标签： Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic’s National Copyright Office (ONDA) has officially declared the national anthem a protected asset of the state, firmly establishing its public domain status and rejecting any claims of private ownership. José Rubén Gonell, Director of ONDA, emphasized that the anthem falls under state administration and protection according to existing legislation.

Gonell disclosed that a comprehensive review was conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and collective management societies to investigate potential unauthorized registration attempts. The investigation confirmed that no individual or entity has successfully claimed copyright over the national anthem within the Dominican Republic.

The legal foundation for the anthem’s status traces back to Law 700 of 1934, which officially adopted the lyrics by Emilio Prud’Homme and music by José Reyes. This legislation effectively placed the composition in the public domain from its inception.

Regarding digital platform controversies, Gonell explained that automated monetization systems sometimes improperly allocate royalties to content uploaders without verifying legitimate intellectual property rights. While musical arrangements and performances may generate rights for performers or arrangers, these derivative works do not affect the original composition’s protected status.

Looking forward, ONDA is developing new regulatory measures addressing artificial intelligence-generated content, including specialized declaration forms to distinguish human and automated contributions. The office reported a significant surge in copyright registrations between 2020-2025 and advocated for legislation requiring major international digital platforms to maintain local legal representation for improved dispute resolution and enforcement capabilities.

The Dominican Republic has initiated Operation Altagracian 2026, a comprehensive security and emergency response deployment designed to safeguard millions of pilgrims during the annual festivities honoring Our Lady of Altagracia. The operation commenced on Tuesday and will continue through Wednesday, January 21st at 6:00 PM, mobilizing an impressive force of 9,121 personnel including emergency responders, volunteers, and institutional collaborators throughout the country’s eastern region.

President Luis Abinader authorized the large-scale operation, which is being coordinated through the Emergency Operations Center (COE) in collaboration with multiple government agencies and the Government of La Altagracia province. The primary mission focuses on ensuring safe passage for citizens traveling to the Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of Altagracia in Higüey, the spiritual center of celebrations for the nation’s patron saint. Security and assistance coverage extends along all major routes from the Juan Carlos Bridge on Las Américas Avenue to the basilica itself.

COE Director Juan Manuel Méndez García identified traffic accidents as the foremost concern during the religious gatherings and emphasized the importance of responsible behavior among travelers. The operational framework includes 113 ambulances, 153 first aid stations, and two fully equipped field hospitals operated by the Dominican Red Cross and Civil Defense. A sophisticated Mobile Command Center will coordinate with the Directorate of Out-of-Hospital Emergency Services (DAEH) to manage response efforts.

The Ministry of Defense is providing aerial surveillance through helicopter support, while a specialized three-ring security perimeter will be established around the basilica complex. DIGESETT personnel will manage traffic flow and safety, with the Military and Police Commission of the Ministry of Public Works offering roadside assistance including mobile workshops and crane services. Authorities have reiterated warnings against driving under the influence of alcohol and urged compliance with official safety guidelines throughout the religious observances.

SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant move to balance tourism growth with environmental preservation, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources will inaugurate a new ecotourism route at the Palomino Dam on January 21, 2026. This development within the José del Carmen Ramírez National Park responds to a five-year surge in hiking and nature-based tourism, prompting authorities to implement enhanced safety and conservation frameworks.

The initiative, orchestrated by the Vice Ministry of Protected Areas and Biodiversity, follows a comprehensive evaluation and restructuring of access protocols to the protected zone. A pivotal component is a newly established overnight stay protocol, formally introduced to tour operators, local guides, and Ministry of Tourism officials during a virtual conference held on December 30.

Under the stringent new regulations, prospective campers are required to seek authorization a minimum of 15 days prior to their visit via the Ministry’s dedicated digital platform. Each visiting group must appoint a designated leader and be accompanied by at least one certified local guide for every ten participants. Overnight capacity is strictly limited to 120 visitors. The regulations explicitly prohibit alcohol, tobacco, controlled substances, and single-use plastics, mandating a ‘pack-in, pack-out’ waste policy to ensure zero environmental footprint.

