Carib Scope

标签： Dominican Republic

多米尼加共和国

  • MIREX urges Dominicans in Venezuela to take precautions

    MIREX urges Dominicans in Venezuela to take precautions

    The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) has escalated its security alert for Dominican nationals residing in Venezuela, issuing an urgent advisory for enhanced vigilance amid evolving circumstances in the South American nation. The ministry’s security directive emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining constant awareness through officially verified information channels.

    In an official communiqué released this week, MIREX clarified the current diplomatic representation arrangement confirming that since July 30, 2024, the Kingdom of Spain has assumed responsibility for protecting Dominican interests within Venezuelan territory. This consular protection agreement enables Dominican citizens requiring emergency assistance to contact the Spanish Consulate in Caracas through its dedicated 24-hour emergency line at +58 424 209 0264.

    While overseas consular services are handled through Spanish diplomatic channels, MIREX’s domestic operations continue to provide support during standard business hours. Dominican citizens can reach the ministry’s headquarters in Santo Domingo at (809) 987-7001, specifically extensions 7595, 7597, and 7100. Alternative communication remains available through the official email address proteccionnacionales@mirex.gob.do.

    The foreign ministry issued a firm recommendation against all non-essential travel to Venezuela until further notice, citing unresolved security concerns that could potentially endanger foreign visitors. This precautionary stance reflects the government’s commitment to citizen protection in regions experiencing political or social instability.

  • Several injured after bus accident in Higüey

    Several injured after bus accident in Higüey

    A public transportation vehicle carrying hotel workers veered off course and crashed in the eastern Dominican Republic on Sunday, resulting in multiple casualties. The incident occurred near the entrance to Anamuya, a coastal town within the province of La Altagracia, a region renowned for its tourism infrastructure.

    According to preliminary investigations by local authorities, the commercial bus was navigating a sharp curve when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle. This loss of control precipitated a collision with a large roadside advertising billboard. The impact caused significant damage to the front section of the bus.

    Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene to provide medical assistance and transport the injured to nearby medical facilities. While official sources have not released a finalized count of those harmed or their specific conditions, initial reports confirm that all passengers were employees of local hospitality establishments concluding their work shifts. The investigation into the precise cause of the accident, including potential factors like mechanical failure or road conditions, remains ongoing as authorities work to notify the victims’ families.

  • Abinader: The Dominican Republic is willing to help restore democracy, peace, and harmony in Venezuela

    Abinader: The Dominican Republic is willing to help restore democracy, peace, and harmony in Venezuela

    SANTO DOMINGO – Dominican President Luis Abinader has publicly commented on the dramatic apprehension of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by United States forces. The operation, which resulted in Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores being taken into custody in New York on charges encompassing drug trafficking and terrorism, prompted an official response from the Caribbean nation.

    Through an official statement disseminated on social media platforms, President Abinader confirmed that his government is monitoring the situation with keen interest. He contextualized the Dominican Republic’s position by referencing its longstanding diplomatic stance, which has consistently rejected the legitimacy of Maduro’s presidency following the contentious July 2024 elections.

    Abinader highlighted the nation’s prior diplomatic efforts, specifically the promotion of the Santo Domingo Declaration in August 2024. This initiative was championed by the Dominican government to advocate for the unequivocal respect of the electoral will expressed by the Venezuelan populace.

    Stressing the profound and historic bonds of solidarity between the Dominican and Venezuelan peoples, the president articulated a firm commitment to facilitating a peaceful democratic transition. “We reiterate our readiness to collaborate in the restoration of democracy, peace, and national harmony in Venezuela,” Abinader declared. He concluded with a powerful affirmation of his nation’s principles: “The Dominican Republic will always stand on the side of democracy. Wherever, whenever, and before whomever.”

    The capture of the Venezuelan head of state marks a significant escalation in international relations, placing the Caribbean nation in a pivotal role as a regional advocate for democratic governance.

