分类: politics

  • Key criminal and institutional laws to take effect in 2026

    Key criminal and institutional laws to take effect in 2026

    SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican Republic is poised for a comprehensive judicial and administrative transformation in 2026 as a series of landmark legislative reforms, recently ratified by the National Congress, conclude their mandatory vacatio legis periods and enter into full force. This strategic postponement of implementation, despite the laws’ enactment in 2025, is designed to fortify legal stability and provide essential preparation time for both public institutions and citizens.

    A cornerstone of this reform package is Law 47-25, the groundbreaking Public Procurement Law, scheduled for activation on January 24, 2026. This legislation supersedes the 2006 regulatory framework, introducing robust oversight mechanisms, stringent sanctions for malfeasance, and a substantially widened jurisdiction. For the first time, its authority will extend to the Judicial and Legislative branches, autonomous entities, public trusts, and all state-owned enterprises. The law’s overarching mission is to guarantee the efficient allocation of public resources, enhance transparency, foster sustainable development initiatives, and mandate the integration of advanced technology in all governmental procurement operations.

    Further defining the 2026 legal landscape will be the Organic Law on Oversight and Control of the National Congress (Law 84-25), which takes effect on February 6. However, the most anticipated change arrives on August 3, 2026, with the implementation of the new Penal Code (Law 74-25). This modernized criminal code represents a significant evolution in the nation’s justice system, formally classifying and establishing severe penalties for a range of contemporary crimes. These include femicide, contract killings, acts of corruption and torture, and all non-consensual sexual acts, with maximum prison terms reaching up to 60 years. Legal authorities emphasize that the vacatio legis interval is a critical procedural step, enabling a structured and informed transition for the profound societal shifts these pioneering laws will inaugurate.

  • China Simulates Taiwan Blockade Amid Rising Tensions

    China Simulates Taiwan Blockade Amid Rising Tensions

    In a significant escalation of regional tensions, China has initiated comprehensive military maneuvers simulating a complete blockade and seizure of strategic locations surrounding Taiwan. The extensive operation, designated “Justice Mission 2025,” represents a coordinated effort across China’s army, navy, air force, and rocket force divisions, incorporating live-fire exercises currently in progress.

    This demonstration of military capability follows closely after Washington’s authorization of an $11 billion arms package to Taiwan—one of the largest such agreements in history—which triggered immediate condemnation from Beijing and subsequent sanctions against involved U.S. defense contractors.

    China maintains its longstanding position regarding Taiwan’s status as an inseparable part of its territory. Recent developments in Taiwan’s defense enhancement initiatives have further intensified existing frictions. According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, surveillance detected approximately 90 Chinese military aircraft and 28 naval vessels operating near Taiwanese waters on Monday alone.

    In response to the heightened military presence, Taiwan has activated its missile defense systems and placed armed forces on elevated alert status to ensure national security. The presidential administration in Taipei characterized the drills as a direct violation of international norms and stability.

    Chinese state media channels, particularly through the Eastern Theater Command’s social media communications, have portrayed the exercises as a “shield of justice” necessary for national sovereignty protection.

    The international community has begun responding to the escalating situation, with Belize’s foreign ministry issuing a formal statement: “We condemn the continued military intimidation by the People’s Republic of China against the Republic of China (Taiwan). Such actions undermine peace, stability, and dialogue across the Taiwan Strait. Belize reaffirms its strong support for Taiwan and for the peaceful resolution of differences in accordance with international law.”

  • Unemployment and corruption, two big concerns for Argentinians

    Unemployment and corruption, two big concerns for Argentinians

    A comprehensive study by Synopsis Consultores has revealed a dramatic erosion of public trust in Argentina’s libertarian government, with corruption concerns surging significantly throughout 2025. The research, which evaluated public opinion during President Javier Milei’s initial two years in office, identifies multiple high-profile scandals as primary drivers of this discontent.

