标签： Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo – Representative Tobías Crespo, the architect behind Law 63-17 on Mobility and Transit, has leveled serious allegations against the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (INTRANT). Crespo accused the agency of deviating from its core mission of regulating and ensuring road safety in the Dominican Republic, instead engaging in profit-driven practices. The lawmaker’s critique centers on INTRANT’s new regulation mandating the use of specific motorcycle helmets, which he claims imposes undue financial burdens on motorcyclists. According to Crespo, the helmets, priced at RD$3,500 each for both drivers and passengers, are excessively costly and appear to benefit select companies rather than prioritizing public safety. He argued that this move contradicts the spirit of Law 63-17, which was designed to enhance road safety, not to create exclusive business opportunities. Crespo urged INTRANT to focus on enforcing existing laws that improve mobility and protect citizens, rather than implementing measures that exploit the population. He also referenced Law 176-07, which mandates municipalities to safeguard public interest and prevent policies that prioritize private profit over transparency and security. While Crespo acknowledged the importance of helmets meeting international safety standards, he emphasized that regulations must not be manipulated to financially benefit a privileged few.

The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has introduced a compulsory registration system for privately owned exotic animals. Spearheaded by the Vice Ministry of Protected Areas and Biodiversity and its Biodiversity Directorate, this initiative aims to strengthen oversight, promote responsible management, and safeguard exotic species in alignment with the nation’s environmental legislation. Owners are granted a three-month window from the announcement’s publication to complete the registration process. Key requirements include submitting a formal application to the Vice Ministry, providing documentation that verifies the legal acquisition of the animals—such as prior permits—and permitting technical inspections by the Biodiversity Directorate when deemed necessary. The Ministry has issued a stern warning that unregistered exotic animals may face detention, seizure, or administrative actions under Laws 64-00 and 333-15, among other pertinent regulations. Authorities have urged public cooperation, highlighting its critical role in preserving biodiversity and ensuring the responsible stewardship of exotic species across the country.

Santo Domingo.- On World Children’s Day, the Dominican Republic confronts a pressing crisis of violence against minors, as highlighted by a surge in tragic incidents reported throughout 2025. While the nation has made strides in areas like breastfeeding, maternal care, and curbing child marriage, UNICEF has raised alarms over escalating issues in violent discipline and child protection, calling for immediate governmental intervention. Recent UNICEF statistics reveal a troubling rise in violent discipline against children aged 1 to 14, increasing from 62.9% to 63.5%, indicating deteriorating conditions within households. This year has also witnessed a series of high-profile cases involving extreme violence, including kidnappings, abuse, and homicides of children as young as one year old across provinces such as Santo Domingo, La Romana, and Dajabón. UNICEF emphasizes that these incidents are not isolated but rather indicative of systemic failures in prevention, protection, and family support systems. The organization urges the government to prioritize comprehensive measures to safeguard children and address the root causes of these pervasive issues.

The Santo Domingo Metro experienced two significant technical disruptions on Wednesday, causing partial service halts on Lines 1 and 2. The first incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. at the María Montez station on Line 2, leading to a suspension of operations for over two hours. According to the Office for the Reorganization of Transport (OPRET), service was restored by 9:37 a.m. The disruption was attributed to a malfunctioning track switch, which impacted train arrivals and departures at the station. Later in the day, a second failure occurred shortly after 6:00 p.m. on Line 1, affecting the Mamá Tingó–Hermanas Mirabal section in Villa Mella. Operations were halted for more than an hour, with service resuming at 7:20 p.m. OPRET did not disclose the cause of this incident. Despite delays and overcrowding, authorities assured the public that neither event posed any safety risks to passengers. In response to the disruptions, OPRET Director Jhael Isa Tavárez announced the implementation of a comprehensive maintenance strategy, combining preventive, corrective, and predictive measures. This initiative is part of the ongoing construction of Line 2C. Tavárez clarified that the morning breakdown was not electrical but resulted from a loose connection caused by vibrations from nearby construction activities at María Montez.