A growing healthcare crisis is unfolding in Grand Bahama, where dozens of vulnerable dialysis patients are trapped in a dangerous backlog for life-sustaining access surgery, after the departure of the island’s only local physician trained to perform the procedure left the public healthcare system without critical capacity.
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Wingo and Flair Airlines add new international routes from Puerto Plata
The Dominican Republic’s Gregorio Luperón International Airport, located in Puerto Plata, is set to boost its global flight network with two new sets of direct international services launching in the 2026-2027 winter travel season, according to official confirmation from Aerodom, the airport’s managing operator that falls under the global Vinci Airports group.
Colombian low-cost carrier Wingo will pioneer the first of the new connections, launching a weekly twice direct flight between Puerto Plata and Colombia’s capital Bogotá starting October 6, 2026. This scheduled service will run continuously through January 25, 2027, and is projected to offer a total of roughly 8,900 passenger seats throughout the winter season, matching the peak period of travel demand to the Caribbean region.
A second new entrant to the airport’s route network is Canadian low-cost airline Flair Airlines, which will add Puerto Plata as a destination for the first time in its operating history. Flair’s first route, connecting Montreal and Puerto Plata, will commence operations on December 18, running twice per week. Just one day later, on December 19, the carrier will launch a second weekly twice service linking Toronto Pearson International Airport directly to Gregorio Luperón International Airport.
Industry stakeholders project that these new route additions will deliver widespread benefits across the northern Dominican Republic. Beyond strengthening direct air links between Puerto Plata and two high-priority international travel markets, the new services will open up far more convenient travel options for local residents across Puerto Plata, the North region, Santiago and the broader Cibao valley. For the Dominican tourism sector, the links are also expected to drive a steady increase in the arrival of international visitors to Puerto Plata and other popular tourist destinations along the country’s scenic northern coastline.
Aerodom publicly acknowledged the collective work of multiple cross-sector partners that made the new route expansion possible, naming the Dominican Civil Aviation Board (JAC), the country’s Ministry of Tourism, Wingo, Flair Airlines, Colombian tourism promotion authority ProColombia, and local Dominican tourism industry organizations for their collaborative partnership in advancing the new connections.
This expansion of route connectivity forms part of Aerodom and Vinci Airports’ long-term, ongoing strategic initiative to grow the overall flight network of Gregorio Luperón International Airport. The overarching goal of the work is to deepen Puerto Plata’s tourism and commercial integration with key international markets, supporting sustained economic growth across the region.
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Cap Cana brings together sport and luxury at Imperial Polo Cup
CAP CANA – The sun-drenched polo fields of Cap Cana drew the curtain on the 2024 summer equestrian season on a high note, as the annual Imperial Polo Cup brought together top-ranked players, distinguished guests and passionate equestrian sports fans for an afternoon that blended elite athletic competition, luxury hospitality and world-class leisure experiences. What began as a routine seasonal finale quickly transformed into a memorable showcase of Cap Cana’s growing reputation as a premium destination for high-end lifestyle and sporting events, with every element of the day tailored to combine competitive edge with relaxed, elegant social connection.
From the first throw-in to the final whistle, the atmosphere on and off the field crackled with energy. Two elite teams, sponsored by co-hosts The St. Regis Cap Cana and Ron Barceló’s Barceló Imperial, faced off in what would become one of the most tightly contested matches of the entire summer season. The St. Regis roster was anchored by captain Roberto García Bisonó, alongside teammates Pedro Castillo (Jr.), José Cedano and José Calazans, while Barceló Imperial countered with a lineup led by captain Robbie García, featuring Ricardo Tirado, Mauricio Bogaert and Rafa García. For nearly the entire match, neither side could gain a decisive upper hand; the score remained deadlocked through the final minutes of regulation, and when the final horn sounded, the two teams finished all square at eight goals apiece.
