标签： Dominican Republic

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have successfully concluded a search operation for a missing adolescent, culminating in the youth’s safe return to family custody. The National Police’s Department of Search for Missing Persons (Dicrim) confirmed the successful resolution of the case involving a 13-year-old who had been unaccounted for since February 4, 2026.

Law enforcement officials located the minor on the morning of February 7, 2026, at a private residence in the La Guáyiga sector of Santo Domingo Oeste municipality. The identity of the teenager remains protected under legal confidentiality provisions standard for juvenile cases.

Police investigation revealed that the youth had voluntarily remained with acquaintances and relatives during the absence from home. The operation was initiated following a formal complaint filed by the adolescent’s mother, which enabled investigators to track the individual’s whereabouts through systematic follow-up procedures.

Initial assessments confirmed the teenager’s physical and mental wellbeing upon discovery. The case has been officially closed after the minor was transferred to familial guardians in accordance with standard protective protocols.

The National Police emphasized their ongoing dedication to handling missing persons cases with expediency and professional competence, particularly those involving minors. The institution reaffirmed its protocol of maintaining sensitivity while ensuring comprehensive protection and rights preservation for vulnerable populations during such operations.

The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) has escalated its national alert system in response to an advancing cold front affecting multiple regions. Four provinces—Espaillat, María Trinidad Sánchez, Samaná, and Hato Mayor—have been placed under official green alert status due to anticipated hazardous weather conditions.

According to COE protocols, a green alert signifies that meteorological characteristics predict a potentially dangerous event for the population, whether partial or comprehensive in scope. This precautionary measure comes as the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) forecasts continued scattered showers throughout the day across seventeen provinces, including Puerto Plata, Hermanas Mirabal, Monte Plata, and Greater Santo Domingo.

Indomet has issued specific warnings to maritime operators, advising fragile and small-to-medium-sized vessels to exercise extreme caution along coastal perimeters. The agency strongly recommends against sea ventures due to prevailing strong winds and abnormal wave patterns. The meteorological institute emphasizes that these conditions pose significant risks to coastal navigation and marine activities.

The coordinated response between emergency management and meteorological agencies highlights the government’s proactive approach to weather-related threats. The alert system activation enables local authorities to implement preventive measures and mobilize resources in vulnerable areas, potentially mitigating the impact of the ongoing weather phenomenon on communities and economic activities.

Authorities in San Francisco de Macorís have launched a comprehensive operation targeting the proliferation of electric skateboard scooters following growing public safety concerns. The National Police initiative responds to widespread complaints about aggressive riding behavior and unauthorized commercial operations involving these vehicles.

The crackdown comes after numerous citizens and parents expressed alarm over the predominant use of these scooters by minors and the absence of proper permits among businesses renting or selling them. Mayor Alex Díaz has publicly endorsed the police action, characterizing the situation as ‘a headache for parents and the community.’

Díaz issued stern warnings to both merchants and parents involved in the scooter trade. He emphasized that businesses operating without municipal authorization must immediately cease operations or face compulsory closure. The mayor specifically highlighted the danger these unregulated vehicles pose to children and the community at large.

Furthermore, Díaz addressed parental responsibility, stating that adults who purchase or rent these scooters for minors would be held fully accountable under extended liability provisions. He characterized such actions as irresponsible and warned that both vehicle owners and facilitating parents would face legal consequences.

The municipal government insists that proper planning and regulatory order must be established, noting that the current situation developed without coordination with local authorities. The administration has made clear that businesses operating without proper permits will be forcibly closed if they fail to comply voluntarily.

PUERTO PLATA – A devastating multi-vehicle collision erupted Friday evening along the Montellano-Sosúa highway, adjacent to General Gregorio Luperón International Airport, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. The deceased has been identified as Luis Maldonado, 49, a Dominican-born U.S. citizen who perished at the scene from traumatic impact injuries.

Emergency responders transported two injured women, Jessica María Núñez and Daliza Mercedes Espinal, to medical facilities for urgent treatment. Authorities confirmed both survivors received immediate attention following the crash.

