分类： society

The Dominican Republic is grappling with a severe sargassum crisis, as vast quantities of the invasive seaweed have inundated its beaches, prompting widespread concern among citizens and environmental groups. Over the weekend, social media was flooded with images of popular coastal areas like Boca Chica, where once-clear waters have turned murky brown under layers of algae. This environmental disaster threatens not only the nation’s tourism industry but also local fishing communities and marine biodiversity.

Santo Domingo – A significant power outage at José Francisco Peña Gómez Las Américas International Airport (AILA–SDQ) this morning at 9:16 a.m. brought operations to a standstill, causing widespread disruptions and delays. AERODOM, the airport’s concessionaire, promptly issued an official statement via its X account at 10:24 a.m., apologizing to passengers and assuring them that technical teams were working tirelessly to restore power and resume normal operations. The outage led to confusion and inconvenience among travelers, prompting AERODOM to request patience and understanding while updates were promised as the situation evolved. By 11:43 a.m., AERODOM confirmed that crews were still actively working to resolve the issue. At 12:45 p.m., travelers were advised not to proceed to the airport unless power was restored. A temporary solution was implemented with the installation of an external electric power plant. Finally, at 2:30 p.m., AERODOM announced that power had been successfully restored and urged passengers to contact their respective airlines for updated flight information.

The Dominican Republic is currently embroiled in a severe electricity crisis, triggering widespread protests across the nation. Citizens have taken to the streets, resorting to burning tires, banging pots and pans, and lighting candles to voice their frustration over persistent blackouts and skyrocketing electricity bills. The unrest is evident both in public demonstrations and on social media platforms, where grievances are rapidly multiplying. For many Dominicans, power outages have become a daily ordeal, disrupting essential aspects of life such as food preservation and children’s well-being. In Haina, San Cristóbal province, professor Carolina Aquino described the situation as unbearable, while residents of Altos de Arroyo Hondo, National District, lit candles in protest, demanding uninterrupted 24-hour service. Compounding the issue are exorbitant electricity bills. According to the Consumer Protection Office (Protecom), 95% of complaints filed this year pertain to high energy costs. Energy distribution companies received over 84,000 complaints in a single year, with 93% related to inflated bills. Social media users are questioning how bills can remain high despite prolonged outages. Celso Marranzini, president of the Unified Council of Distribution Companies (CUED), attributed increased consumption to high temperatures, asserting that service rates have not been adjusted. Authorities acknowledge the sector’s deep-rooted issues, including power losses, overloaded grids, insufficient investment, and low revenue collection. Statistics from January to July 2025 reveal a precarious financial outlook for distribution companies Edenorte, Edesur, and Edeeste. Despite a slight rise in energy purchases, sales revenue and effective collections have declined. In June, collection losses reached 45.2%, underscoring the sector’s financial woes. The Ministry of Energy and Mines has not updated its statistics since June, leaving stakeholders without recent official data. Management indicators are equally concerning, with energy losses at 38.2% and a revenue recovery rate (CRI) of just 59.5%, meaning distributors are recovering barely half of what they should bill. Investments have plummeted to US$108.7 million, exacerbating the crisis. An electricity crisis occurs when a country’s energy supply system fails to meet demand, leading to shortages, widespread blackouts, and dramatic price hikes. This crisis not only disrupts households but also severely impacts the economy, as industries, commerce, and services rely on stable energy to function.

In a significant crackdown on organized crime, Argenis Santana Herrera, also known as Argenis Kodigo, was arrested on Friday by the Public Ministry. Santana Herrera was a key figure in an alleged drug trafficking and money laundering network that was dismantled earlier this week through a coordinated effort involving the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD). His arrest followed a court order, and he voluntarily surrendered to authorities at the Santo Domingo Este Prosecutor’s Office and the Unit for the Capture of Fugitives, Rebels, and Convicts (UCAPREC).

The operation, which took place last Monday, also led to the arrests of Alfredo Samboy Féliz (Burungo) and Suleica Herrera Geraldo. A team of 21 prosecutors from the Santo Domingo Este Prosecutor’s Office, supported by 150 DNCD agents and Navy personnel, conducted 15 simultaneous raids across the National District, Santo Domingo Este, and Baní in Peravia province. These raids targeted members of the criminal organization responsible for seizing 20 packages of cocaine in September 2024 in Villa Mella.

During the operation, authorities confiscated substantial assets, including two houses, four apartments, a villa, a pharmacy, firearms, two nightclubs (Kodigo VIP and Flow Room), vehicles, a recreational boat, a drone, a satellite phone, five Jet Skis, clothing, documents, money in both pesos and dollars, electronic equipment, cell phones, and other evidence linked to the investigation.

The dismantling of this criminal network was the result of extensive surveillance and intelligence work conducted by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and DNCD agents. Authorities have indicated that their investigations into the case are ongoing, with efforts to uncover further details and connections within the organization.