标签： Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – A 19-year-old French national was apprehended at Las Américas International Airport (AILA-JFPG) following the discovery of ingested cocaine. The arrest was executed by the National Directorate of Drug Control (DNCD) and the Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESAC) during a coordinated inspection with the Public Ministry. After standard immigration protocols, anomalies were detected in his digestive system. He was subsequently transported to the Central Hospital of the Armed Forces, where he expelled 141 small latex-wrapped packets of cocaine, weighing a total of 1.06 kilograms, as confirmed by the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF). The individual is now under the custody of the Santo Domingo Public Prosecutor’s Office and will be prosecuted under Law 50-88, which governs drugs and controlled substances. Authorities are delving deeper into the case, suspecting it to be part of an extensive international drug trafficking network that employs ‘mules’ from various countries to transport narcotics to the United States and Europe.

The Dominican Republic is bracing for severe weather conditions as the Emergency Operations Center (COE) elevated the alert level for 21 provinces, including the National District, on Monday. This precautionary measure comes in response to an active tropical wave associated with a low-pressure system situated several hundred kilometers south of Puerto Rico. Meteorologists estimate a 90% probability that this disturbance will evolve into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 to 48 hours. The National Meteorological Institute (Indomet) reported that the system is advancing westward and is expected to unleash heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and powerful winds across much of the country in the coming days. In anticipation of potential hazards such as river overflows, flash floods, and urban flooding, the COE has issued yellow alerts for 13 provinces and the National District, while eight other provinces remain under green alert. Provinces under yellow alert include La Vega, San Cristóbal, Santo Domingo, and San Pedro de Macorís, among others. Meanwhile, Santiago, Monte Plata, and La Altagracia are among those on green alert. Additionally, the COE has warned of dangerous marine conditions along both the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts, advising small and medium-sized vessels to stay in port. COE Director Major General (r) Juan Manuel Méndez García has urged residents in high-risk areas to stay vigilant, avoid crossing swollen rivers, and take necessary precautions to minimize risks and potential damages.

The 81st General Assembly of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) concluded on Sunday in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with a stark warning about the escalating hostility and verbal assaults targeting journalism across the Americas. Daniel Dessein, director of La Gaceta in Argentina, highlighted the controversial rhetoric of Argentine President Javier Milei, who frequently concludes his social media posts with the phrase ‘we don’t hate journalists enough.’ Dessein emphasized that such statements underscore the growing risks posed by official discourse to press freedom in the region.

Cotuí, D.R. – President Luis Abinader officially opened the UASD-Cotuí Regional University Center on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of higher education in Sánchez Ramírez province. This new facility, developed under the Ministry of Housing and Buildings (MIVED), boasts 29 classrooms and is set to serve thousands of students from Cotuí and surrounding areas. The inauguration of this center completes a series of four regional university centers established within five years, alongside those in Baní, Azua, and Hato Mayor.

During the event, President Abinader emphasized the transformative role of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) in advancing national education and fostering intellectual growth. He reiterated his administration’s dedication to enhancing higher education accessibility and ensuring quality academic opportunities for all Dominicans.

In addition to the university center, Abinader unveiled a series of infrastructure projects aimed at boosting development in the province. These include the construction of the Cotuí Ring Road, the finalization of the Cevico–Monte Plata highway, the Hatillo road project (currently 50% complete), and the establishment of four indoor sports facilities. Furthermore, plans for a new city aqueduct and a drinking water system at the Hatillo Dam were announced, promising improved water access for local communities.