DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

The Customs Agency (DGA) has announced Dominican expats can bring up to US$5,000 in gifts for friends and family this Christmas season. This is a significant 30% increase in the value of duty-free goods over last holiday season.

The measure is effective for those traveling to the Dominican Republic from 1 December 2024 to 15 January 2025. The measure benefits Dominicans who live abroad. The tax exemption applies to personal items.

The Customs Agency highlights this is a record high in tax-free goods and the longest period ever awarded to those visiting.

The Customs Agency says the privilege applies to Dominicans who have not entered the country for at least six months before their trip this Christmas season. The tax exemption also applies one per family.

Customs director general Eduardo Sanz Lovatón expressed gratitude to the Dominican diaspora for...

After over eight hours of negotiations on the first day of a dialogue table, Attorney General Miriam German Brito managed to end a strike by two associations of prosecutors who were demanding the fulfillment of unmet labor demands.

According to the general coordinator of the Dominican Prosecutors Association (FiscalDom), projections were made regarding salary adjustments for all members of the Public Ministry, compensation for prosecutors, competitive exams for promotions, and the sought Pension and Retirement Plan. As reported, the talks will continue to structure and concretize these plans.

It was reported that both FiscalDom and the Association of Career Prosecutors (ADOFIC) will meet with the Superior Council of the Public Ministry (CSMP) at 10am on Tuesday, 3 December 2024 to continue fine-tuning details.

Regarding the salary increase, it was tentatively...

Proconsumidor announced the retaining of hundreds of 5-gallon water bottles for improper storage. The consumer defense agency had given the stores and water vending outlets and water companies several months to provide adequate storage for the product.

Pro Consumidor announced the beginning of a widespread crackdown on businesses selling bottled water exposed to direct sunlight. The agency’s director, Eddy Alcántara said on Monday, 2 December 2024 that inspectors had been deployed across the country to enforce regulations aimed at protecting public health.

In raids conducted in major cities including Santo Domingo, Santiago, La Vega, San Pedro de Macorís, La Romana, and San Cristóbal, inspectors found numerous stores selling bottled water that had been left unprotected from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. These bottles were immediately removed from shelves due...

The talk of the town on Monday, 2 December 2024, was the remark by former President Leonel Fernandez that he appears in the database of the Abinader administration’s Bono Navideño. Fernandez is today the president of the Fuerza del Pueblo, that has become the leading opposition party after splitting from the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), now under the stronghold of former President Danilo Medina.

President Abinader had announced the Christmas bonus would benefit thousands of vulnerable Dominicans. The list is around 3 million people.

President Luis Abinader defended the program saying it is a dignified way of giving vulnerable people a Christmas bonus. He compared it to the Christmas bags and boxes with goods program for years unfolding during the Christmas seasons in the PLD governments. He recalled these boxes were distributed most of the time in chaotic...

There is practically no place to park a car, and traffic jams turn a five-minute trip into a 45-minute one. Yet, the banks keep on diverting their surplus cash into financing more cars. The borrowers for vehicles are given access to the lowest interest rates available for any kind of loan, much much less than financing available for productive sectors. The vehicle serves as the collateral. The low-interest financing of vehicles sends thousands of vehicles to city streets, worsening the traffic jams.

Banco Popular has announced that the 29th edition of the Popular Auto Fair will offer fixed interest rates as low as 7.75% for six months; 11.95% for 12 months; 12.75% for two years; 13.95% for three years; and 14.95% for five years. Special financing options will also be available for used vehicles.

This year’s auto fair will continue to incentivize the purchase of hybrid and...

The Procurement Agency (DGCP) halted a tender to build a sewerage and reconstruct the Jarabacoa aqueduct in La Vega province in the wake of corruption allegations.

The official reason given for suspending the bidding process was that the water and sewerage authority in La Vega province, Coraavega, did not submit the pre-construction studies to approve the initiative and that the project code for registration in the national investment portfolio (SNIP) had expired, Diario Libre reported.

The tender was published on 7 November 2024 and the capex was estimated at RD$7.12 billion (US$115 million).

