标签： Dominican Republic

In a controversial move that has sparked outrage, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported Alejandro Juárez-Castillo, a former employee of the Trump Organization, despite his ongoing legal proceedings in an immigration court. Juárez-Castillo, who had worked for the Trump family for a decade and maintained a personal friendship with Eric Trump, was arrested just days before his scheduled hearing in New York. Shortly after, he was sent to Matamoros, Mexico, his country of origin, without the opportunity to present his case in court. His attorney, Aníbal Romero, condemned the action as a blatant violation of due process and a breach of constitutional rights. Romero revealed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acknowledged the error and pledged to return Juárez-Castillo to the U.S., but no concrete steps have been taken yet. Juárez-Castillo, a father of three and a U.S. Marine’s parent, had been living in the U.S. for 25 years and was in the process of applying for asylum. Romero emphasized that while immigration authorities have the right to detain individuals, they must follow legal procedures, including judicial oversight for deportation orders. The case highlights broader concerns about ICE’s aggressive deportation agenda, which aims for 3,000 deportations daily, potentially leading to systemic errors and collateral damage. Despite Juárez-Castillo’s close ties to the Trump family, his deportation underscores the indiscriminate nature of current immigration enforcement practices. A DHS official statement on the matter remains pending.

The Emergency Operations Center (COE) has prolonged weather alerts across the country this Saturday in response to an active tropical wave expected to bring intense rainfall. Juan Manuel Méndez, the director of COE, emphasized the need for vigilance, stating that the public ‘cannot be careless’ given the forecasted atmospheric conditions. San José de Ocoa remains under a red alert, while Monte Plata, La Altagracia, the National District, San Cristóbal, Peravia, La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, and Santo Domingo are on yellow alert. Additionally, multiple provinces, including Monseñor Nouel, Independencia, Puerto Plata, and Santiago Rodríguez, are under green alert. The agency predicts scattered showers along the Atlantic coast, northeast, and southeast regions in the morning, with isolated showers along the south coast. By midday, rainfall is expected to intensify into moderate to heavy downpours, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds, particularly in Santo Domingo, Monte Plata, San Pedro de Macorís, La Altagracia, Sánchez Ramírez, Monseñor Nouel, La Vega, San Cristóbal, Duarte, northern Azua, southern Santiago, Santiago Rodríguez, Dajabón, Valverde, Montecristi, Independencia, and Elías Piña. These conditions are attributed to a combination of a trough and the approaching tropical wave.

A tropical wave, coupled with a trough, is set to bring moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds across several provinces in the Dominican Republic today. Affected regions include María Trinidad Sánchez, Samaná, Hato Mayor, La Altagracia, La Romana, El Seibo, San Pedro de Macorís, Monte Plata, Sánchez Ramírez, and Santo Domingo. The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) has also indicated that the precipitation will extend to San Cristóbal, San José de Ocoa, Santiago, La Vega, Duarte, Monseñor Nouel, Azua, Elías Piña, Dajabón, Independencia, and Bahoruco, primarily during the morning and afternoon hours. In the National District, increased cloudiness and isolated showers are expected. Temperatures are forecasted to remain hot, ranging from a minimum of 21°C to 23°C and a maximum of 31°C to 33°C. Indomet has advised operators of fragile, small, and medium-sized vessels to exercise caution near coastal areas due to abnormal winds and waves, avoiding venturing out to sea. The weather conditions are expected to persist into tomorrow, with downpours and thunderstorms likely in towns along the southern coast. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) has issued alerts for 19 provinces, warning of potential urban and rural flooding, overflowing rivers, streams, and ravines, as well as landslides, particularly in vulnerable areas. San José de Ocoa remains on red alert, Pedravia and Monte Plata are on yellow alert, while Independencia, Pedernales, Bahoruco, Barahona, San Juan, Azua, San Cristóbal, Puerto Plata, Santiago, Monseñor Nouel, Duarte, San Pedro de Macorís, La Romana, La Altagracia, Santo Domingo, and the National District are on green alert.

President Luis Abinader conducted an extensive tour of the provinces of San José de Ocoa and Barahona on Friday to evaluate the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. During his visit, he emphasized the government’s commitment to providing immediate relief and long-term solutions for affected families, agricultural producers, and local economies. Abinader assured that no individual or sector would be overlooked, with efforts focused on both recovery and mitigating future vulnerabilities.

In Barahona, the president convened a working group meeting with local authorities, relief agencies, community leaders, and media representatives. He highlighted the severe impact of prolonged rains on agriculture, rural infrastructure, and commerce in the Enriquillo region. A comprehensive support plan was outlined, involving direct aid to municipalities and producers, with collaboration from the Church and civil society to ensure transparency and efficiency.

Abinader announced specific measures, including non-refundable contributions and loans from the Agricultural Bank for coffee producers in Polo, the hardest-hit area. Housing assistance will be provided through the Presidential Directorate of Social Assistance for minor damages, while the Ministry of Housing and Construction will address more severe cases. The president stressed that homes in vulnerable zones would not be rebuilt to prevent future risks.

Infrastructure repairs are already underway, with the Ministry of Agriculture focusing on agricultural roads and the Ministry of Public Works handling major transit routes. Abinader pledged to extend recovery efforts to all provinces under red alert, ensuring comprehensive support across affected regions.

In San José de Ocoa, the president met with local authorities to assess agricultural and infrastructure damage. He ordered detailed surveys to facilitate targeted aid and soft loans, emphasizing transparency in resource allocation. Weekly meetings will monitor progress, with a focus on both immediate recovery and preventive measures.

Local officials, including Barahona Governor Oneida Catalina Féliz Medina, praised the president’s hands-on approach and commitment to addressing community needs. Mayors of affected municipalities requested additional support for infrastructure projects, including ravine conditioning, bridge reconstruction, and road repairs.

President Abinader was accompanied by key officials, including Minister Without Portfolio Deligne Ascención and Director of Social Assistance Edgar Féliz, underscoring the government’s coordinated response to the crisis.

In a landmark meeting at the National Palace, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic welcomed a delegation from the Dominican Association of Tourism Press (Adompretur), led by its president, journalist Sarah Hernández. The session, described as highly productive, centered on advancing the Dominican tourism sector, with the President pledging full support for the creation of the Dominican Tourism Museum, a project spearheaded by Adompretur’s executive board. The museum aims to honor the nation’s tourism pioneers and recognize contributions from both public and private sectors that have driven the industry’s growth. Following the meeting, a dedicated Adompretur commission is set to meet with Carlos Andújar, Director General of Museums, to explore potential sites for the museum. Additionally, President Abinader agreed to formally include Adompretur in the Tourism Cabinet, acknowledging the critical role of specialized media in disseminating sector-related policies and achievements. Hernández emphasized the importance of tourism journalists in promoting policies that fuel the country’s economic, cultural, and social development. The President also expressed interest in Adompretur’s involvement in future projects focused on tourism promotion, sustainability, and education. The meeting concluded with Adompretur presenting President Abinader with a plaque recognizing his contributions to the sector. Hernández praised the President’s open-door policy and reaffirmed Adompretur’s commitment to responsible journalism that supports sustainable and inclusive tourism growth.