标签： Dominican Republic

Barcelona, Madrid – The Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in Barcelona played a pivotal role at the World in Progress Barcelona (WIP) 2025, an international forum orchestrated by the Prisa Group. This prestigious event convened political, diplomatic, academic, and business luminaries, including Spain’s King Felipe VI, to deliberate on pressing global challenges and sustainable solutions. Now in its second iteration, WIP Barcelona has emerged as a crucial platform for addressing geopolitical, energy, social, and environmental issues that are shaping the future of Europe and Latin America. Antonio Gómez, the Dominican Consul General, underscored the nation’s unwavering commitment to bolstering its diplomatic presence and forging strategic alliances. He highlighted that participation in such forums underscores the Dominican Republic’s steadfast dedication to democracy, cooperation, and sustainable development. The forum featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera, Josep Borrell, Matteo Renzi, Édouard Philippe, and Juan Manuel Santos, among others. The discussions spanned a wide array of topics, from energy transition and governance to inequality, organized crime, and the formulation of new social contracts. The presence of high-ranking officials from both Europe and the Americas solidified WIP Barcelona’s status as one of the most significant global events fostering cross-regional collaboration and policy dialogue.

The Dominican Republic has emerged as a global leader in combating illicit trade and adulterated alcohol, showcasing its innovative traceability and inspection system to the Brazilian Senate as a benchmark for public-private collaboration and sustainable success. This multifaceted strategy has achieved remarkable outcomes, including zero fatalities from adulterated alcohol, the confiscation of over 135 million illicit products, and a substantial decline in smuggling activities across the nation. Deputy Minister of Internal Trade Ramón Pérez Fermín, representing the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs (MICM), presented these achievements to Brazil’s Senate Committee on Social Affairs. He emphasized the coordinated efforts of various Dominican institutions, such as Customs (DGA), Public Health, Pro Consumidor, Ceccom, the National Police, and the private sector through the Association of Industries (AIRD). Central to this success is the Traffico system, a digital traceability and fiscal control platform for alcohol and tobacco, developed by Sicpa and implemented by the General Directorate of Internal Revenue (DGII). Each product is assigned a unique tax stamp with both visible and digital security features, enabling authorities and consumers to monitor its journey from production to sale. The ‘Revísame’ mobile app further empowers citizens to verify product authenticity through code scanning, fostering transparency and consumer safety. The World Bank has lauded this system as a global best practice, commending its integration of technology and institutional cooperation to combat tax evasion and safeguard consumers.

The Dominican Republic is grappling with the devastating aftermath of Tropical Storm Melissa, which has wreaked havoc across the nation. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) revealed that the storm has damaged 183 homes, displaced 915 individuals, and forced 61 people into emergency shelters. Additionally, 19 communities have been cut off due to the storm’s impact, while critical infrastructure has suffered significant damage. Over 1.1 million residents are currently without access to clean drinking water, exacerbating the crisis. The National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (INAPA) reported that 56 aqueducts were severely affected, with 53 completely non-operational and three partially functioning. This disruption has impacted more than 610,000 users. Furthermore, the CAASD suspended operations at the Isa Mana and Duey systems due to water turbidity, leaving an additional 405,000 residents in Santo Domingo Oeste, Pedro Brand, Los Alcarrizos, and parts of the National District without water. The Ministry of Public Works (MOPC) has mobilized emergency teams to clear debris, remove fallen trees, and reopen blocked roads. Landslides have disrupted key routes, including the Cabrera–Loma Alta highway in María Trinidad Sánchez and the El Manaclar road in Peravia. Cleanup efforts are ongoing in Barahona, Pedernales, San Juan, Monte Plata, and Duarte. In Greater Santo Domingo, the overflow of Bonavides Creek caused severe flooding and landslides, damaging numerous homes. Neighborhoods such as Arroyo Hondo, Villas Agrícolas, Capotillo, and Herrera witnessed evacuations and structural damage. Similar conditions were reported in San Cristóbal, Barahona, and San José de Ocoa, where rising rivers have isolated several communities.

The Jamaican government has initiated a nationwide state of emergency in hospitals and ordered the closure of schools as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches the Caribbean region. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns that the storm could intensify into a hurricane over the weekend, posing significant risks to Jamaica, Haiti, and eastern Cuba. Health Minister Christopher Tufton announced the suspension of elective surgeries and non-urgent hospital admissions to prioritize resources for potential storm-related emergencies. Families of stable patients have been urged to temporarily relocate them, while 702 healthcare professionals have been mobilized across the country to bolster emergency response efforts. The national emergency center has been fully activated in coordination with regional health authorities. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Education has suspended all in-person classes in public and private institutions to ensure the safety of students and staff. According to the NHC, Melissa is currently located 345 km southeast of Kingston and 440 km southwest of Port-au-Prince, with sustained winds of 85 km/h and moving northwest at 7 km/h. The storm is expected to bring torrential rains, powerful winds, and hazardous coastal surges. In the Dominican Republic, over 647,000 people are without drinking water due to rainfall disrupting supply systems, while Haiti remains on high alert for flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.