Off the pitch, the event offered far more than just athletic competition, leaning into polo’s longstanding reputation as a hub for luxury social gathering. Guests spread out along the edge of the field, soaking in the warm coastal breeze while admiring the power of competing horses and the precise skill of the professional players. Complementing the on-field action was a curated lineup of culinary and hospitality experiences, highlighted by a standout ceremonial moment that became the talking point of the afternoon: a traditional Perrier-Jouët champagne sabrage demonstration performed by The St. Regis Cap Cana’s team of hospitality experts. The centuries-old bottle-opening technique, which uses a saber to cleanly sever the neck of a champagne bottle, added a dramatic, elegant flourish to the celebration, fitting seamlessly into the festive, refined tone of the day. Guests mingled between chukkers, sampling champagne, catching up with friends and enjoying the world-class hospitality that Cap Cana has become known for.
Organized by event producer Pedro Castillo Jiménez and co-sponsored by Ron Barceló and The St. Regis Cap Cana, the 2024 Imperial Polo Cup officially closed out the destination’s summer polo calendar. Beyond the match itself, the event solidified polo’s central role in Cap Cana’s lineup of recreational, social and lifestyle experiences, reinforcing the region’s standing as a leading destination for elite equestrian sports and luxury leisure for visitors from around the globe.
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Abinader says Meta RD 2036 is advancing toward goal of doubling economy by 2036
NEW YORK — Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader announced Tuesday that the country’s landmark public-private development partnership, Meta RD 2036, is hitting key milestones as the nation works toward its ambitious goal of doubling the national economy by 2036. Speaking to members of the press following the close of the International Forum Meta RD 2036 for Full Development, Abinader outlined how the cross-sector initiative has evolved into a recurring coordination mechanism, bringing public and private stakeholders together each month to assess progress, unmet needs, and policy adjustments required to keep the 15-year development strategy on track.
In highlighting the initiative’s early successes, Abinader pointed to notable reductions in national poverty levels. Official data shows the country’s poverty rate dropped sharply from 25.9% in 2019 to 17% as of last year, with continued downward projections for 2024. Beyond domestic economic and social progress, the president also shared a major international recognition for the Dominican Republic’s food security gains: the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will formally honor the country for meeting the UN’s Zero Hunger target.
The official award ceremony and certificate presentation will take place on October 10 in Rome, Italy. FAO has already verified that the Dominican Republic has cut the population share experiencing undernourishment to below the global threshold that the UN body uses to define widespread hunger, marking a critical win for the country’s public health and social development efforts. This dual progress on economic expansion and food security positions the Dominican Republic as a case study in aligned long-term planning and inclusive development.
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SDQ MICE 2026 brings 50 international buyers to explore Dominican tourism
The Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, has opened the sixth iteration of its flagship MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events) industry gathering SDQ MICE 2026, an initiative designed to cement the nation’s standing as a top global MICE destination through targeted business networking, hands-on destination exploration, and industry capacity building.
Organized by the Santo Domingo Hotel Association (AHSD), the 2026 edition brings together 50 vetted international buyers from 11 key global markets—including the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Panama, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico—alongside more than 50 Dominican tourism operators representing leading destinations across the country: Santo Domingo, Santiago, Juan Dolio, Puerto Plata, and the renowned beach resort hub Punta Cana. Over the course of the event, the two groups are scheduled to hold more than 1,000 one-on-one business-to-business meetings, laying the groundwork for new partnerships and future event bookings.
In her opening remarks, AHSD President Gina Eli emphasized that the core mission of the event is to let international decision-makers experience firsthand the diverse tourism infrastructure and hospitality offerings that make Santo Domingo an attractive MICE host, rather than just marketing the destination from afar. By facilitating direct engagement, the association aims to shift international perceptions and strengthen the capital’s reputation as a competitive, accessible MICE location.
The multi-faceted event agenda blends structured deal-making, professional development, and immersive cultural experiences. Beyond the core B2B meeting schedule, participants can access academic training sessions, industry networking opportunities, and guided visits to top local attractions, including the UNESCO-listed Colonial City, Santo Domingo Bay, and the coastal Boca Chica region. To showcase the Dominican Republic’s ability to host multi-city MICE itineraries, the event will wrap up with an official post-event tour of Punta Cana, highlighting the nation’s range of offerings from cultural city breaks to tropical beach getaways.