The accident involved three vehicles: a Grand Cherokee SUV (license plate G557313) carrying Maldonado, a Honda CR-V (G724999), and a Hyundai sedan (A755895). Notably, Hyundai driver Samuel Jiménez Zapete emerged physically unscathed from the wreckage.

According to the General Directorate of Traffic Safety and Land Transportation (DIGESETT), investigators are actively reconstructing the sequence of events that led to this high-impact triple collision. The crash has reignited urgent concerns about roadway safety measures along this perpetually congested transit corridor in Puerto Plata province, where traffic volumes consistently challenge infrastructure capabilities.

SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant push to combat energy theft and improve system reliability, the Eastern Electricity Distribution Company (Edeeste) has announced the normalization of service for 20,950 customers and the elimination of 2,888 illegal direct connections within its service area during January.

The utility’s Loss Management Directorate was central to this effort, executing a sweeping operational campaign that included 34,524 technical and commercial inspections. These targeted actions were designed to regularize power supplies and reclaim lost energy, forming a core part of Edeeste’s broader strategy to enhance the integrity of its distribution network.

Complementing these internal efforts, the company also successfully normalized service for an additional 1,635 customers through mini-projects funded with support from international cooperation organizations.

The comprehensive January initiative significantly bolstered the technical and commercial oversight of the entire distribution system. Key activities addressed a spectrum of irregularities, from the elimination of sub-metering (under-registration of consumption) to the direct correction of unauthorized power supplies.

The crackdown also saw a robust legal response, with 7,057 formal reports of irregularities filed. This procedural step was crucial for strengthening the legal foundation required to correct consumption patterns and recover revenue from unregistered energy use.

The operational blitz yielded substantial financial and operational benefits. Edeeste estimates that the inspections facilitated the recovery of 593,232 kWh of energy, a critical gain that directly supports the company’s financial sustainability and its ability to invest in reliable service.

Reiterating its commitment to operational efficiency and legality, Edeeste emphasized that these actions are fundamental to providing a reliable and equitable electricity service for all its users. The company issued a public appeal, urging communities to shun illegal connections, which jeopardize system stability, pose serious public safety risks, and hinder national development.

Looking ahead, Edeeste pledged to continue its collaborative work with government authorities, community leaders, and consumers to foster a culture of responsible energy consumption, legal connections, and efficiency—cornerstones of a modern and sustainable electrical system for the Dominican Republic.

SANTO DOMINGO EAST — A high-profile criminal suspect wanted for multiple homicides and violent crimes was fatally wounded during an armed confrontation with specialized police units in the Los Frailes sector. The incident occurred during a targeted operation conducted by the Central Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DICRIM) to apprehend the individual known by the alias “Tulile Palomería.”

The suspect, who had been evading authorities through multiple arrest warrants, succumbed to gunshot injuries while receiving emergency medical treatment at Dr. Darío Contreras Traumatological Hospital. Preliminary reports indicate the confrontation erupted when DICRIM patrol units were conducting investigative operations to locate the wanted individual.

Court documents reveal Palomería faced three outstanding arrest warrants: Case No. 2025-AJ00502698 (August 11, 2025) for firearm assault against a civilian; Case No. 2025-AJ0058460 (September 1, 2025) for homicide; and Case No. 2026-AJ0002783 (January 13, 2026) for an additional murder in Pedro Brand municipality.

According to official police reports, the incident unfolded along José Francisco Peña Gómez Street near Progreso Street. The suspect allegedly initiated gunfire upon recognizing police presence, forcing officers to return fire in self-defense. The exchange resulted in critical injuries to Palomería, who was subsequently transported to medical facilities where he was pronounced dead.

Forensic teams from the Scientific Police secured substantial evidence from the scene, including a 9mm Model 75 pistol (serial F9225), two spent cartridge casings, a National Police-issued ballistic vest, and three mobile devices. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to process evidence and witness statements.