标签： Dominican Republic

The Boca Chica Garden project, once marketed as a luxurious beachfront residential complex tailored for Dominicans living abroad, has been unmasked as an alleged large-scale fraud. Over a hundred investors, many of whom are retirees from the Dominican diaspora, now face devastating financial losses and shattered dreams. An investigative report by *El Informe con Alicia Ortega* revealed that the promised modern apartments and amenities remain non-existent, with the development site still an untouched, abandoned lot.

Victims of the scheme shared harrowing accounts of their losses. Otoniel Pichardo, who invested $80,000 in four units, discovered the land flooded and devoid of any construction. Francia Romero and Gabriel Rodríguez, a Puerto Rican truck driver, also lost tens of thousands of dollars after being lured by glossy promotional materials and false promises of oceanfront living.

Attorney Miguel Serum, representing more than 100 affected investors, has filed a criminal complaint against developers Edgar and Mabel Hernández, accusing them of aggravated fraud and money laundering. Serum described the project as ‘a well-structured deception disguised as paradise.’ Apartments were sold for $54,000 to $80,000 each, accompanied by elaborate promises of luxury facilities. The developers’ lawyer, Frankelis Peña, has denied any wrongdoing, attributing delays to permitting issues—a claim victims argue fails to justify the total absence of construction.

Santo Domingo recently hosted the Franco-Dominican Seminar on the Fight against Human Trafficking and the Protection of Minors from New Threats, held from October 14 to 17. The event marked a significant step in deepening collaboration between the Dominican Republic and France to address critical issues such as human trafficking and digital threats to minors. Organized by the French Embassy, the Dominican National Police, and the Public Ministry, the seminar brought together 30 members of the National Police, 13 representatives of the Public Ministry, and key organizations including CONANI, Save the Children, UNODC, and European police attachés.

French experts from the Central Office for the Suppression of Human Trafficking (OCRTEH) and the Office for Minors (OFMIN) led discussions on combating online child pornography, the misuse of artificial intelligence in victim recruitment, and exploitation via social media. Additional topics included the dangers of deepfakes, cybercrime protocols, and strategies to dismantle transnational criminal networks. French Ambassador Sonia Barbry emphasized the global nature of these threats, stating, ‘No country is exempt from this challenge,’ and underscoring the need for skilled professionals to tackle evolving digital exploitation tactics.

Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful acknowledged France’s continued support and highlighted successful initiatives like Operation Begonia, which rescued 41 victims. The seminar concluded with the signing of a bilateral roadmap aimed at enhancing police cooperation, advancing training programs, and strengthening the investigative capabilities of DICRIM.

In a landmark session at the National Assembly of the Dominican Republic, Senate President Ricardo de los Santos and Chamber of Deputies President Alfredo Pacheco introduced the Comprehensive Reform ‘Let Her Go’ (Déjala Ir). This pioneering legislative initiative aims to significantly reduce femicides and filicides by 2030 and eradicate them entirely by 2035. The reform, championed by Representative Kimberly Taveras and supported by over 70 legislators from both chambers, was meticulously crafted over nine months to establish a national agenda focused on safeguarding lives and fostering family peace. Unlike traditional punitive approaches, the reform emphasizes prevention, protection, and the reintegration of victims, signaling a transformative shift in public policy and institutional modernization. Key components of the reform include the criminalization of vicarious violence, the establishment of specialized courts, the integration of emotional education and social workers in schools, and the implementation of a National Care System. Additionally, the initiative advocates for the disarmament of aggressors, the use of technology for monitoring and early warnings, and the coordination of policies across rural and border regions. Hailed as the largest women-led movement in the history of the Dominican Congress, the reform has garnered unanimous support from legislators across all political parties. During the session, participants read a manifesto declaring femicides and filicides a national emergency, urging all sectors of society—from the State and academia to media and civil organizations—to unite in collective action.