    Foremost among public grievances are the administration’s controversial pension reductions and perceived neglect of legitimate social demands. Equally damaging has been the president’s consistently aggressive and insulting rhetorical approach, which ranks as the fourth most-cited annoyance among citizens.

    The corruption landscape has been particularly damning, with the fraudulent $Libra cryptocurrency scheme emerging as a central controversy. This multi-million dollar scam, which the president personally promoted, has ensnared both Milei and his sister in concurrent criminal and congressional investigations. The case has become emblematic of the administration’s ethical challenges.

    Further compounding public outrage was the Aeroparque Airport incident, where a government-aligned businessman imported ten suitcases without standard customs inspection or oversight. This blatant circumvention of security protocols raised serious questions about preferential treatment for administration allies.

    Additional investigations have uncovered a pharmaceutical bribery scheme involving inflated invoices for medications destined for disabled citizens. Court documents indicate that 3% of these illicit payments were allegedly funneled to Karina Milei, the Secretary General of the Presidency and the president’s sister.

    The political damage continued with the spectacular downfall of former national deputy Jose Luis Espert, whose reelection campaign collapsed amid criminal allegations. After initially issuing vehement denials, Espert admitted to receiving substantial financial contributions from a drug trafficker subsequently extradited to the United States, creating yet another scandal for the governing libertarian movement.

  • Cuba unmasks true intentions of US escalation

    Cuba unmasks true intentions of US escalation

    Cuban officials have issued a forceful condemnation of longstanding United States economic policies, characterizing them as a calculated strategy to undermine sovereign nations in the region. In a recent statement published on the social media platform X, a government representative asserted that American actions to restrict Venezuela’s oil trade and intercept fuel shipments destined for Cuba are components of a broader, persistent agenda.

    The official declared that these measures, which include a naval blockade and trade obstructions, are not novel developments nor are they exclusively tied to recent military movements in the Caribbean. Instead, they are depicted as integral to a clear US objective: the systematic destruction of the Cuban Revolution, the overthrow of the legitimate Bolivarian and Chavista government in Venezuela, and the forcible appropriation of the region’s vital natural resources.

    Furthermore, the statement elaborated that this objective is pursued through a daily intensification of a ‘pressure and suffocation’ policy directed at Cuba. This campaign, according to the official, has a direct and detrimental impact on critical infrastructure, notably the national power grid. The consequent energy shortages and instability are portrayed as severely affecting the daily lives and well-being of the Cuban population, framing the economic sanctions as a direct attack on civilian livelihood.

  • Puerto Rican communists decry US aggression against Venezuela

    Puerto Rican communists decry US aggression against Venezuela

    A Marxist-Leninist organization from Puerto Rico has issued a forceful condemnation of United States foreign policy toward Venezuela, characterizing recent developments as blatant imperialist aggression. The group’s statements emerged following a solidarity march held in support of the Venezuelan people.

    The organization asserted that the Trump administration has consistently demonstrated overt interest in Venezuela’s vast natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, mineral deposits, gold, and rare earth elements. These comments directly address escalating tensions between the two nations.

    According to the communist group, recent imperialist pronouncements from US officials demanding Venezuela return what they characterize as ‘stolen’ oil resources reveal a perspective of global resource ownership. The organization framed this as representative of longstanding US foreign policy approaches.

    Particular criticism was directed at the US government’s offer of a $50 million reward for the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who faces narcoterrorism charges that the Puerto Rican group dismisses as pretextual. They highlighted the apparent hypocrisy in light of the recent pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, convicted of smuggling hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States.

    The organization further contextualized current events within historical patterns, referencing CIA involvement in drug trafficking operations from the Vietnam War through Afghanistan and Colombia. Specific reference was made to the Iran-Contra affair and Colonel Oliver North’s role as exemplifying Washington’s complicity with drug trafficking networks.

    Finally, the statement connected US domestic policy with international aggression, noting how drug distribution has historically targeted African American and Latino communities while simultaneously employing anti-immigrant rhetoric that promotes racism and xenophobia as justification for resource extraction from sovereign nations.