A key strategic component of this year’s SDQ MICE is a new partnership with global industry firm MICE Consulting, focused on refining the destination’s long-term MICE strategy, boosting its international brand visibility, and unlocking new global business opportunities. The academic track features a keynote address from Martin Boyle, CEO of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), who will break down emerging global industry standards and the evolving factors that influence event organizers’ destination selection decisions.
Beyond business development, SDQ MICE 2026 places significant focus on two critical priorities for the global tourism sector: sustainability and emerging talent development. For sustainability, AHSD highlighted the ongoing impact of its Ruta PET initiative, a recycling program operated across 16 local hotels that has already trained more than 350 hospitality employees in sustainable waste management and recovered 7.25 tons (over 14,500 pounds) of recyclable PET plastic. The event also showcases the Future Leaders program, which creates pathways for local university students to enter the MICE industry by connecting them with seasoned professionals through educational workshops and networking engagements.
To give international buyers a deeper look at the Colonial City’s unique appeal, organizers have planned a special Experiential Rally that lets participants explore the district’s centuries of history, cultural heritage, diverse local gastronomy, vibrant visual and performing arts, traditional music, and renowned Dominican hospitality firsthand.
SDQ MICE 2026 counts the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) as its main sponsor and strategic ally, with additional support from a coalition of leading tourism industry bodies including the Santo Domingo Tourism Cluster, Turenlaces, OPETUR MICE, Adompretur, and Turio, among other local and national sector partners. Ultimately, the event aims to turn new business connections and first-hand impressions into tangible long-term opportunities, not just for Santo Domingo, but for the entire Dominican Republic’s MICE sector as it competes for a larger share of the global events market.
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Abinader attends Shield of the Americas meeting alongside regional leaders
NEW YORK — As Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader continues his diplomatic schedule on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, he took part in a high-level session Tuesday focused on the Shield of the Americas, a regional security initiative spearheaded by U.S. President Donald Trump that brings together leaders and diplomatic representatives from across the Western Hemisphere.
Before the formal meeting kicked off, Abinader held informal discussions with a group of regional political leaders, including Chilean President José Antonio Kast, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Argentine President Javier Milei, Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, and prominent Peruvian opposition leader Keiko Fujimori. The gathering gave leaders a chance to exchange informal greetings and pose for photographs ahead of the structured working session.
The Shield of the Americas initiative was created to address a growing shared challenge across the Americas: the rise of drug trafficking, violent cartel activity, and transnational organized crime. It aims to deepen cross-border coordination and cooperative action to disrupt these criminal networks. The Dominican Republic was an early participant in the initiative, joining the first summit held in Miami this past March, where Abinader added his signature to a proclamation formally establishing a regional coalition dedicated to countering the influence and power of drug cartels.
Accompanying Abinader on his New York trip is Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, the Dominican Republic’s Foreign Minister. The Shield of the Americas meeting is just one stop on a packed international agenda that also includes a series of bilateral meetings focused on expanding cooperation, boosting bilateral trade, attracting new foreign investment, and advancing sustainable development priorities for the Caribbean nation.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, Abinader is scheduled to deliver his address to the full 81st UN General Assembly, one of the most anticipated moments of his New York visit. Later that same day, per an announcement from the Dominican Presidency, he is set to receive the Gold Insigne of the Americas Society, marking the first time a sitting Dominican head of state has been honored with this prestigious distinction from the inter-American organization.
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César Iglesias’ net profit plunges 99%
### A Tumultuous 2025 for Dominican Conglomerate César Iglesias
Based in the Dominican Republic’s capital Santo Domingo, consumer and industrial conglomerate César Iglesias closed out 2025 with a dramatic 99% collapse in net profit — a figure that has often been misinterpreted as a collapse in the company’s share value, a distinction that is critical for investors to understand.According to the firm’s audited 2025 financial statements, net income dropped sharply from RD$438.4 million in 2024 to just RD$4.5 million last year. This staggering decline occurred even as top-line revenue held relatively steady, inching up 1.7% year-over-year to hit RD$22.877 billion. The primary drag on profitability came from ballooning net financial expenses, which jumped 23.9% from RD$851.2 million in 2024 to roughly RD$1.055 billion in 2025. On top of rising financing costs, operating profit also trended downward, and a RD$259.1 million income tax obligation further eroded the company’s final annual earnings.
