Santo Domingo.- On World Children’s Day, the Dominican Republic confronts a pressing crisis of violence against minors, as highlighted by a surge in tragic incidents reported throughout 2025. While the nation has made strides in areas like breastfeeding, maternal care, and curbing child marriage, UNICEF has raised alarms over escalating issues in violent discipline and child protection, calling for immediate governmental intervention. Recent UNICEF statistics reveal a troubling rise in violent discipline against children aged 1 to 14, increasing from 62.9% to 63.5%, indicating deteriorating conditions within households. This year has also witnessed a series of high-profile cases involving extreme violence, including kidnappings, abuse, and homicides of children as young as one year old across provinces such as Santo Domingo, La Romana, and Dajabón. UNICEF emphasizes that these incidents are not isolated but rather indicative of systemic failures in prevention, protection, and family support systems. The organization urges the government to prioritize comprehensive measures to safeguard children and address the root causes of these pervasive issues.
标签： Dominican Republic
多米尼加共和国
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Dominican Republic hosts PAcCTO 2.0 congress on illicit asset recovery
In a compelling address at the Regional Seminar on Organized Crime and Asset Forfeiture in Santo Domingo, Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso underscored the critical need for efficient and real-time international cooperation to tackle the escalating threats of cybercrime and transnational criminal networks. Reynoso emphasized that outdated bureaucratic processes are ill-equipped to counter the agility of modern criminal groups, which operate seamlessly across borders. She highlighted the Dominican Republic’s significant strides in combating organized crime, citing over 30 major operations since 2020 targeting drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, human trafficking, and arms smuggling. A notable success was the recovery of over 2 billion pesos from a corruption case, funds now being reinvested into community sports centers. The seminar, organized by EL PAcCTO 2.0 with EU support, convened 80 representatives from 17 Latin American and 5 European countries. Discussions focused on asset recovery best practices, legislative updates to the Palermo Convention, and emerging threats like cryptocurrency-based money laundering. Reynoso emphasized the Dominican Republic’s strategic Caribbean location as a pivotal hub for fostering regional security alliances and strengthening cross-border collaboration.
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Caribbean customs officials meet in Santo Domingo
In a significant move to bolster regional security and economic stability, customs representatives from twelve Caribbean nations convened in the Dominican Republic. The meeting, organized under the Caribbean Council for the Application of Customs Laws (CCALA/CCLEC), aimed to enhance institutional capacity, develop human resources, improve border security, and expand the exchange of customs information. The event brought together English-, French-, and Dutch-speaking customs administrations, alongside representatives from the Dominican Republic and Cuba.
Eduardo “Yayo” Sanz Lovatón, Director of Dominican Customs, highlighted the government’s commitment to ratifying the 2019 agreement signed in Cuba. This agreement, which requires approval from at least ten member states, seeks to transform CCLEC into the Caribbean Customs Organization, a more robust and unified entity.
During the discussions, participants reviewed past initiatives and outlined future strategies in areas such as regional intelligence, cybersecurity, capacity building, and information sharing. These measures are critical in combating smuggling and other transnational crimes that threaten the region. The meeting was led by CCLEC President Roderick Lionel Croes and Permanent Secretary Claude Paul, who emphasized the importance of coordinated customs efforts for safeguarding regional security and fostering economic growth.
The gathering included officials from Aruba, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, the Netherlands, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, and the Dominican Republic. This collaborative effort underscores the Caribbean nations’ shared commitment to addressing common challenges through enhanced cooperation and strategic planning.
