标签： Dominican Republic

Residents of the Dominican Republic are set to experience a notable shift in weather conditions as the first polar air mass of the season sweeps across the region. Weather analyst Jean Suriel has forecasted that Saturday night and early Sunday morning will bring the most pronounced cold spell of the weekend, particularly in mountainous areas and the Cibao region. Temperatures are expected to drop significantly between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. over the coming days, offering a welcome respite from the usual heat. This cooling effect is attributed to the arrival of polar air from the north, which has already caused sub-zero temperatures in parts of the United States. The Dominican Republic will feel the full impact of this phenomenon tonight, with temperatures plummeting to unusually low levels. Additionally, a stationary cold front in the northern Caribbean and an advancing frontal system are further intensifying the chill. Suriel provided detailed minimum temperature forecasts for various locations, including Pico Duarte at -1 °C, Valle Nuevo at 2 °C, and Santo Domingo at 20 °C. This weather event is linked to two cold fronts that have recently affected the United States, with the polar air now extending its reach into the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic is expected to experience the strongest effects of this cold spell tonight, marking a significant departure from its typical tropical climate.

In a significant crackdown on transnational organized crime, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has successfully extradited four Dominican citizens to the United States. These individuals are accused of orchestrating a sophisticated telephone scam that targeted hundreds of elderly Americans. The fraudulent operation, based in a call center in the Dominican Republic, involved deceiving seniors into making urgent payments or money transfers under false pretenses. The FBI’s Boston office spearheaded the investigation, uncovering the extent of the scam and its impact on vulnerable victims. The case highlights the growing threat of international fraud schemes and the importance of cross-border law enforcement collaboration. Political commentator Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent, praised the FBI’s efforts in a post on his official X account (@FBIDDBongino), commending the agency for its dedication to protecting senior citizens. This case underscores the critical need for continued vigilance and cooperation in combating organized crime that exploits vulnerable populations.

Santo Domingo, DR—Joel Santos, the Minister of Energy and Mines, addressed the public on Thursday to refute claims circulating in media and social networks regarding the completion of a technical report on the recent national electricity grid failure. Santos emphasized that any documents currently in circulation are unofficial and lack formal endorsement. He assured that the investigation remains ongoing, with the technical committee set to reconvene on Friday, June 14, to continue its detailed review of data from all participants in the National Interconnected Electricity System (SENI).

The Minister highlighted the importance of a thorough and rigorous inquiry, which must encompass all aspects of the grid, including transmission, distribution, generation, system operation, and field personnel. The investigation also focuses on evaluating protection mechanisms and protocols to determine the exact cause of the blackout and to enhance the resilience of the national electrical system.

Santos outlined two primary lines of inquiry: verifying compliance with field operating protocols to assess potential human error, and analyzing technical data from various components of the electrical system to confirm their performance during the failure. He reiterated that the technical committee is meticulously examining the sequence of events, equipment, and maneuvers involved, in accordance with current regulations.

The committee comprises representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Superintendency of Electricity, the Coordinating Body, the Dominican Electricity Transmission Company (ETED), Electricity Distribution Companies (Edenorte, Edesur, and EDE Este), private generators, and state generators Punta Catalina and Egehid.

Santos urged the media and public to rely solely on official information from the Electricity Cabinet and to avoid spreading unverified reports that could cause confusion. The blackout, which occurred last Tuesday at 1:23 p.m., was attributed to a ‘human operational error’ that caused a severe disturbance in the SENI, leading to widespread chaos in Greater Santo Domingo and other provinces. The incident disrupted mass transportation and resulted in significant losses across productive sectors.

The Dominican Republic is set to experience its first significant polar air mass of the season, with cooler-than-normal temperatures expected across much of the country starting tonight. Meteorological analyst Jean Suriel announced the development via social media, attributing the change to the influence of two cold fronts that recently impacted the United States. These fronts have caused sub-zero temperatures in several U.S. states and are now affecting the Caribbean region. Suriel highlighted that the fourth cold front has stalled north of the Caribbean, while another frontal system is advancing towards the area. Temperatures are predicted to drop notably between Saturday and Sunday, with Pico Duarte experiencing a frigid -1°C and Santo Domingo reaching a milder 20°C. Other regions, including Valle Nuevo, Constance, and Manabao, will also see significant cooling. Additionally, moderate to heavy rainfall is forecasted for the north, northeast, Central Mountain Range, northwest, and southeast due to a trough approaching the Dominican territory. This weather system is expected to bring heavy rains on Saturday afternoon, increasing the risk of flash floods. The trough’s effects will persist through Sunday and Monday, with periods of moderate rainfall continuing. Suriel reminded residents that the La Niña phenomenon is active, urging everyone to keep their umbrellas handy as November’s weather patterns unfold.

The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) has forecasted a weekend filled with heavy rainfall, isolated thunderstorms, and mild temperatures across the Dominican Republic. This weather pattern is attributed to a nearly stationary frontal system located north of the country, combined with east/northeast winds and a trough at various atmospheric levels. On Friday, the east/northeast wind and the influence of a cold front will trigger passing showers in La Altagracia, El Seibo, La Romana, and Hato Mayor. Later, localized downpours and isolated thunderstorms are expected to spread to Monte Plata, San José de Ocoa, Monseñor Nouel, La Vega, Santiago, San Juan, Santiago Rodríguez, Dajabón, and Elías Piña. By evening, rainfall will intensify, particularly in provinces along the Atlantic coast. Saturday is predicted to be the wettest day of the weekend, with unstable conditions due to the lingering cold front and an upper-atmospheric trough. Showers and thunderstorms will begin early in the morning along the Atlantic coast, escalating to moderate or heavy downpours in the afternoon, accompanied by gusty winds. The most affected areas will include Monte Cristi, Puerto Plata, Espaillat, María Trinidad Sánchez, Santiago, La Vega, La Altagracia, La Romana, Monte Plata, San Pedro de Macorís, Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal, and surrounding regions. Rainfall will taper off as night falls. On Sunday, the frontal system will weaken, transforming into a trough. While this will slightly reduce rainfall intensity, moderate downpours with thunderstorms and gusty winds will persist, particularly in El Seibo, Hato Mayor, Monte Plata, Sánchez Ramírez, San Cristóbal, and the southeast, northeast, north, and Central Mountain Range areas.

In a significant step toward promoting ecotourism and environmental conservation, the Ministry of Environment, through its Vice Ministry of Protected Areas and Biodiversity, has certified 28 young residents from Monseñor Nouel and Loma de Blanco as nature interpreter guides. The graduation ceremony was held at Lomas del Cielo Ecocamping, located near Valle Nuevo National Park, and was attended by government authorities, institutions, and community leaders. The initiative aims to strengthen sustainable tourism and biodiversity preservation in the region. The comprehensive 112-hour training program, conducted in collaboration with the Civil Defense Risk Management School, covered essential topics such as environmental interpretation, ecological education, visitor management, trail safety, and conservation techniques. Graduates expressed that the certification has transformed their empirical knowledge into professional-level expertise, enabling them to contribute more effectively to the ecotourism sector. Local leaders, including José Alberto De Jesús, president of Asoguiemonb, emphasized that ecotourism is emerging as a vital economic driver for the province, fostering both environmental and community development.