### Clarifying the Gap Between Profit and Share Price Performance
A common point of confusion for market observers has been differentiating between the 99% net profit decline and the performance of César Iglesias’ publicly traded stock. The company made its debut on the Dominican Republic stock exchange in August 2023, with an initial public offering (IPO) price of RD$128.84 per share. Robust early investor demand pushed the share price to an all-time high of around RD$170 shortly after listing, before entering a prolonged downward correction.By the end of 2024, shares closed at RD$132.99, and finished 2025 at approximately RD$119.50. In early 2026, the stock hit a low of roughly RD$90 per share in March — a 30% drop from the original IPO price and a 47% pullback from its 2023 peak. The stock has since recouped some of those losses, with recent market valuations placing it in the range of RD$100 to RD$110 per share. While the share price has declined from both its IPO and all-time high levels, this drop is far less severe than the 99% collapse in annual net profit.
### Continued Aggressive Investment Amid Profit Headwinds
Despite the severe earnings decline in 2025, César Iglesias maintained aggressive capital expansion plans, doubling down on long-term growth initiatives. The firm allocated approximately RD$1.6 billion to capital expenditures in 2025 — more than twice the amount it invested in 2024. These funds went toward key strategic projects, including the expansion of its central distribution network, the first construction phase of a new paper production facility, and upgraded manufacturing infrastructure for soap raw materials.In May 2025, the company also raised roughly RD$4.948 billion through a secondary share placement of 38.7 million new shares. However, in response to weak full-year 2025 results and to preserve cash liquidity for ongoing operations and its expansion program, the firm’s board opted to forgo dividend distributions from 2025 earnings entirely.
### Early 2026 Results Show Encouraging Operating Improvement
César Iglesias has kicked off 2026 with notably stronger operating performance, signaling a potential turning point after the challenging prior year. In the first quarter of 2026, ordinary revenue reached approximately RD$5.967 billion, while operating profit grew 20% year-over-year to hit RD$445 million. The company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) came in at RD$629 million, and management reduced total financial debt by roughly RD$157 million compared to the end of 2025. First-quarter performance also marked a milestone for the firm: average net sales per working day surpassed RD$100 million for the first time, hitting RD$101.1 million.These early indicators confirm that after a bruising 2025, César Iglesias has entered 2026 with improved operating momentum and progress on its goal of deleveraging its balance sheet. That said, the solid first-quarter improvement alone is not enough to reverse the severe profitability decline the company recorded in 2025.
### Market Relevance: Dominican Pension Funds as Key Shareholders
The performance of César Iglesias stock carries particular significance for the country’s retirement system, as leading Dominican pension funds were major participants in the company’s 2023 IPO. According to local financial outlet *El Avance*, three of the country’s largest pension administrators — AFP Reservas, AFP Crecer, and AFP Siembra — purchased a combined 27.1 million shares at the original IPO price, investing a total of RD$3.492 billion.The subsequent drop in share price has pushed the market value of these holdings below their original purchase cost at multiple points in 2025 and early 2026. However, industry analysts note that the César Iglesias investment makes up only a small fraction of the pension funds’ diversified overall portfolios, limiting broader systemic risk.
### Looking Ahead: Can the Current Momentum Translate to Sustained Profit Recovery?
Today, César Iglesias operates across three distinct performance realities: its net income suffered an almost 99% collapse in 2025; its share price remains below IPO levels and far off its 2023 all-time high, despite a partial recovery from early 2026 lows; and its core sales base remains solid above the RD$22 billion annual mark, with early 2026 results showing improving operations and falling debt.The key question for investors and stakeholders going forward is whether the company can leverage its ongoing expansion investments, improving operating performance, and debt reduction strategy to deliver a sustained recovery in profitability. This outcome will be particularly critical, as the 2025 profit decline was driven largely by the spike in financing costs that continues to weigh on the firm’s bottom line.