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Two technical failures disrupt Santo Domingo Metro service
The Santo Domingo Metro experienced two significant technical disruptions on Wednesday, causing partial service halts on Lines 1 and 2. The first incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. at the María Montez station on Line 2, leading to a suspension of operations for over two hours. According to the Office for the Reorganization of Transport (OPRET), service was restored by 9:37 a.m. The disruption was attributed to a malfunctioning track switch, which impacted train arrivals and departures at the station. Later in the day, a second failure occurred shortly after 6:00 p.m. on Line 1, affecting the Mamá Tingó–Hermanas Mirabal section in Villa Mella. Operations were halted for more than an hour, with service resuming at 7:20 p.m. OPRET did not disclose the cause of this incident. Despite delays and overcrowding, authorities assured the public that neither event posed any safety risks to passengers. In response to the disruptions, OPRET Director Jhael Isa Tavárez announced the implementation of a comprehensive maintenance strategy, combining preventive, corrective, and predictive measures. This initiative is part of the ongoing construction of Line 2C. Tavárez clarified that the morning breakdown was not electrical but resulted from a loose connection caused by vibrations from nearby construction activities at María Montez.
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Dominican exports total US$11.954 billion through October
SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican Republic has demonstrated robust economic performance with exports reaching US$11.954 billion during the first ten months of the year, representing a significant 10% year-on-year increase. Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs Minister Víctor Bisonó announced these figures, characterizing the growth as evidence of a nation that “dares, innovates, and transforms perseverance into tangible progress.”
A particularly notable achievement was recorded in October, which witnessed the highest export volume for that month in over a decade, exceeding US$1.25 billion in overseas sales. Beyond traditional goods, the country is emerging as a powerful exporter of modern services. This sector has experienced explosive growth, with exports soaring to US$2.289 billion. This marks a 29% surge compared to the previous year and a staggering 175% expansion since 2019, underscoring a strategic shift towards a knowledge-based economy.
Minister Bisonó credited this success to the government’s strategic, long-term economic policy focused on global integration and sustainable development. This approach has positioned the country as a premier investment destination, capturing 30% of all foreign direct investment flowing into the Caribbean and Central American region. Bolstered by this momentum, the government confidently projects that foreign investment will hit an unprecedented US$5 billion by the close of the current fiscal year.
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Mets name Dominican Gilbert Gómez first base and outfield coach
The New York Mets have made a significant addition to their Major League Baseball coaching roster by promoting Gilbert Gómez to the position of first base and outfield coach for the upcoming season. The organization highlighted Gómez’s exceptional leadership qualities, his unique ability to communicate effectively with emerging talent, and his contemporary approach to baseball instruction as key factors in their decision.
Gómez’s journey with the Mets organization began in 2009 when he was initially signed as a player. Demonstrating remarkable foresight, he transitioned from his playing career at just 25 years old to pursue coaching full-time. His ascent through the Mets’ developmental system has been nothing short of meteoric, with Gómez occupying critical roles including hitting coach, bench coach, and ultimately managerial positions.
The 2025 season marked a pinnacle achievement in Gómez’s coaching career when he guided the Brooklyn Cyclones to an unprecedented campaign. Under his leadership, the team secured a franchise-record 72 victories and maintained a perfect postseason record to claim the South Atlantic League championship. His expertise has been recognized on international stages as well, having managed MLB’s Breakout Game and served as assistant to Albert Pujols for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Gómez previously contributed to the Dominican Republic’s bronze medal performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
In his native Dominican Republic, Gómez has made history with Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM). During the 2023-24 season, he became the youngest manager in league history to secure a championship, joining an elite group of just seven Dominican managers who have won titles in their debut managerial year.
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Constitutional Court strikes down ban on same-sex relations in Police and Armed Forces
In a landmark ruling, the Constitutional Court (TC) of the Dominican Republic has declared provisions criminalizing same-sex relationships within the National Police and Armed Forces unconstitutional. The decision, outlined in judgment TC/1225/25, nullifies Article 210 of Law 285, which pertains to the National Police Justice Code, and Article 260 of Law 3483, part of the Armed Forces Justice Code. These articles previously classified same-sex relationships as ‘sodomy’ and imposed correctional imprisonment of six months to one year for officers involved. The Court found that these provisions violated the principle of reasonableness and constituted unjustified discrimination against homosexual individuals. This ruling ensures that military and police personnel can now engage in same-sex relationships without fear of disciplinary action, marking a significant step toward LGBTQ+ rights in the country.
