标签： Dominican Republic

A violent incident unfolded at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) when a law student allegedly opened fire on campus, critically injuring two members of the university’s security staff. The Communications Director of UASD, Roberto Tejada Muñoz, provided details about the events leading up to the shooting. According to Tejada, the student, Alexander Jiménez Galván, had previously been involved in a confrontation with security personnel the night before the incident. During that encounter, his documents were confiscated after he was found driving in a restricted area of the campus. The following day, Jiménez returned to retrieve his documents but was reportedly accompanied by another individual and armed with a firearm. Tejada stated that Jiménez later moved to another part of the university, where the confrontation with security guards escalated into gunfire. The shooting occurred on Thursday afternoon, causing panic among those present. Jiménez was promptly arrested by authorities. The two injured security officers, Lyedgers Encarnación and another unnamed individual, were rushed to the Dominican Cuban Hospital and remain in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit. Encarnación underwent emergency surgery, while the second officer is scheduled for surgery later. Despite the incident, normal activities resumed on campus the following day, with businesses operating as usual and no visible police presence. Jiménez, now in custody at the Ciudad Nueva Palace of Justice, declined to comment, directing inquiries to his lawyer and referencing videos circulating on social media.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – Pedro Vaca Villarreal, the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating state of press freedom across the Americas. Speaking at the 81st General Assembly of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA), Vaca lamented the scarcity of positive examples of journalistic liberty in the region. He highlighted alarming developments in Guatemala, El Salvador, and the United States, where journalists face increasing obstacles. In Guatemala, reporters are being imprisoned for merely performing their duties, while El Salvador has imposed severe restrictions on access to public information, making confidentiality the norm. In the United States, new Pentagon regulations have been criticized for impeding journalistic work. Vaca also expressed concern over a broader regional trend of ‘tolerance for abuse,’ exacerbated by irresponsible and discriminatory rhetoric from political leaders, which undermines public trust. Panelists Andrés Mompotes, director of El Tiempo (Colombia), and Daniel Dessen, president of La Gaceta (Argentina), echoed these sentiments, noting the erosion of democratic values and ongoing efforts to delegitimize the press. Despite these challenges, Dessen pointed to failed censorship attempts in Argentina as a sign that ‘there are still reasons for optimism.’

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.

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.