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Hurricane Polo Explodes Into Category 5 Off Mexico
In the eastern Pacific Ocean, a rapidly strengthening storm has captured the urgent attention of meteorologists worldwide: Hurricane Polo has exploded from a weaker system to a dangerous Category 5 hurricane in an extraordinarily short timeframe. Over just 24 hours, the storm’s maximum sustained wind speeds surged by 110 miles per hour, a rate of intensification that the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has described as “truly remarkable,” ranking among the fastest ever recorded in the eastern Pacific basin.
This historic rate of intensification places Polo in rare company alongside some of the most devastating hurricanes to impact Mexico in recent decades. It comes extremely close to the 24-hour intensification surge seen in 2023’s Hurricane Otis, which leveled large parts of the coastal resort city of Acapulco after catching forecasters off guard with its rapid strengthening. Only Hurricane Patricia, which set a global record in 2015 with a 120 mph 24-hour wind increase, has posted a faster intensification rate in the region.
As of Tuesday morning local time, Polo boasts maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, making it one of the strongest storms to form in the eastern Pacific in recent years. Current forecast tracking models project the storm will turn northwest in the coming days, following a path that runs parallel to Mexico’s southwestern coastline. Forecasters with the NHC note that the storm’s most powerful winds are expected to remain over open ocean, far from populated coastal areas.
Even with the strongest conditions staying offshore, Mexican communities along the southwest coast still face significant, life-threatening hazards. Forecasters identify heavy rainfall as Polo’s most dangerous onshore threat, with the NHC projecting total accumulations of 4 to 8 inches across the states of Guerrero and Michoacán through Thursday. Isolated areas could see as much as 12 inches of rain, creating extreme risk for flash flooding and destructive mudslides across mountainous and low-lying coastal regions. In response to these risks, authorities have issued a tropical storm watch for a 300-mile stretch of coastline stretching from Tecpán de Galeana to Manzanillo, warning residents to prepare for potential storm conditions.
Polo is not the only active storm system in the Pacific this week. Tropical Storm Odalys is currently churning far to the west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, and meteorologists predict it could strengthen to hurricane strength by the middle of the week.
The unusually active Pacific hurricane season, which has already produced multiple major storms, is being linked to ongoing El Niño conditions that have pushed ocean surface temperatures across the Pacific far above average. Climate and weather experts note that warmer ocean waters act as fuel for tropical cyclone development, creating favorable conditions for the hyperactive season currently unfolding in the Pacific. In a striking contrast, the Atlantic basin has yet to record its first hurricane of the 2026 season, a stark split in activity that aligns with typical El Niño-driven weather patterns.
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Three Jamaicans Remanded After EC$79,000 Marijuana Seizure
A major drug bust in the Eastern Caribbean has led to three Jamaican citizens being placed behind bars pending trial, following the seizure of a large marijuana shipment worth close to EC$80,000. The three defendants — 25-year-old Aljermin McLean, 21-year-old Joshua Newton, and 54-year-old Elvis Smith — face a series of coordinated drug-related charges connected to the operation carried out by law enforcement on September 14.
During that targeted enforcement action, police reportedly seized 26.4 pounds of illicit marijuana, which local authorities have appraised at an approximate market value of EC$79,000. All three men have been charged together on three separate counts: possession of a controlled substance, possession of the drug with the intent to supply it to others, and possession with the intent to transfer the illegal substance.
Following their initial court appearance, the trio has been remanded into prison custody as they await their next court proceeding, which is scheduled to take place on November 25. It is important to note that under the principles of criminal justice, all allegations brought against the three men have not yet been tested or proven in a court of law, and the defendants retain the right to a full and fair trial to contest the charges.
