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Santo Domingo – The Frente Amplio has issued a stern call for an immediate and transparent investigation into the widespread blackout that plunged the Dominican Republic into darkness on Monday afternoon. The outage, triggered by a failure at the Electricity Transmission Company (ETED) substation in San Pedro de Macorís, cascaded into a complete shutdown of all generating plants, including Punta Catalina. This incident has once again highlighted the fragility of the nation’s power grid. Party leader María Teresa Cabrera denounced the collapse as ‘unacceptable,’ emphasizing that a single substation failure should not have the capacity to cripple the entire system. She urged authorities to act with ‘absolute transparency’ and ensure accountability for those responsible. The Frente Amplio underscored the severe economic repercussions of such blackouts, which disrupt hospitals, industries, and the daily lives of millions. The organization demanded that the Government, ETED, the Superintendency of Electricity, and the Ministry of Energy and Mines provide a clear public report and develop an emergency plan to fortify the transmission network. They argued that the incident should not be dismissed as a mere technical failure but rather seen as a symptom of deeper structural issues, including poor oversight, inadequate planning, and insufficient public investment in the national energy system.

Santo Domingo witnessed a significant milestone on Tuesday as Carolina Mejía, Mayor of the National District, officially opened the newly transformed Taíno Park in Los Cacicazgos. This revitalized public space, designed to honor the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games set for 2026, has been reimagined from a basic green area into a multifunctional community hub. The park now boasts an outdoor gym, a children’s playground, a dedicated dog park, walking paths, an amphitheater for cultural events, energy-efficient LED lighting, and a commemorative sculpture celebrating José Martí, Máximo Gómez, and Chief Hatuey—iconic figures symbolizing freedom and unity across the Antilles.

Port-au-Prince, Haiti, is grappling with a severe electricity crisis as widespread sabotage and the prolonged closure of the country’s primary hydroelectric plant have severely disrupted the power supply. The state electricity company, Électricité d’Haïti (EDH), announced on Tuesday that the crisis has been exacerbated by the unscheduled shutdown of the Péligre hydroelectric plant, which has been non-operational since June 17 when five transmission towers were sabotaged. Additionally, the private energy provider E-Power has reduced its output to less than 10 megawatts, only one-third of its usual capacity, due to technical difficulties. The combined impact of these issues has left much of the capital with limited or no electricity. EDH has acknowledged the grid’s instability, attributing it to the Péligre plant’s closure and insufficient generator capacity, which has necessitated drastic power rationing measures. The company has vowed to work ‘tirelessly’ to restore services and has called on citizens to remain patient as repair and logistical efforts continue.

Las Américas International Airport (AILA) in Santo Domingo experienced a brief disruption on Tuesday afternoon, November 11, when smoke was detected in the arrivals corridor of Terminal B. The incident prompted an immediate evacuation of passengers and staff as a precautionary measure. Emergency teams swiftly responded to the situation, identifying the source of the smoke as a malfunctioning lamp within an air conditioning unit. The smoke had circulated through the airport’s ventilation system, causing concern among travelers and personnel. Authorities confirmed that no fire had occurred, and there were no injuries or material damages reported. Once the issue was resolved, normal operations resumed without delays or disruptions to domestic or international flights. Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom), the airport’s operator, reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and commended the rapid response of its emergency teams. The incident highlighted the importance of robust safety protocols in maintaining smooth airport operations.