  • “This is a miracle,” Venezuelans celebrate in the Dominican Republic the fall of Nicolás Maduro

    “This is a miracle,” Venezuelans celebrate in the Dominican Republic the fall of Nicolás Maduro

    Santo Domingo witnessed an outpouring of emotion as hundreds of Venezuelan expatriates flooded the streets of the National District, celebrating the dramatic arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The vibrant gathering, centered along the Malecón waterfront, transformed into a massive demonstration of national pride and political liberation.

    Clad in the distinctive yellow, blue, and red of the Venezuelan flag, the crowd created an atmosphere of collective catharsis. Chants echoing from Güibia beach captured the raw sentiment of the moment, with participants openly expressing their long-suppressed frustrations with the Chavista regime. The emotional spectrum ranged from tearful embraces to triumphant cheers, symbolizing a renewed hope for political transformation in their homeland.

    Luis Felipe, a 32-year-old naturalized Dominican citizen originally from Caracas, described the development as “miraculous.” Having fled Venezuela over five years ago seeking refuge from governmental oppression and economic instability, he represented countless others who found sanctuary in the Dominican Republic. His narrative was echoed by José López, another participant who viewed Maduro’s detention as the realization of a long-awaited dream for liberation.

    Despite the celebratory atmosphere, many acknowledged practical limitations. While viewing the arrest as a critical first step toward democratization, numerous expatriates recognized they might not permanently return to Venezuela, having established new lives and families in their host country.

    The spontaneous celebration extended along George Washington Avenue, where participants temporarily halted traffic to share their joy with bystanders. The gathering gained cultural significance with the appearance of Venezuelan musical artist Danny Ocean (Daniel Alejandro Morales Reyes), who publicly endorsed both the celebration and the U.S. military intervention that facilitated Maduro’s capture.

    Local authorities, including dozens of National Police officers, intervened to ensure public order, successfully redirecting protesters to pedestrian walkways to maintain traffic flow without incident.

    Background: Maduro was transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn following his arrest, facing serious charges including narcotics trafficking, terrorism, and crimes related to automatic weapons. His wife, Cilia Flores, was similarly detained. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice has appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader, characterizing Maduro’s capture as an unlawful kidnapping orchestrated by the Trump administration.

  • Dominican Republic shatters record for arrivals with 11.6 million visitors in 2025

    Dominican Republic shatters record for arrivals with 11.6 million visitors in 2025

    The Dominican Republic concluded 2025 with an extraordinary tourism achievement, recording approximately 960,000 air arrivals in December alone—a monumental 10% growth that represents the highest monthly figure in the nation’s history. This remarkable performance culminated in an unprecedented annual total of 11.6 million visitors, solidifying the country’s position as a regional tourism powerhouse.

    This accomplishment transcends mere post-pandemic recovery, demonstrating instead the resilience and strategic diversification of the Dominican tourism model amid global geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, and shifting travel patterns. Notably, these results significantly surpass pre-pandemic benchmarks of 667,000 monthly tourists, achieved during a more favorable international climate without the adverse impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which previously cost the destination over 500,000 annual visitors.

    Despite challenges in traditional markets including slowed growth from the United States, the Dominican tourism sector accelerated dramatically during the final quarter of 2025. Critical to this success has been enhanced air connectivity, strategic demand management, and the seamless integration of approximately 2,500 new hotel rooms while maintaining robust occupancy rates and sustained investor confidence.

    Concurrently, cruise tourism emerged as a strategic pillar with 2.8 million passengers welcomed throughout the year. The arrival of large-scale vessels and expanded international itineraries validated the country’s modernized port infrastructure, reinforcing its status as a leading Caribbean cruise destination.

    Leadership under Tourism Minister David Collado received widespread recognition from global industry leaders including Gabriel Escarrer, Sabina Fluxá, and Frank Rainieri, who praised the administration’s strategic vision and execution. Uniquely, this acclaim extended beyond private sector figures to governmental peers, with tourism ministers throughout the Americas identifying Collado as a regional leader for his exceptional management in challenging times.
    This consensus was formally recognized when UN Tourism designated Collado as Minister of Tourism for the Americas—a distinction that highlights both his leadership and the Dominican Republic’s model of effective tourism policy. The year’s achievements reflect institutional maturity driven by clear strategy, consistent execution, and strong public-private collaboration, establishing new historical benchmarks for Caribbean tourism.