“The weakness identified is incompatible with the transparency and objectivity that should prevail in all public procurement processes,” the suspension notice states.

This project was reportedly approved in December 2022, but the bidding process...

H&M opened on 23 November at the Ágora Mall in Santo Domingo, as the company continues its international expansion.

Samuel Miller, global head of franchise at H&M Group, said|: “After successful openings in the vibrant and exciting markets of Panama, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, we are thrilled to expand with our franchise partner Hola Moda by launching in the Dominican Republic.”

More than 500 people waited in line for the opening which was celebrated with a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Miller and store manager Grobert Puig. Also present were Beatriz Volkmann, regional manager at Hola Moda, Marisol Fernández, country manager for new markets at Hola Moda, and Karen Dickson, area manager at H&M Dominican Republic.

Volkmann said: “We were thrilled to witness the enthusiasm of the people eagerly awaiting for our arrival. Bringing fashion and...

A large store of the kind that would house cheap China imports collapsed last week in Plaza Baza of Ingenio Arriba, off the Circunvalación in Santiago.

The owners of the store did not adhere to the order to stop the construction for faulty construction that had been issued by the Ministry of Housing (Mived). The Mived said the construction did not meet Law 687 and its ruling as stipulated in Decree 1661.

It was reported that two persons were injured. Three persons were rescued when the structure partially collapsed.

Minister of Sports Kelvin Cruz and Dominican baseball legends want the Dominican Republic to bring home the World Baseball Classic trophy in 2026. The Dominican Republic won the title in 2013 applying “platano power.”

The World Baseball Classic is scheduled to be held 5 March 2026 through 17 March 2026. The pool play rounds will be played in Miami, Florida; Houston, Texas; San Juan, Puerto Rico and Tokyo, Japan. The quarterfinals will be split between Miami and Houston, and the final round will be played in Miami.

Baseball greats including the three Cooperstown Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez, Vladimir Guerrero and David Ortiz, were part of the formal presentation of the Dominican Republic’s operations team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Martínez and his fellow legends expressed their commitment to fostering a strong team culture and...

The Dominican Republic has once again set a new tourism record, surpassing 10 million visitors for the second consecutive year, a month earlier than in 2023. As of 30 November 2024, arrivals were 10,005,800 by both air and sea. November 2024 arrivals alone reached 881,499 visitors.

President Luis Abinader and Tourism Minister David Collado announced the November 2024 milestone on Monday, 2 December 2024, highlighting the significant impact of the tourism industry on the nation’s economy and job market.

In a ceremony held at a capital city hotel attended by key figures in the tourism sector, President Abinader emphasized the government’s commitment to further bolster the country’s tourism appeal. He expressed optimism about reaching the ambitious goal of 11 million visitors by the year’s end.

Tourism Minister Collado provided a detailed breakdown of the tourism...

The “Bride of the Atlantic,” otherwise known as Puerto Plata, on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, will play host to 86 cruise ships this month, the regional director of the Ministry of Tourism in Puerto Plata, Carlos Atahualpa Paulino, reports in a press release. This is a record for the city and certainly reinforces the position of the city as a major player in the global cruise ship itinerary. Puerto Plata has two ports of call – Amber Cove (2015), and the newer Taino Bay (2021).

This month, Amber Cove, in the Bay of Maimon to the south of Puerto Plata city, will host 32 ships, and Taino Bay, in the city center of Puerto Plata, will receive another 54 cruise liners.

In fact, there will be four days in December when five ships will coincide at the same time in Puerto Plata, docking at the ports.

Read more in...

Tourists from 107 countries can enter the Dominican Republic visa-free for short stays. Travel and Tour World online recently observed on how visa-free travel to the country is one of the reasons the Dominican Republic is consolidating its positioning as a leader in travel in the Americas.

The visa-free facility is reciprocated by most countries. As a result, airlines have been prompt to add new frequencies and low-cost carriers have stimulated local Dominicans to travel and see the world. Fares are attractive for tourists and Dominican travelers as well. Young friends traveling as groups is one of the strongest market segments that are now filling the plane seats, increasing numbers of travelers to and from the Dominican Republic.

