标签： Dominican Republic

The tragic death of Claire Paula Cullen, a 40-year-old Irish woman, has sent shockwaves through her family and the community. Cullen was fatally struck by a vehicle on George Washington Avenue in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on the morning of November 10, 2025. The incident occurred as she was crossing the avenue, en route to attend her brother’s wedding to Erika Peña, which was scheduled for the same day. Instead of a joyous celebration, the day turned into a heart-wrenching tragedy. The driver, identified as Héctor Julio Taveras Báez, fled the scene immediately after the collision, leaving Cullen fatally injured. Her family has since expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation, noting that her personal belongings have yet to be returned by authorities. As they prepare to repatriate her body to Ireland for burial, the family is demanding justice and accountability, emphasizing that Cullen’s young son has been left orphaned by this devastating event. They are urging Dominican officials to ensure that the case is thoroughly investigated and that the perpetrator is held responsible.

In a groundbreaking event held at the Funglode Auditorium in Santo Domingo, the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (Funglode) unveiled a comprehensive study titled ‘Femicides in the Dominican Republic: X-ray of Femicidal Violence 2016–2024.’ The report, presented by the Dominican Political Observatory (OPD) under the leadership of Nathanael Concepción, delves into nearly a decade of data on gender-based killings in the country. Former President and Funglode President Dr. Leonel Fernández underscored the critical importance of this research in shaping effective public policies, describing the findings as ‘an urgent call to action and collective responsibility of the State and society.’

The study, coordinated by researcher Flor Esmirna Batista Polo, revealed alarming statistics: 706 femicides were recorded between 2016 and 2024, with victims spanning all age groups, from infants to elderly women. In 2024 alone, 73 cases were reported, 89% of which were classified as intimate partner femicides, leaving 77 children orphaned. The data also highlighted the methods of violence, with 53% of the murders committed using bladed weapons and 37% involving firearms. Additionally, 18 cases ended in femicide-suicides, a troubling trend on the rise. Batista Polo emphasized that the persistence of these figures indicates a failure of current policies to bring about structural change.

A panel discussion titled ‘Where Are We and Where Are We Going?’ followed the presentation, featuring representatives from government, academia, and civil society, including Rosalba Ramos, Juliana O’Neal, Ana Iris Linares, Susi Aquino Grauteraux, and Patricia Liranzo. The panelists unanimously called for enhanced institutional coordination, improved prevention strategies, and educational initiatives promoting equality and respect. Key proposals included the development of a georeferenced risk prediction system, early warning protocols, and ongoing training for justice and security personnel.

The event concluded with a resounding call to action, urging stronger national efforts to prevent, address, and penalize gender violence. Attendees were encouraged to utilize existing support services, such as the Ministry of Women (212), 911 Emergencies, and Life Line (809-200-1202), to seek help and report incidents.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The Dominican Judiciary has finalized its groundbreaking Ten-Year Plan, titled “Justice of the Future 2034,” marking a significant milestone in the nation’s judicial reform efforts. The final document was officially presented to stakeholders during a high-profile ceremony on Wednesday, presided over by President Luis Abinader and Chief Justice Henry Molina at Casa San Pablo. The event drew over 3,000 participants, including Supreme Court justices, prosecutors, public defenders, legislators, business leaders, and civil society representatives, all of whom played a pivotal role in this collaborative strategic planning initiative. Chief Justice Molina outlined the plan’s ambitious goals, which include enhancing accessibility, transparency, reliability, and citizen-centered service within the justice system. The official launch is set for November 19 at 8:00 p.m., broadcasted via the Judicial Branch’s YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook channels. Molina emphasized that the plan was developed using the scenario planning methodology, a first for the Dominican Republic, previously implemented in countries like South Africa and Colombia. He described the initiative as “not merely a technical exercise but an ethical, institutional, and strategic act.” The Justice of the Future 2034 Plan aims to address systemic issues such as judicial delays, geographical and economic barriers, and the exclusion of vulnerable groups, fostering a more inclusive and participatory justice system. President Abinader lauded the plan as a national commitment and a cornerstone of democratic strengthening, stating, “This plan is not just a Judiciary initiative; it’s a commitment to a justice system that transforms lives and strengthens citizen confidence.”

Santo Domingo – The Frente Amplio has issued a stern call for an immediate and transparent investigation into the widespread blackout that plunged the Dominican Republic into darkness on Monday afternoon. The outage, triggered by a failure at the Electricity Transmission Company (ETED) substation in San Pedro de Macorís, cascaded into a complete shutdown of all generating plants, including Punta Catalina. This incident has once again highlighted the fragility of the nation’s power grid. Party leader María Teresa Cabrera denounced the collapse as ‘unacceptable,’ emphasizing that a single substation failure should not have the capacity to cripple the entire system. She urged authorities to act with ‘absolute transparency’ and ensure accountability for those responsible. The Frente Amplio underscored the severe economic repercussions of such blackouts, which disrupt hospitals, industries, and the daily lives of millions. The organization demanded that the Government, ETED, the Superintendency of Electricity, and the Ministry of Energy and Mines provide a clear public report and develop an emergency plan to fortify the transmission network. They argued that the incident should not be dismissed as a mere technical failure but rather seen as a symptom of deeper structural issues, including poor oversight, inadequate planning, and insufficient public investment in the national energy system.

Santo Domingo witnessed a significant milestone on Tuesday as Carolina Mejía, Mayor of the National District, officially opened the newly transformed Taíno Park in Los Cacicazgos. This revitalized public space, designed to honor the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games set for 2026, has been reimagined from a basic green area into a multifunctional community hub. The park now boasts an outdoor gym, a children’s playground, a dedicated dog park, walking paths, an amphitheater for cultural events, energy-efficient LED lighting, and a commemorative sculpture celebrating José Martí, Máximo Gómez, and Chief Hatuey—iconic figures symbolizing freedom and unity across the Antilles.

Port-au-Prince, Haiti, is grappling with a severe electricity crisis as widespread sabotage and the prolonged closure of the country’s primary hydroelectric plant have severely disrupted the power supply. The state electricity company, Électricité d’Haïti (EDH), announced on Tuesday that the crisis has been exacerbated by the unscheduled shutdown of the Péligre hydroelectric plant, which has been non-operational since June 17 when five transmission towers were sabotaged. Additionally, the private energy provider E-Power has reduced its output to less than 10 megawatts, only one-third of its usual capacity, due to technical difficulties. The combined impact of these issues has left much of the capital with limited or no electricity. EDH has acknowledged the grid’s instability, attributing it to the Péligre plant’s closure and insufficient generator capacity, which has necessitated drastic power rationing measures. The company has vowed to work ‘tirelessly’ to restore services and has called on citizens to remain patient as repair and logistical efforts continue.

Las Américas International Airport (AILA) in Santo Domingo experienced a brief disruption on Tuesday afternoon, November 11, when smoke was detected in the arrivals corridor of Terminal B. The incident prompted an immediate evacuation of passengers and staff as a precautionary measure. Emergency teams swiftly responded to the situation, identifying the source of the smoke as a malfunctioning lamp within an air conditioning unit. The smoke had circulated through the airport’s ventilation system, causing concern among travelers and personnel. Authorities confirmed that no fire had occurred, and there were no injuries or material damages reported. Once the issue was resolved, normal operations resumed without delays or disruptions to domestic or international flights. Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom), the airport’s operator, reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and commended the rapid response of its emergency teams. The incident highlighted the importance of robust safety protocols in maintaining smooth airport operations.