  • The fall of Maduro and its impact on Dominican tourism

    The fall of Maduro and its impact on Dominican tourism

    The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a significant airspace advisory on Saturday, warning commercial carriers to avoid Caribbean air corridors due to what it described as a ‘potentially hazardous situation.’ This development coincides with confirmed U.S. military operations aimed at apprehending Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

    The aviation regulator’s official notification attributed the airspace closure to ‘flight safety risks associated with ongoing military activity,’ without providing further operational specifics. This precautionary measure has precipitated immediate and widespread disruption across the region’s aviation network.

    The directive has triggered an immediate wave of flight cancellations, with the Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, experiencing particularly severe disruptions to its connections with Puerto Rico and neighboring nations. Norberto Negrón, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, confirmed that operational suspensions extended beyond San Juan’s primary international airport to include six additional facilities across the island.

    The unprecedented scale of these restrictions has effectively paralyzed the Caribbean’s busiest air routes, creating logistical chaos for airlines and passengers alike. Aviation experts note that such comprehensive airspace warnings are exceptionally rare and indicate serious underlying security concerns. The FAA continues to monitor the situation closely, though no timeline has been provided for the restoration of normal flight operations.

  • At least eight respiratory viruses attacked the population in 2025.

    At least eight respiratory viruses attacked the population in 2025.

    SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The Dominican Republic’s public health landscape for 2025 reveals a complex epidemiological picture with both concerning increases and significant improvements across various disease categories, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Public Health’s National Directorate of Epidemiology.

    While several pathogens remained under special epidemiological surveillance throughout the year—including respiratory viruses, dengue, malaria, leptospirosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus in non-neonatal ages, and meningococcal disease—only three showed increased case numbers compared to 2024: leptospirosis, pertussis, and meningococcal disease. All other monitored conditions demonstrated declining incidence rates as the epidemiological year approached its conclusion.

    The nation’s sentinel surveillance system detected multiple circulating respiratory viruses throughout 2025, comprising influenza A(H1N1) pdm09, influenza A (H3N2), influenza B Victoria, adenovirus, SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza, and metapneumovirus. Notably, the final four weeks of the year witnessed a substantial surge in respiratory cases, primarily driven by RSV activity.

    According to the epidemiological bulletin for week 51 (through December 19, 2025), confirmed case numbers stood at: 325 dengue infections, 874 malaria cases, 182 leptospirosis incidents, 1 human rabies case, 12 diphtheria patients, 22 non-neonatal tetanus occurrences, 47 pertussis infections, and 34 meningococcal disease cases. The report also documented 174 maternal deaths and 1,789 infant fatalities.

    RSV demonstrated a distinctive seasonal pattern, with analysis revealing significant increased activity between epidemiological weeks 43 and 46, followed by a declining trend through week 50. Health authorities attribute this pattern to multiple factors including holiday population dynamics, weather conditions, and interactions among respiratory viruses.

    The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) simultaneously reported increased global circulation of influenza A(H3N2) subclade K virus (J.2.4.1), particularly in European and East Asian regions where it accounted for nearly half of sequences reported between May and November 2025. The international health body recommends strengthened genomic surveillance, maintained high vaccination coverage, and preparedness for potentially early or intense activity during the 2025-26 season.

    The Dominican Republic’s public health achievements in 2025 include zero cases of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and rubella, attributed to sustained vaccination campaigns and robust epidemiological surveillance. The country recorded no cholera cases (100% reduction), a 76% decrease in dengue cases, and a 17% reduction in malaria infections compared to 2024. Maternal mortality declined to 163 deaths from 170 in 2024, while infant mortality dropped 18.93% to 1,764 fatalities through week 51 compared to 2,176 during the same period last year.

  • Brianna Genao Rosario, a young girl, has been missing since December 31st.

    Brianna Genao Rosario, a young girl, has been missing since December 31st.

    A profound sense of anguish has gripped the community of Barrero in the Dominican Republic following the mysterious disappearance of Brianna Genao Rosario. The young girl was last seen on December 31st at approximately 5:00 p.m., triggering an extensive multi-agency search operation that has now entered a critical phase with intensified efforts.