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ABMS Announces Renaming of Media Centre in Honour of Philbert Mason
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – September 22, 2026 – A landmark tribute to decades of dedicated public service and meteorological excellence is being unveiled in Antigua and Barbuda, as the national Meteorological Service (ABMS) has officially renamed its core media hub the Philbert Mason Media Centre, following formal approval from the country’s Cabinet. The honor recognizes the far-reaching, enduring contributions of Philbert Cleofoster Mason, one of the nation’s most accomplished meteorologists and a beloved, trusted public voice for weather information across generations.
Over a career spanning nearly 40 years with the Antigua Meteorological Service, Mason rose through the ranks to secure the position of Deputy Director, a role he held for many years before declining a promotion to lead the agency as Director. Throughout his tenure, he became a household name and a source of national reassurance, particularly when the island nation faced extreme weather events and dangerous tropical cyclones. For Antiguans and Barbudans across multiple age groups, Mason’s measured, clear delivery of weather updates became synonymous with authoritative, reliable information that helped communities prepare for incoming threats. His voice became especially critical during two of the most destructive hurricanes to hit the region: Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Luis in 1995, when timely, accurate updates were a matter of life and death for local residents.
Mason’s impact extended far beyond the technical work of meteorological monitoring and forecasting. He possessed a rare gift for translating complex, jargon-heavy climate and weather data into accessible, actionable information that ordinary citizens could easily understand and use to protect themselves. His steady demeanor, unshakable professionalism, and quiet confidence turned the Meteorological Service into a widely trusted institution during some of the country’s most challenging crises, cementing his reputation as a cornerstone of national public safety.
His service to the nation was first formally recognized by the Antigua and Barbuda government back in 1995. Beyond his work in meteorology, Mason also made meaningful contributions to the country’s cultural community, supporting local artists and cultural initiatives across the islands.
ABMS leadership notes that naming the media centre after Mason is a particularly fitting tribute, as the facility is the very hub from which the agency continues the work Mason dedicated his life to: delivering clear, accurate weather and climate information to the public, empowering citizens to make informed choices that protect their lives, livelihoods, and property.
Dale C. S. Destin, current Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service, explained that the renaming serves two key purposes: it honors Mason’s lasting legacy, and it reminds today’s generation of meteorologists of the core responsibility they carry to the public. “Philbert Mason represented something very important in meteorology — the ability to take highly technical information and communicate it clearly, confidently and calmly to the people who needed it most,” Destin said. “For many of us in the profession, Philbert was more than a colleague or former leader. He was an inspiration. He demonstrated what it meant to be the voice of the Meteorological Service when the country was facing its greatest weather threats.”
Destin added that the location of the honor makes it all the more meaningful: “It is therefore especially appropriate that the place from which we communicate weather information to the public now carries his name. Every time a forecaster stands before the cameras or a media briefing is conducted here, the Philbert Mason Media Centre will remind us of the standard of professionalism, clarity and public service that he represented.”
Moving forward, ABMS is encouraging all forecasters, media partners, and facility users to adopt the new official name when referencing the centre, suggesting standard on-air phrases such as “Coming to you from the Philbert Mason Media Centre at the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service…” or the simplified “We’re here at the Philbert Mason Media Centre…” The agency hopes that over time, the new name will become as familiar to the public as the iconic voice of the man it honors.
This renaming is far more than a one-time commemoration: it is designed as a living tribute that connects the history of meteorological public service in Antigua and Barbuda to the ongoing mission of the modern agency. ABMS remains a critical national institution, tasked with delivering weather, climate, marine, and tsunami warning services across the islands. As the country’s official meteorological authority and the central hub for early warning systems, the agency forms a core pillar of national disaster resilience. Its accurate, timely information delivers measurable economic value to the nation, avoiding up to 6% of GDP in annual disaster losses and boosting operational efficiency — equal to roughly 200 to 400 million Eastern Caribbean dollars, or $74 to 150 million USD in avoided costs each year. Through its forecasting, warning, climate service, and hazard monitoring programs, ABMS protects lives, livelihoods, property, and critical infrastructure while supporting national disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. Its services underpin key economic sectors from aviation and maritime transport to the blue economy, tourism, agriculture, water management, health, energy, and emergency response, making it central to national safety, economic stability, and long-term sustainable development.