phone number for future correspondence. A total of 112 winners will be selected to take home impressive, high-value prizes, including brand-new laptops, smartphones and tablets, making the competition a rewarding opportunity for creators of all skill levels.

    Organizers have stressed that time is extremely limited for those who have not yet finalized their submissions, urging interested creators to submit their unique China-focused stories as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this opportunity. Any participants with questions about submission guidelines, eligibility or technical requirements are encouraged to reach out to the organizing team for clarification ahead of the closing deadline.

    Following the close of submissions, competition results are scheduled to be published in early September on the official Facebook page of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Grenada. As a hosting platform for the competition announcement, NOW Grenada has issued a standard content disclaimer: the outlet is not liable for any opinions, statements or media content shared by participating contributors, and users can access a dedicated reporting link to flag any inappropriate or abusive content posted through the initiative.

  • Cruising St. Kitts and Nevis at Their Own Pace

    Cruising St. Kitts and Nevis at Their Own Pace

    This outline lays out the core sections of a digital platform dedicated to yachting, marine recreation, and related leisure industries. The platform opens with its branded title, “THE PRINCESS PASSPORT”, and invites visitors to subscribe for regular updates via an email newsletter to stay connected with the latest industry insights, destination guides, and product announcements.

    At the core of the platform’s content offerings are multiple dedicated categories centered on yachting. Three nested sections focus specifically on yachts, featuring in-depth walkthrough videos and articles that showcase different vessel models, their layouts, and key features for potential buyers or enthusiasts. Beyond walkthroughs, the platform also covers two key service segments of the yachting industry: brokerage services for those looking to buy or sell pre-owned vessels, and charter options for travelers seeking to rent a yacht for leisure trips.

    Additional content categories expand beyond core yachting services to cover the full cruising experience. The cruising section features detailed breakdowns of top destinations around the world for marine travel, helping cruisers plan their next voyage. For vessel owners and hobbyists, the platform hosts sections dedicated to marine electronics, performance gear, and a fully functional marine shop where visitors can purchase equipment and supplies. It also offers educational content on boating safety to help operators of all experience levels stay safe on the water. For those interested in coastal leisure beyond yachting itself, there is a dedicated section for marine-related real estate, covering waterfront properties and coastal homes. Finally, a dedicated contact page provides visitors with pathways to reach the platform’s team with inquiries, requests, or feedback.

  • Casa Aybar restoration begins in Santo Domingo’s Colonial City with RD$102 million investment

    Casa Aybar restoration begins in Santo Domingo’s Colonial City with RD$102 million investment

    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – A major milestone in cultural heritage preservation and tourism development has been reached in the Dominican capital, as Tourism Minister David Collado formally opened the fully restored Casa Aybar, a landmark historic property located in Santo Domingo’s iconic Colonial City. The $102.3 million Dominican peso restoration project was designed not only to rescue the aging building from deterioration but also to reimagine it as a multi-purpose hub for culture, government administration and visitor engagement.

    The comprehensive rehabilitation initiative addressed a wide range of structural and aesthetic needs of the centuries-old property. Restoration teams carried out full structural consolidation of the building, carefully refurbishing original architectural features including its exterior facades, roof systems, original flooring, wooden doors and window frames. The project also resolved longstanding issues of moisture infiltration and roof leaks that had threatened the building’s integrity, reinforced weakened walls and degraded structural components, and fully upgraded outdated electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, and fire safety systems to meet modern building codes.

    According to Minister Collado, the Casa Aybar restoration forms a core part of the national government’s ongoing, large-scale strategy to revitalize the Colonial City – the Dominican Republic’s premier historic and cultural district, and one of the most significant remaining colonial urban centers in the entire Americas. Over the course of the revitalization campaign, Collado explained, the area has grown steadily in popularity among international travelers, with current data showing that roughly 13% of all tourists arriving in the Dominican Republic now include a visit to the Colonial City in their itineraries.

    Following its restoration, Casa Aybar will deliver expanded cultural and tourist services to both local and international guests. The fully renovated historic building will host institutional offices, public cultural and tourism service areas, a centralized ticketing counter, tourist information pavilions, and flexible spaces for rotating temporary art and history exhibitions. A newly constructed auxiliary building on the site will add public amenities including visitor restrooms and a public cafeteria.

    Beyond the boundaries of the Casa Aybar property itself, the project included surrounding neighborhood improvements, most notably the full rehabilitation of nearby La Atarazanas Street. Work there included repaving the roadway, resurfacing sidewalks, updating curbs, restoring historic stone steps, and installing an improved stormwater drainage system to reduce flooding risk in the area. All construction and restoration work is being overseen by the Executive Committee for Infrastructure in Tourist Zones (CEIZTUR), the country’s specialized body for tourism-related infrastructure development.

    Minister Collado noted that to date, the Dominican Ministry of Tourism has allocated nearly $10 million U.S. dollars to revitalization projects across the Colonial City. This funding has supported the restoration of multiple historic landmarks and public gathering spaces, including the completed Museum of the Sea, Ozama Fortress, Cathedral Museum, and Gate of Mercy. Additional completed work includes interior and exterior renovations for more than 12 historic churches, and widespread infrastructure upgrades to sidewalks and curbs across the district.

    Looking forward, Collado emphasized that sustained public investment in the Colonial City is guided by two core goals: protecting the district’s irreplaceable cultural heritage for future generations, and making the historic area more accessible, welcoming, and attractive to local residents, Dominican domestic travelers, and international visitors alike.