标签： Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant legislative advancement, President Luis Abinader has officially enacted Law 97-25, a comprehensive reform of the nation’s Criminal Procedure Code. The legislation, which received final approval from the Senate, represents a major step in modernizing the Dominican Republic’s judicial framework to align with contemporary democratic standards.

According to Antoliano Peralta Romero, the Executive Branch’s legal advisor, the updated code integrates critical jurisprudence from both the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court. The reforms are designed to transform the criminal process into a more agile and rights-centric system, reinforcing the social and democratic rule of law. The law is scheduled for publication in the Official Gazette and will be implemented in a phased manner, taking effect on Tuesday in the National District and expanding nationwide on Wednesday.

The overhaul introduces a suite of modern conflict-resolution mechanisms. These include restorative justice programs, opportunity criteria, plea bargaining, conciliation, abbreviated procedures, and the conditional suspension of proceedings, applicable to offenses carrying sentences of up to five years. The legislation significantly bolsters the right to defense and enhances protective measures for vulnerable populations. It also provides precise definitions for when the rights of individuals under investigation are activated, including during summons and asset freezing procedures.

Furthermore, the reformed code establishes transparent guidelines for arrests and the application of coercive measures, mandating stricter judicial oversight. It imposes clear maximum timeframes for judicial processes: four years for ordinary cases and five years for those deemed complex. In a move to streamline appeals, the reform abolishes the prerequisite of a ‘new trial,’ empowering higher courts to conduct proceedings directly under established trial rules.

This transformative reform is the product of an extensive collaborative effort involving legislators, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, the Judiciary, the Executive Branch’s Legal Counsel, and key representatives from the legal sector. This initiative, coupled with recent enactments like the Law on Extinction of Ownership and the new Penal Code, signifies a concerted push to establish a more modern, humane, and efficient criminal justice system in the Dominican Republic.

SANTO DOMINGO – In a display of national unity and appreciation for military service, President Luis Abinader participated in a significant holiday gathering with over 2,500 soldiers this Sunday. The event, a traditional Christmas luncheon held at the 16 de Agosto Military Camp, served as a platform for the national leader to commend the Armed Forces for their unwavering commitment to the nation.

Addressing the assembled troops, President Abinader articulated his profound pride in the institution, characterizing the military’s service as the ultimate embodiment of loyalty to the Republic. He placed special emphasis on the core values of integrity and dedication, describing them as the most valuable legacy that service members can impart to future generations of Dominicans.

The ceremony transcended mere seasonal festivities, doubling as a formal reaffirmation of the administration’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of military personnel and their families. Looking forward, President Abinader concluded his address by extending his heartfelt wishes for the coming year, expressing optimism for continued national progress, success, and health for both the Army and the Dominican Republic throughout 2026.

SANTO DOMINGO – In a decisive move against systemic corruption, Dominican President Luis Abinader has mobilized the National Health Insurance (Senasa) as a civil plaintiff to reclaim billions of pesos allegedly embezzled through an elaborate fraud scheme. The announcement came Sunday following the unveiling of Operation Cobra, a sweeping prosecutorial initiative targeting corruption networks within the public health system.

The investigation centers on former Senasa director Santiago Hazim and multiple associates who allegedly orchestrated a sophisticated embezzlement operation. President Abinader revealed that his administration initiated an immediate internal probe upon detecting preliminary signs of irregularities, which subsequently uncovered compelling evidence of serious corruption within the state health insurer.

“I have instructed that every last peso stolen be recovered,” Abinader declared, emphasizing his commitment to applying “the full weight of the law” against those who defraud the state. The president expressed satisfaction that justice is now pursuing the implicated individuals while acknowledging additional suspects remain under scrutiny.

Operation Cobra has already yielded eight arrests, including former director Santiago Marcelo F. Hazim Albainy and associates Gustavo Enrique Messina Cruz, Germán Rafael Robles Quiñones, Francisco Iván Minaya Pérez, Eduardo Read Estrella, Cinty Acosta Sención, Ramón Alan Speakler Mateo, and Ada Ledesma Ubiera. The Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the investigation remains active, with additional individuals and corporations potentially facing charges as evidence develops.

The case represents one of the most significant corruption prosecutions in recent Dominican history, demonstrating the administration’s strengthened approach to combating graft within public institutions. Legal experts suggest the civil plaintiff strategy could establish important precedents for recovering stolen public assets through judicial channels.

In a significant development within the Dominican Republic’s ongoing corruption investigation, former National Health Insurance (Senasa) director Santiago Hazín was taken into custody on Saturday evening. His legal counsel, Attorney Miguel Valerio, confirmed the arrest and indicated that judicial authorities will determine coercive measures within the next 48-hour period.

Valerio stated that the defense team maintains a reserved position pending formal presentation of the prosecution’s coercion request. “We await the coercive measure filing within the established 48-hour window, at which juncture we shall articulate our definitive stance,” the attorney declared.

The legal representative emphasized his client’s cooperative posture throughout the investigative process, noting that Hazín underwent extensive questioning for approximately five hours prior to his detention. Valerio reiterated that the former official has consistently demonstrated willingness to collaborate with judicial authorities, asserting, “My client has perpetually remained at the disposal of the justice system.”

This arrest occurs within the broader context of the Senasa scandal that has captivated national attention. Multiple sectors have raised alarms regarding administrative deficiencies, delayed payments, and controversial operational determinations that precipitated widespread concern across the healthcare ecosystem. Political representatives, medical associations, and civil society organizations have collectively highlighted deteriorating management practices, prompting opposition forces to demand comprehensive audits and allege potential irregularities.

Despite governmental assurances regarding institutional stability, grievances concerning service interruptions and payment delays intensified public discourse, ultimately compelling official action. The unfolding situation triggered initiated audits, managerial restructuring, and a formal prosecutorial investigation into contractual arrangements between Senasa and various state-affiliated entities.

While implicated corporations have defended their operational legality, and former officials have sought to justify their decisions, allegations of fund misappropriation and supervisory body interventions have transformed this case into one of the most closely monitored proceedings in the public sector. The Attorney General’s Office has indicated additional investigative actions are anticipated as the probe continues to evolve.