The Casa del Cordón Taíno Cultural Center, a cultural initiative by Banco Popular Dominicano, is set to host a special guided tour titled “Five Greats in Dominican Art: Jaime, Darío, Paul, Gilberto, and Eligio” on Saturday, October 18, at 11:00 a.m. This event aims to celebrate the enduring legacy of five influential figures in Dominican visual art: Jaime Colson, Darío Suro, Paul Giudicelli, Gilberto Hernández Ortega, and Eligio Pichardo. Their contributions have significantly shaped the trajectory of 20th-century Dominican art and continue to inspire contemporary artists. The tour will be led by Gamal Michelén, a renowned architect, art critic, and the current Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage. Michelén will provide a detailed exploration of the artists’ techniques, influences, and the social themes that permeate their work, offering attendees a deeper understanding of their impact on modern Dominican art. The event is part of the exhibition “Masters of the Visual Arts,” which showcases selected works from Banco Popular’s extensive art collection. The exhibition is currently on display in the center’s temporary exhibition hall. In addition to the guided tour, visitors can explore the center’s permanent exhibit, “Our First Settlers,” which features 350 pre-Hispanic artifacts generously donated by the García Arévalo Foundation. The Casa del Cordón Cultural Center is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more details, visit www.casadelcordon.com or follow @casadelcordon on Instagram.
标签： Dominican Republic
多米尼加共和国
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Punta Cana Airport prepares for record winter arrivals
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – Frank Rainieri, a prominent tourism entrepreneur, has underscored the remarkable achievements of the Dominican Republic’s tourism industry, particularly the surge in flight arrivals during the winter season. Speaking at the UN Tourism International Conference on Tourism Cooperation, Rainieri revealed that Punta Cana Airport is poised to achieve a historic milestone in 2025, with record-breaking arrival numbers anticipated. To support this exponential growth, the airport is undergoing significant upgrades, including the construction of five additional emergency positions, ensuring seamless operations by the end of the year. Rainieri emphasized that the sector’s growth trajectory has reached a point where aiming for 10% annual increases is no longer feasible. Instead, the focus has shifted to sustaining growth while elevating service quality. He highlighted the role of high-end hotel developments in driving revenue, bolstering the economy, and maintaining the country’s appeal to international tourists. “The influx of dollars into the country is vital,” Rainieri stated. “It’s not merely about growth percentages but ensuring that tourism continues to generate substantial income and keeps the Dominican Republic a top destination for global travelers.”
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National Plant Festival opens at Botanical Garden
Santo Domingo’s Dr. Rafael M. Moscoso National Botanical Garden (JBN) has launched the 19th edition of its National Plant and Flower Festival, a vibrant celebration of the Dominican Republic’s botanical heritage and a platform for environmental education. The event, which runs until Saturday, October 19, has attracted 106 exhibitors, including international participants from Ecuador, Puerto Rico, and Canada, showcasing a wide array of ornamental plants. Visitors arrived early to explore the displays, with orchids emerging as a crowd favorite.
At the opening ceremony, JBN Director General Pedro Suárez underscored the festival’s 19-year legacy, emphasizing its dual role in promoting plant care expertise and raising environmental awareness. Suárez expressed optimism about surpassing last year’s attendance record of 15,000 visitors. The festival offers a packed schedule of activities from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., catering to diverse interests. Highlights include workshops on Kokedama techniques, urban and educational gardening, bonsai art, and floral arrangement. Additionally, children can engage in crafts using natural materials, while free talks and workshops delve into critical topics such as environmental conservation, the protection of native and endemic flora, ornamental plant production, and pest and disease management.
This year’s festival not only celebrates the beauty of plants but also serves as a hub for fostering a deeper connection between the community and nature, reinforcing the importance of sustainable practices and biodiversity preservation.
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Dominican Republic advances as Caribbean hub for executive private aviation
Las Vegas, Nevada – The Dominican Republic is solidifying its status as a top destination for executive private aviation, a sector intrinsically tied to luxury tourism. This development was unveiled by Víctor Pichardo, Executive Director of the Airport Department (DA), during the 2025 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA). Notably, the Dominican Republic is participating with its own stand for the first time at this prestigious event. Pichardo highlighted that this advancement underscores the government’s dedication, under President Luis Abinader, to fostering the private aviation industry. A key initiative in this endeavor is the introduction of the Protocol for Non-Commercial Private Aviation, established via presidential decree. This protocol streamlines procedures for private aircraft arrivals and departures, thereby enhancing investment opportunities and operational efficiency. ‘Over the past five years, we have made significant strides toward becoming a regional hub for executive private aviation,’ Pichardo remarked, emphasizing the sector’s increasing impact on tourism and the national economy. Dominican enterprises such as Grupo Puntacana, Panorama Jets, and Universal Aviation RD also showcased their aviation services and infrastructure at the convention. The NBAA, held annually in the United States, is the world’s largest business aviation event, drawing over 1,100 companies and 27,000 participants each year.
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CONAVIHSIDA reports decline in HIV cases in the Dominican Republic
In a recent announcement by the National Council for HIV and AIDS (CONAVIHSIDA), it was revealed that approximately 87,000 individuals in the Dominican Republic are currently living with HIV. Among these, 79,810 have been formally diagnosed, 56,503 are undergoing antiretroviral treatment, and an encouraging 49,517 have achieved a suppressed or undetectable viral load. CONAVIHSIDA emphasized that individuals with an undetectable viral load are incapable of transmitting the virus, highlighting the critical need to safeguard their fundamental rights, including access to employment, healthcare, and education without facing discrimination. National data further indicates that the Dominican Republic has achieved a 13% reduction in new HIV infections and a 59% decline in AIDS-related deaths by 2024. These advancements are attributed to the successful implementation of comprehensive prevention, treatment, and awareness policies as part of the country’s ongoing HIV response strategy.