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Abinader welcomes seven new ambassadors
In a significant diplomatic event, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic officially welcomed seven new ambassadors during a formal ceremony held at the National Palace’s Ambassadors’ Hall. The occasion, attended by Vice President Raquel Peña and Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, marked the commencement of diplomatic missions from the European Union, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, India, the United States, Norway, the Czech Republic, and Belarus. The ceremony began with Raúl Fuentes Milani, the European Union’s new representative, a veteran diplomat with expertise in global health and European affairs. Enrique Antonio Valdez Aguiar, representing the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, followed. Kishan Dan Dewal, India’s new ambassador with over two decades of international service, presented his credentials alongside Leah Francis Campos, the U.S. ambassador, who brings a wealth of experience in public affairs and foreign policy. Norway’s ambassador, John Petter Opdahl, with a distinguished career in Latin America and the Caribbean, also formalized his role. Zdeněk Kubánek, the Czech Republic’s representative, known for his work in international trade and Latin American diplomacy, was next. The event concluded with Belarusian ambassador Vitali P. Barchuk, who specializes in foreign economic relations and previously served in Cuba.
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Adompretur represents Dominican Republic at international tourism journalism congress in Brazil
CAXIAS DO SUL, BRAZIL – The Dominican Association of Tourism Press (Adompretur) has elevated the nation’s profile on the global stage through its influential participation in the 15th International Congress of Journalists and Tourism Professionals. Hosted in the Brazilian city of Caxias do Sul, the prestigious gathering was orchestrated by the World Organization of Tourism Journalism (OMPT), centering on the powerful theme, ‘Tourism that moves, history that inspires.’
A high-level delegation from Adompretur, comprising both national and regional leadership, articulated a progressive vision for tourism journalism. They asserted that the field’s fundamental role extends beyond mere promotional activities to encompass the crafting of impactful narratives that celebrate cultural heritage, empower local communities, and champion sustainable practices.
The congress served as a platform for honoring excellence in the sector. The OMPT conferred institutional accolades, most notably inducting two distinguished Latin American journalists into the World Hall of Fame of Tourism Leaders and Tourism Journalists: Kevin Casanova of Colombia and Jesús ‘Chuy’ Coronado of Mexico. In a significant recognition of individual dedication, Adompretur’s Secretary General, Carmen Bretón, was presented with a special award lauding her enduring contributions to the advancement of responsible tourism communication.
A key outcome of the international meeting was the fortification of cross-border collaborative networks and the establishment of new strategic partnerships. Furthermore, the event significantly boosted the status of host city Caxias do Sul, securing its inclusion in the UN Tourism Global Network of Emerging Destinations. For Adompretur, this active engagement not only cements its standing as a regional authority in tourism journalism but also markedly amplifies the Dominican Republic’s presence and influence within crucial international tourism dialogues.
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U.S. authorities intercept smuggling attempt on ship from the Dominican Republic
In a significant narcotics interception, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel in Puerto Rico have confiscated 530 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding $10 million. The seizure occurred aboard the M/V Lyktos, a vessel arriving from the Dominican Republic, highlighting ongoing security challenges in Caribbean maritime routes.
The discovery was made on November 11 when CBP’s Counter Terrorism Smuggling Enforcement Team conducted routine inspections. Agents identified anomalies in several containers during their initial screening, prompting an intensified examination. The narcotics were concealed using sophisticated methods, including modified chassis compartments and canvas bags strategically hidden within legitimate cargo.
Roberto Vaquero, CBP’s Director of Field Operations in San Juan, emphasized that the operation demonstrates the agency’s continued vigilance and specialized capabilities. “This seizure reflects our commitment to preventing drug trafficking through advanced detection methods and intelligence-driven operations,” Vaquero stated.
Authorities employed multiple resources including detection technology, intelligence analysis, and specially trained canine units to locate the concealed substances. The sophistication of the concealment methods indicates evolving tactics by traffickers attempting to bypass security measures.
Following the seizure, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has assumed control of the case for further investigation and prosecution. The waters west of Puerto Rico, particularly the Mona Passage separating the island from the Dominican Republic, remain a high-risk zone for drug trafficking activities due to their strategic location and challenging monitoring conditions.