  • OP-ED: Between sovereignty and security – Reframing the Caribbean CBI debate in light of U.S. and EU pressure

    OP-ED: Between sovereignty and security – Reframing the Caribbean CBI debate in light of U.S. and EU pressure

    The recent U.S. Presidential Proclamation suspending visa categories for nationals of several Caribbean nations has ignited intense regional debate, revealing deeper geopolitical undercurrents beyond surface-level compliance issues. While commentators Paul Alexander and Diana Pascal present contrasting views—the former criticizing U.S. weaponization of visa policies, the latter highlighting Caribbean institutional weaknesses—both overlook the fundamental geopolitical recalibration underway.

    The suspension affecting Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, and implicitly other Eastern Caribbean states represents more than immigration policy adjustments. It reflects Washington’s strategic containment efforts targeting nations perceived as facilitating mobility for nationals from adversarial states, particularly within the Venezuela-Cuba axis. The timing coincides with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s rejection of CARICOM solidarity, signaling regional fragmentation amid renewed U.S. ‘gunboat diplomacy’ under Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio’s influence.

    European pressure compounds the challenge, with the EU revising its Visa Suspension Mechanism to treat Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs as structural risks regardless of misuse. This transatlantic coordination threatens the visa-free access that has long been a cornerstone of Caribbean CBI marketing.

    Despite these pressures, CBI programs have legitimately funded critical infrastructure including hospitals, climate resilience projects, and education systems. The core issue remains enforcement cooperation rather than revenue model validity. Some nations like Dominica have implemented substantive reforms including enhanced due diligence and name-change protocols, while St. Vincent promotes regional solidarity over isolation.

    The path forward requires sovereign transparency through formalized data-sharing agreements with U.S. and EU authorities, accelerated establishment of the Eastern Caribbean CBI Regulatory Authority (EC CIRA), and recommitment to CARICOM unity despite internal disagreements. Caribbean states must engage international partners from a position of mutual interest rather than guilt or defiance, recognizing citizenship as a sacred trust with global responsibilities.

    This geopolitical stress test demands professional regulatory convergence and diplomacy grounded in mutual respect, moving beyond blame games toward strategic recalibration that preserves sovereignty while earning international legitimacy.

  • Belize Condemns China’s Military Pressure on Taiwan

    Belize Condemns China’s Military Pressure on Taiwan

    The Government of Belize has issued a formal condemnation of the People’s Republic of China’s recent military exercises around Taiwan, characterizing them as acts of intimidation that jeopardize regional peace. In an official statement released Monday, Belizean authorities expressed deep concern over China’s joint live-fire drills involving air, naval, and missile forces, which they warned undermine diplomatic dialogue and escalate tensions across the strategic waterway.

    Belize reaffirmed its steadfast diplomatic support for Taiwan, urging all parties to pursue peaceful conflict resolution in alignment with international law. The Central American nation, among the limited circle of countries maintaining formal ties with Taipei, has consistently advocated for Taiwan’s international recognition.

    The Chinese military described its extensive exercises as a ‘stern warning’ against separatist movements and foreign interference, specifically referencing potential major U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and recent remarks by Japan’s prime minister regarding possible military involvement. Taiwanese officials reported the drills disrupted aviation operations, impacting over 100,000 international passengers, while placing their military on high alert and labeling Beijing as ‘the primary destabilizing force in the region.’

    This development highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding Taiwan’s status, with Belize positioning itself as a vocal supporter of Taipei against what it perceives as Chinese aggression threatening the delicate balance in East Asian security architecture.