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Caribbean movements unite against U.S. intervention on “Day of Collective Action”
The Assembly of the Peoples of the Caribbean (APC) has designated October 16 as a ‘Day of Collective Action,’ rallying Caribbean governments to stand united against U.S. military deployments and interventionist threats in Venezuela. The organization also opposes the proposed exclusion of Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua from the upcoming Summit of the Americas. Through its Regional Executive Committee, the APC has called upon citizens, social movements, and progressive leaders to defend the Caribbean as a ‘zone of peace’ and resist foreign interference. This stance aligns with the positions of CARICOM, CELAC, and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), all of which emphasize sovereignty and regional integration. In a strongly worded statement, the APC criticized U.S. policies in Latin America, labeling them as extensions of imperialist agendas aimed at controlling regional resources, particularly Venezuela’s oil reserves. The organization also condemned the U.S. blockade against Cuba, a policy widely rejected by the United Nations, and criticized the Dominican Republic’s decision to exclude Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua from the December 2025 Summit of the Americas. The APC urged Caribbean leaders, especially those in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and the Dominican Republic, to distance themselves from what it termed ‘U.S. aggression’ in the region. The declaration concluded with a call for unity, solidarity, and mobilization to protect Caribbean sovereignty, peace, and self-determination.
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Shooting at UASD leaves several injured, including security officer
A violent shooting incident unfolded on Thursday afternoon at the main campus of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), leaving several individuals injured, including a member of the university’s security team. The chaos erupted when an armed man, reportedly carrying a 12-gauge shotgun, entered the campus premises. Upon being confronted by university security personnel, the assailant opened fire, injuring at least two guards before fleeing the scene. The suspect was later apprehended by security forces at a nearby store and subsequently handed over to university authorities. The incident triggered widespread panic and confusion among students, faculty, and staff. Despite the gravity of the situation, a significant number of National Police officers who responded to the scene were unable to enter the campus due to restrictions imposed by university autonomy regulations, which limit police access to UASD grounds.
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Dominican Republic elected Pro Tempore President of CLASI for 2026–2027
Santo Domingo – In a landmark diplomatic achievement, the Dominican Republic has been elected Pro Tempore President of the Latin American Committee on Internal Security (CLASI) for the 2026–2027 term. This prestigious role underscores the nation’s institutional and technical capabilities in spearheading regional cooperation on internal security, justice, and crime prevention. The election highlights the European Union’s confidence in the Dominican Republic’s strides in institutional modernization, democratic governance, and its robust efforts to combat organized crime. CLASI, bolstered by the EU’s EL PAcCTO program, serves as a platform for Latin American countries to harmonize policies on security and justice. The Dominican Republic’s Vice Ministry of Internal Security will lead this initiative, coordinating inter-institutional policies, engaging with international organizations, and setting strategic priorities for the region. The Pro Tempore Presidency will focus on fostering multilateral alliances, promoting evidence-based security models, driving innovation, and upholding human rights. This leadership position is expected to enhance collaboration with the EU and CLASI member nations, facilitating technical assistance, knowledge exchange, and the implementation of sustainable security projects across Latin America.
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Bon Odori festival brings Japanese culture to life in Dajabón
The vibrant town of La Vigía in Dajabón recently hosted the Japanese Cultural Gathering ‘Bon Odori,’ a spectacular event that seamlessly blended Dominican and Japanese traditions. This celebration, held in the heart of the first Japanese colony in the Dominican Republic, was a feast for the senses, featuring traditional music, dance, and cuisine that paid homage to both cultures. Attendees were treated to the thunderous beats of taiko drums, mesmerizing ancestral dances, and the sight of participants adorned in yukatas, all while indulging in authentic Japanese delicacies like sushi and curry under the soft glow of traditional lanterns. The festival also highlighted local handicrafts, offering a comprehensive cultural experience. Omar Mukai, president of the Association of Japanese Descendants, emphasized the event’s mission to preserve and share Japanese heritage, which has been an integral part of Dominican culture for nearly 70 years. The Bon Odori, traditionally celebrated during Japan’s Obon Festival, is a joyous occasion that honors the spirits of ancestors with gratitude. The event was organized by Mukai in collaboration with the Ecotourism Cluster of Dajabón, led by Kathia Sarit De Mukai.
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UNICEF donates safe space for migrant children and women
In a significant move to address the needs of vulnerable migrants, the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) in Santiago, Dominican Republic, has unveiled a new safe space designed specifically for children, adolescents, and pregnant or nursing women intercepted due to irregular immigration status. The facility, generously donated by UNICEF, is equipped to offer secure and comfortable conditions during the migration process. This initiative is part of a larger agreement that includes the establishment of three such centers, with one already operational in Dajabón and another under construction in Elías Piña. The combined investment for these projects exceeds 18.2 million Dominican pesos. Each center is thoughtfully designed with recreational areas, offices for psychosocial support, rest zones, accessibility features, and air conditioning to ensure the privacy, well-being, and protection of its users. The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of UNICEF officials Geny Lozada and Yamira Cuesta, IOM representative Santos Miguel Román, CONANI official Natividad Rodríguez, and DGM representatives General Juan Carlos Vicente Pérez and Colonel Manuel Carrasco Guerrero.