An integral part of the rollout includes a specialized training program to certify local guides as Nature Interpreter Guides, a qualification that will eventually become compulsory for all guided visits. Future plans also entail the construction of permanent, eco-friendly overnight facilities to minimize ecological disruption and bolster sustainable local economic development. This new route replaces the previous access path to the Palomino Dam, which was closed in August 2025 as a preventive measure to safeguard both visitors and the region’s delicate ecosystem.

SANTO DOMINGO – A significant controversy has emerged in the Dominican Republic regarding the accessibility of the country’s national anthem on digital platforms. Prominent attorney Jaime Bobadilla brought attention to YouTube’s automated Content ID system, Interstreet Records, which has systematically removed videos containing performances of the Dominican National Anthem under allegations of intellectual property infringement.

Bobadilla expressed profound astonishment at these takedowns, characterizing them as an assault on fundamental national symbols. Through a widely circulated video on his social media account, the legal expert articulated that compositions of national significance should remain exempt from conventional copyright enforcement mechanisms.

The Dominican Ministry of Culture has promptly responded to these developments, initiating a formal investigation through its legal division. Official statements confirm that governmental authorities are examining the precise circumstances surrounding these content removals. Culture officials have reiterated the established legal position that the Dominican National Anthem, created by poet Emilio Prud’Homme with musical composition by José Reyes, exists as national property without copyright protection or commercial ownership constraints.

This incident has ignited broader conversations concerning the balance between digital platform policies and the preservation of cultural heritage. The blocking of these patriotic recordings has raised questions about automated content moderation systems and their ability to recognize culturally significant material that should remain in the public domain. The situation continues to develop as government institutions engage with platform representatives to resolve this conflict between technological enforcement and national identity preservation.

SANTO DOMINGO – A vehicular fire that erupted inside the westbound tunnel of 27 de Febrero Avenue during Tuesday’s morning rush hour triggered a massive emergency response before being fully contained. The incident, occurring approximately at 7:00 a.m., initially caused severe traffic gridlock throughout the National District, with congestion spilling over to adjacent alternative routes.

The coordinated emergency operation was orchestrated by the National Emergency and Security System 911, which deployed multiple specialized units to the scene. Response teams included two firefighting units from the National District Fire Department, medical support from the Directorate of Extrahospital Emergency Services (DAEH) with ambulance deployment, and aerial surveillance through dedicated drone units. The operation received additional reinforcement from traffic management specialists of the General Directorate of Traffic Safety and Land Transportation (Digesett) and security personnel from the Military and Police Commission (Comipol).

Authorities confirmed the successful resolution of the incident with no casualties or injuries reported. Following thorough safety checks and clearance operations, traffic circulation through the critical artery has been completely restored to normal patterns. The swift multi-agency response prevented potential escalation while demonstrating improved emergency preparedness capabilities within the city’s infrastructure crisis management systems.

SANTO DOMINGO – Dominican Interior Minister Faride Raful has officially refuted claims of organ trafficking networks operating within the country, calling for public responsibility to prevent unnecessary panic. The declaration came during Monday’s weekly session of the Citizen Security Plan, presided over by President Luis Abinader.

Minister Raful acknowledged ongoing investigations into human trafficking and violent criminal activities in the Cibao region while clarifying that no substantiated evidence supports the existence of organized organ harvesting operations. The minister specifically addressed viral social media speculation connecting recent child disappearances to alleged organ trafficking rings, stating these claims remain entirely unverified by official channels.

Regarding the December 31 disappearance of three-year-old Brianna Genao in Puerto Plata, authorities confirmed search operations continue through coordinated efforts among multiple security agencies. FBI agents who provided investigative support have concluded their field deployment, though interagency cooperation persists. Simultaneously, the case of Roldani Calderón, who vanished in Jarabacoa, remains actively investigated with no predetermined closure date until resolution is achieved.