    Search and rescue teams comprising National Police officers, Civil Defense personnel, Fire Department specialists, and numerous community volunteers have launched a comprehensive ground operation across multiple locations within the municipality of Imbert. The collective mission continues to be driven by the unwavering hope of locating Brianna alive and reuniting her with her family.

    Authorities have released a crucial identifying detail: at the time of her disappearance, Brianna was wearing distinctive pink clothing. This information has been widely circulated to assist the public in recognizing the missing minor.

    Law enforcement officials have urgently appealed to citizens to report any potentially relevant information immediately through the dedicated hotline at 829-754-0126 or by contacting the nearest police station. Even seemingly insignificant details could prove vital to the investigation.

    The emotional toll on Brianna’s family was palpable as her grandfather made a heartfelt public plea: ‘I implore our community to continue helping us find my granddaughter. We cannot find peace until she is safely home with us.’ His words captured the family’s desperate determination.

    Echoing this sentiment, Brianna’s mother delivered an emotional appeal: ‘To anyone who might have information about my daughter’s whereabouts, I beg you to come forward. Regardless of circumstances, we need to bring her home. No child should be separated from their family like this.’

    The search operation represents a remarkable collaboration between official agencies and local residents, all united in their determination to bring closure to this distressing case that has captured national attention.

  • Luis Abinader speaks about the Dominican Republic’s position after US attacks in Venezuela

    Luis Abinader speaks about the Dominican Republic’s position after US attacks in Venezuela

    Following the dramatic apprehension of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by US special forces, Dominican President Luis Abinader has formally reiterated his nation’s diplomatic position. The operation, which culminated in Maduro’s transfer to New York for trial, prompted a swift response from the Caribbean leader.

    In an official statement disseminated via his social media channel, President Abinader underscored that the Dominican Republic had consistently refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of Maduro’s presidency following the contentious July 2024 electoral process. He referenced the pivotal Santo Domingo Declaration from August of that year, a document which emphatically called for international respect for the sovereign will of the Venezuelan electorate as expressed through democratic ballots.

    Abinader articulated his government’s readiness to provide collaborative support aimed at reinstating democratic governance, fostering peace, and achieving national reconciliation within Venezuela. He confirmed his administration is monitoring the rapidly evolving situation between the United States and Venezuela with acute attention. Concluding his remarks with a powerful principle, the President declared, “The Dominican Republic will always stand on the side of democracy. Wherever, whenever, and before whomever.”

    In a parallel development, Nicolás Maduro arrived under heavy guard at the Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York. Escorted in handcuffs from a US military aircraft, he was met by a formidable security detail comprising agents from multiple federal agencies, including the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), amidst freezing sub-zero temperatures. Reports from local media indicate his anticipated transfer to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, a federal penitentiary, pending judicial proceedings.

  • Pollution Violation of the Environmental Law must have consequences

    Pollution Violation of the Environmental Law must have consequences

    Environmental advocate Ivonne Arias has issued a forceful call for comprehensive legal enforcement and public education reforms to address the Dominican Republic’s escalating river pollution crisis. Arias contends that systemic failures in implementing environmental regulations have perpetuated ecological damage, demanding immediate consequences for violators including corporate entities and negligent officials.

    The environmental specialist emphasized that mere financial penalties prove insufficient deterrents. She advocates for criminal prosecution against businesses discharging waste into waterways, stating that environmental damage constitutes a crime against public welfare. Arias highlighted how pollutant discharge not only contaminates water supplies but critically depletes oxygen levels, devastating aquatic ecosystems.

    Beyond enforcement, Arias outlined necessary preventive measures including nationwide river surveillance systems and educational initiatives promoting environmental stewardship. She criticized institutional bureaucracy that hinders environmental protection efforts while acknowledging some governmental and private sector attempts at improvement.

    The environmentalist stressed that without consistent monitoring and follow-up on violations, pollution incidents will continue recurring. She urged authorities to develop transparent environmental planning while insisting that both legal application and cultural respect for natural resources must become national priorities to achieve meaningful ecological preservation.