标签： Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican Republic has launched an ambitious educational infrastructure initiative titled “Navidad en las Aulas 24/7” (Christmas in the Classrooms 24/7), allocating over RD$300 million to execute critical maintenance across more than 250 schools nationwide during the holiday recess. The program, spearheaded by the Education Infrastructure Directorate, is strategically timed to leverage the absence of students and faculty, thereby eliminating disruptions to the academic calendar.

Scheduled to commence on December 11 in the Los Mina sector of Santo Domingo Este, the operation will mobilize dozens of specialized work brigades throughout the Christmas, New Year, and Three Kings Day vacation period. Under the leadership of Director Roberto Herrera and with coordinated support from the Ministry of Education and municipal authorities, the initiative will focus on comprehensive upgrades including interior and exterior painting, electrical system overhauls, plumbing repairs, asphalt restoration, and overall campus beautification. The primary objective is to ensure all targeted institutions reopen in January as safer, more functional, and aesthetically improved learning environments.

This holiday maintenance drive represents a significant phase in a broader governmental strategy to revitalize public education infrastructure. Officials highlighted that this effort builds upon substantial recent progress, noting that over 800 schools have been renovated or upgraded within the past eight months. Looking further ahead, the administration has set a target to complete 2,000 new classrooms by the conclusion of 2025. To bolster the logistical capacity of such expansive projects, the program has been reinforced with 50 new service vehicles, enhancing operational mobility to support an educational community encompassing more than 2 million students and 100,000 teachers.

Endorsed by President Luis Abinader, the ’24/7′ model is characterized by authorities as a strategic investment in the nation’s future. The concentrated, round-the-clock holiday work schedule is designed to maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This initiative stands as a testament to the government’s deepened commitment to fortifying the foundational pillars of public education and systematically elevating the quality of classroom conditions across the Dominican Republic.

SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican Republic is significantly scaling up its national child welfare initiatives through the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI). Current data reveals the institution is providing critical support to more than 1,700 at-risk minors throughout the country. This protective network is facilitated through a collaborative model, with 1,206 children placed in the care of vetted non-profit organizations and another 525 residing in 11 state-administered transition homes.

The operational backbone of this effort includes 69 residential programs, 59 of which benefit from direct government financial backing. Demonstrating a strong fiscal commitment, CONANI allocated over RD$166.8 million to its non-profit partners in the first ten months of 2025. In a move to further amplify its impact, a substantial budget augmentation of RD$186 million is slated for 2026. These funds are designated to enhance key service areas including child protection mechanisms, nutritional aid, medical services, educational access, and essential psychosocial support.

Upon entry into CONANI’s system, each child is the subject of an intensive, multi-disciplinary evaluation conducted within a critical 72-hour window. This assessment covers health status, psychological well-being, social circumstances, and educational level, forming the basis for a highly individualized care plan. The transition homes are meticulously organized, grouping children by age, gender, and specific case profile to ensure a supportive environment. A core policy prioritizes keeping sibling groups together, while specialized units cater to victims of severe trauma, abuse, human trafficking, and cases of extreme vulnerability.

Moving beyond basic sustenance, CONANI’s framework emphasizes holistic development and future readiness. Educational integration is a primary focus, with 284 of the 525 youth in state care currently enrolled in formal schooling. This educational spectrum encompasses early childhood programs, standard K-12 education, and tailored special education curricula. For adolescents aged 14 and older, the council provides extensive vocational training to equip them with marketable skills. Courses in barbering, pastry arts, information technology, culinary arts, and English language are offered, frequently taught by dedicated volunteers from the community, paving the way for sustainable independence.

Santo Domingo has unveiled plans for a groundbreaking public transportation initiative set to launch in early 2026. The government announced a new electric bus route specifically designed to serve the historic Ciudad Colonial district, marking a significant step in urban mobility enhancement and heritage area revitalization.

The innovative transit solution will deploy a fleet of five fully electric buses along a 12.5-kilometer route featuring approximately 30 strategically placed stops. Sixteen stops will be situated within the historic zone’s core, while 14 additional stops will connect surrounding areas. Each vehicle incorporates universal design principles with capacity for 22 passengers, dedicated wheelchair spaces, and priority seating for elderly and mobility-impaired individuals.

This new service will establish crucial connectivity between Ciudad Colonial and the Plaza de la Cultura while integrating seamlessly with Santo Domingo’s existing public transit network, including direct links to Metro Line 1 for broader metropolitan access. Operational management will be shared between local bus operators and the national transit authority.

Government officials emphasize multiple anticipated benefits including enhanced accessibility to the historic center, reduced traffic congestion, decreased air and noise pollution, and improved mobility options for both residents and tourists. In a notable commitment to gender equity, the pilot project will feature an all-female driving workforce—surpassing initial targets of 60% female representation. All operators have received specialized eco-driving training.

The transportation initiative forms part of comprehensive infrastructure rehabilitation efforts currently underway in the historic district, encompassing heritage facade restoration, street and public space renovations, and social housing improvements.

A Dominican court has mandated psychiatric intervention and financial guarantees for a man who issued violent threats against President Luis Abinader in a widely circulated social media video. The Judicial District of El Seibo delivered the ruling on Wednesday following a preliminary hearing that prioritized the defendant’s mental health assessment.

Identified as Héctor Julio Mercedes Rodríguez, the individual was taken into custody last Friday after posting a video that allegedly showed him brandishing a high-caliber weapon while making explicit threats against the nation’s leader. The footage rapidly gained traction across digital platforms, prompting immediate law enforcement response.

The court’s disposition requires Mercedes Rodríguez to undergo a six-month psychiatric treatment program at Teófilo Hernández Provincial Hospital. Additionally, he must post bond amounting to RD$100,000 (approximately US$1,700) and remain under continuous family supervision throughout his therapeutic regimen.

Legal representative Alberto Mercedes Ruiz presented medical documentation indicating his client has battled a degenerative condition since 2022, resulting in significant anxiety and psychological disturbances. The defense successfully argued that these mitigating circumstances warranted rehabilitative measures rather than incarceration.

While the Public Prosecutor’s Office maintains an active investigation, the judicial outcome demonstrates an attempt to balance public safety concerns with appropriate mental health considerations. The accused currently remains at liberty under strict conditions requiring periodic medical evaluations and ongoing judicial monitoring as proceedings continue.

A significant gas explosion severely shook the Intempo residential tower in Santo Domingo’s Villa Marina sector on Wednesday evening, resulting in multiple casualties and a full-scale emergency response. The incident, occurring at approximately 8:00 p.m. local time, sent shockwaves through the surrounding neighborhood and prompted immediate evacuation protocols.

Preliminary investigations by fire authorities indicate a kitchen gas leak within one apartment unit as the probable cause, though official forensic analysis remains ongoing. Emergency medical services confirmed at least five individuals sustained injuries, with two victims suffering critical burns requiring urgent hospitalization. Initial media reports had underestimated the casualty count at three.

Eyewitness accounts depicted chaotic scenes as residents fled the building while emergency crews including police, firefighters, and paramedics secured the perimeter. Multiple neighbors reported detecting gas odors hours before the detonation, raising questions about preventive measures.

The explosion’s force generated substantial structural concerns, leading authorities to temporarily close the residential complex for comprehensive safety evaluations. The incident has ignited community demands for enhanced gas safety regulations in modern residential developments, particularly in newer constructions like the Intempo building.

Fire department officials continue investigating whether the accident resulted from infrastructure failures, improper maintenance, or human error, with final conclusions pending detailed examination.