  • Uncertainty surrounds fresh legal battle over vending outside Yhip’s Bakery

    Uncertainty surrounds fresh legal battle over vending outside Yhip’s Bakery

    A legal and administrative confrontation is unfolding in Georgetown, Guyana, as City Mayor Alfred Mentore prepares to challenge a High Court order mandating the removal of street vendors operating outside Yhip’s Bakery at the intersection of Robb and Alexander Streets. The dispute centers on a February 2025 letter from Attorney Dexter Smartt, representing bakery beneficiary Troy Yhip, which appeals for a six-month extension allowing vendors—described as “persons of little means”—to relocate. Smartt argued that his client had originally permitted the vendors to operate there and that not all property beneficiaries were aware of the initial court proceedings.

    Town Clerk Candace Nelson, however, maintains that the Mayor’s position is legally untenable. She emphasized that the mandamus order—issued by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in November 2024 and served in December—cannot be superseded by a letter submitted months after the ruling. Nelson revealed that Mayor Mentore had promised to contest the order in court but has yet to do so.

    The conflict intensified when municipal workers aborted a planned eviction operation on Sunday following a meeting between the Mayor and vendors. This inaction has prompted contempt proceedings filed by Suzanne Pemberton, who holds power-of-attorney for property owner Albert Yhip. Pemberton’s application, now before Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln, seeks the imprisonment of Nelson and City Engineer Colvern Venture for “wilful disobedience” of the court order.

    The case highlights tensions between local government authority and judicial oversight, with a hearing on the contempt motion scheduled for January 9, 2026.

  • DRC Army spokesperson suspended for discriminatory speech

    DRC Army spokesperson suspended for discriminatory speech

    The Democratic Republic of Congo has taken decisive action against one of its military officials following inflammatory statements that have escalated regional tensions. General Ekenge, whose full identity remains undisclosed, has been suspended from duty after making controversial comments during a weekend interview on the national broadcaster RTNC.

    During the broadcast, the military figure advocated for population segment ‘supremacy’ and specifically warned Congolese men against marrying Tutsi women, whom he characterized as operatives for Rwandan intelligence services. These remarks quickly circulated through regional media channels and were subsequently amplified by Rwandan authorities.

    Rwanda’s government utilized the statements to reinforce its ongoing narrative about inequality within Congolese governance structures. The timing proves particularly sensitive given the persistent diplomatic strains between Kinshasa and Kigali, with both nations engaged in prolonged disputes over security and citizenship rights.

    The Congo River Alliance-March 23 Movement (AFC/M23), an opposition coalition, issued a formal condemnation labeling the general’s comments as ‘genocidal propaganda.’ Their statement emphasized concerns about systematic targeting of Congolese Tutsis, particularly vulnerable groups including women and children, suggesting these remarks align with preparatory stages of genocide.

    The Congolese Press Agency (ACP) confirmed the disciplinary measure, indicating the government’s attempt to distance itself from the general’s divisive rhetoric while addressing the international fallout from the incident.

  • Trump Claims the U.S. Destroyed a Major Facility in Venezuela, But Did It Actually Happen?

    Trump Claims the U.S. Destroyed a Major Facility in Venezuela, But Did It Actually Happen?

    In a controversial radio interview that has raised more questions than answers, former President Donald Trump asserted that U.S. forces recently destroyed a significant Venezuelan facility as part of ongoing pressure tactics against the Nicolás Maduro regime. During his appearance on WABC’s Friday broadcast, Trump made the cryptic declaration: “They possess a substantial plant or major facility where vessels originate. We eliminated that target two nights ago. We struck them with considerable force.

    The remarkable claim lacks official verification from multiple fronts. The White House has maintained complete silence regarding these assertions, declining all requests for clarification. Simultaneously, Venezuelan authorities have reported no major facility destruction nor issued formal complaints about any military incursion. The nature, location, and even existence of the alleged target remain shrouded in uncertainty.

    This ambiguous statement emerged during Trump’s broader discussion about American operations targeting Venezuela, including previously documented strikes against suspected narcotics trafficking vessels and the enforcement of oil tanker blockades under international sanctions regimes. The absence of corroborating evidence from either government has created an information vacuum, leaving analysts and observers to speculate about the veracity and context of these unsubstantiated claims.