标签： Dominican Republic

The quiet community of Villa Fundación in Bani remains in a state of profound shock following a brutal domestic violence incident on Wednesday night, December 24. An active agent with the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) is now in police custody after allegedly opening fire on his former romantic partner and her two young children within their family home.

The victims have been identified as Escarlen Melo and her children, aged 7 and 9. All three sustained severe gunshot wounds and required immediate intensive medical care. Ms. Melo is currently being treated at Nuestra Señora de Regla hospital. Due to the critical nature of their injuries, particularly one child who is in a state of extreme medical delicacy, the minors were transferred to a specialized private medical center for a higher level of care.

The alleged perpetrator, named as Frandy Amador Feliz, was reportedly an ex-partner of Ms. Melo. Authorities confirmed he did not reside with the family and is not the biological father of the children. Following the violent attack, Amador Feliz allegedly attempted to take his own life. He is now under armed guard while receiving medical treatment at the Pablo Pina hospital in San Cristóbal.

In response to the horrific event, the Unit for Attention to Victims of Gender Violence is preparing to formally request a coercive measure from judicial authorities, seeking charges of attempted femicide and filicide against Amador Feliz.

The Christmas Eve violence extended beyond this single tragedy. Local authorities in Bani are also investigating two separate violent incidents that occurred in the early hours of December 25. In the Las 20 Casitas neighborhood, a man identified as Wellington Federin Pinales suffered a bullet wound. Concurrently, in the El Fundo sector, another individual, Florentino Aybar, was struck by gunfire during an altercation. The Public Prosecutor’s Office and the National Police have maintained open investigations to fully clarify all facts and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) has officially revoked all maritime restrictions following an updated weather assessment from the national meteorological authority. This decision comes after the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) confirmed that sea conditions have normalized along both the northern Caribbean coasts.

In an official communication released today, the COE referenced Indomet’s latest bulletin which indicates that previously hazardous maritime conditions have subsided. The lifting of restrictions effectively opens coastal waters for all maritime activities after several days of heightened alert.

The safety measures were initially implemented on Thursday, December 25, 2025, when meteorological monitoring detected deteriorating sea conditions spanning from Cabo San Rafael in La Altagracia province to Cabo Cabrón in Samaná. During this period, authorities had issued advisories restricting maritime operations due to unsafe conditions.

Indomet’s marine reports serve as critical safety tools for diverse coastal users including beachgoers, fishing vessel operators, tour companies, water sports enthusiasts, and emergency management personnel. These comprehensive bulletins provide detailed data on significant wave height, wave period patterns, wind speed and intensity, alongside other meteorological variables including cloud coverage and precipitation forecasts.

The institute’s maritime advisory service additionally offers practical recommendations for beach usage during adverse conditions and provides astronomical data relevant to maritime operations, including precise sunrise/sunset timings and tidal height variations across different coastal regions of the country.

In a significant development within a high-profile criminal investigation, Dominican law enforcement authorities have apprehended a senior military officer for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of a teenage woman. The suspect has been identified as Major Diego Geraldo Mesa Arismendy, a 48-year-old officer serving in the Army of the Dominican Republic (ERD).

The arrest stems from the tragic death of 19-year-old Perla Jokasta Santos Pacheco, who sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head during the early hours of December 26, 2025. The incident occurred in the Los Guandules sector of the National District, prompting an intensive investigation by specialized homicide units.

According to an official joint statement released by the National Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Major Mesa Arismendy’s detention resulted from meticulous investigative work conducted by the Operational Department II of Homicide Investigations, operating under the Central Directorate of Investigation (Dicrim). Investigators employed comprehensive forensic techniques, including extensive reviews of surveillance footage from multiple locations and thorough evidence collection and analysis.

The judicial process followed established legal protocols, with the suspect remanded into custody pending formal proceedings. Major Mesa Arismendy will be presented before the Public Prosecutor’s Office to face appropriate legal actions as determined by Dominican law. Authorities have emphasized that investigations remain active, with additional developments expected as the case progresses through the judicial system.

SANTO DOMINGO, DR — The typical festive atmosphere of December in the Dominican Republic has been overshadowed by economic challenges, with local markets experiencing unusually sluggish sales of essential goods during and after the Christmas season.

Journalists from Listín Diario conducted field observations across multiple markets in the National District, documenting widespread concern among merchants about persistently weak consumer demand. At Mercado Nuevo de la Avenida Duarte, veteran vendor Luis José Tejada, with over twenty years of market experience, expressed deep frustration: ‘The situation is dire and has been deteriorating throughout the entire year. Consumer purchasing power has significantly diminished, and governmental support remains inadequate.’

This sentiment was echoed by numerous vendors who reported unprecedented market conditions in 2025. Juan Bautista, another market merchant, noted increased competition as consumers seek alternatives due to market saturation: ‘Sales fluctuate, but customers now disperse their purchases among numerous establishments offering similar products.’

The Villa Consuelo Market presented a similarly subdued picture, with numerous meat and sausage vendors absent from their stalls during peak hours. Those present were predominantly engaged in maintenance activities rather than sales. Juan Tomás Mercado, a stall owner, described December as ‘exceptionally slow and unusual,’ contradicting traditional holiday expectations. ‘The proverb suggests calm follows storms, but this year brought no storm—only continuous calm throughout all twelve months,’ he remarked.

Contrasting perspectives emerged from Maritza Feliz, proprietor of Carnicería Teteo, who reported positive December performance: ‘This has been a remarkably good December. While annual sales were generally slow, holiday transactions demonstrated significant dynamism.’

Post-Christmas Eve pricing analysis revealed seasonal foods maintaining elevated costs, with chicken priced between RD$90–95 and pork ranging from RD$120–140. Produce including carrots, cabbage, lettuce, onions, potatoes, and rice maintained prices between RD$40–120, while banana varieties (both ripe and green) stabilized at RD$25–30.