The director of the Passport Agency, Lorenzo Ramirez said during a recent interview on Esta Noche con Mariasela that the...

Casa Mella-Russo (CMR), one of the newer art galleries in Santo Domingo’s Colonial City, is celebrating its third anniversary with the exhibition “In Love and Art.” The exhibition is a collaboration between two renowned artists and spouses, Frenchwoman Beatrice Escoffier and Dominican modernist painter José García Cordero. The exhibition will be open through April 2025.

“It is an honor to inaugurate this exhibition by two great artists and human beings. Beatrice and José delight us with their works and inspire us with their life story, a testament to how love and complicity transcend time and materialize in art. This exhibition celebrates life, creativity, and the human connections that unite us,” said Altagracia Mella Russo, director of CMR.

The joint exhibition brings together pieces by these renowned artists, who met in the Dominican...

Early on, Spaniard Gabriel Escarrer bought into the vision of the development of the Punta Cana destination and built one of the first resorts – the Melia Punta Cana.

He is mourned in the Dominican Republic as one of the founders of the leading Caribbean destination. The family announced Escarrer’s passing on 26 November. He was 89 years old. His son Gabriel Escarrer Jaume continues as chairman and CEO of Meliá.

The Melia Punta Cana opened in 1991, following the opening of the Club Med Punta Cana and Barceló Bávaro resorts. From day one, the Melia Punta Cana offered a quality vacation experience mainly marketed to Europeans.

The Meliá Punta Cana was the first Meliá hotel to open in the Caribbean. In the Dominican Republic, Meliá would go on to open the Paradisus resort and Palma Real residential community and shopping area. In 2022, the chain opened the newly...

In a heartfelt message broadcast across social media and major television networks, President Luis Abinader addressed the nation to reflect on the Dominican Republic’s progress, the challenges overcome, and the ambitious goals his administration is pursuing. The speech, delivered with a festive Christmas spirit, aimed to inspire hope and unity among the people.

The President emphasized that Christmas is a time to reflect on the past and envision a brighter future. “It’s a time to gather with family and remember what truly matters: our people, our roots, our history,” he said, urging the citizens to work together toward a fairer and more equitable Dominican Republic.

Abinader highlighted several key achievements of his government:

Poverty reduction: The government is committed to reducing the national poverty rate to 15% and extreme poverty to below 1%...

President Luis Abinader visited the Villa de la Navidad in Santo Domingo and Vice President Raquel Peña was in Santiago for the opening of that city’s Christmas decorations.

The Villa de la Navidad was set up by the National District capital city government at the grounds of the Palacio de los Deportes in the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center. Live shows and other recreational activities are on the program.

In Santiago, the area around the Cibao Theater is decorated with lights and will be the center of many recreational activities for this Christmas, New Years and Three Kings holidays.

Read more in Spanish:

• El Dia
• N Digital

President Luis Abinader announced on Sunday, 1 December 2024 that retired members of the Dominican Armed Forces will receive 100% coverage for their health insurance starting 1 January 2025.

During a luncheon at the Ministry of Defense, Abinader expressed his gratitude to the retired military personnel and emphasized that this increased coverage is a matter of justice. “Now, when they need it most, they will have full access to healthcare,” he stated.

The President acknowledged the long-standing disparities in pay and benefits between active-duty and retired military members. He assured the audience that the government is committed to improving the conditions for all members of the armed forces in the years to come.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre explained that this new policy will provide retired military...

It is no big news that motorcyclists are involved in nearly 80% of all traffic accidents in the Dominican Republic. Now, the National Statistics Office (ONE) has published a report on the traffic violations motorcycle drivers are committing.

According to ONE, driving the wrong way (against traffic), going through the tunnels or using the overpasses, and driving a motorcycle without a helmet are the major traffic violations reported by Intrant.

Another big issue is jumping the traffic signals at red lights. Of course, speeding and driving without a license are among the other issues presented in the report.

Over 60% of the traffic violations affect the safety of the motorcycle driver or his passenger or other persons.

One of the saddest numbers published by the ONE is the fact that 68.8% of all fatalities are related to motorcycles.

An interesting...

Efforts to update the Labor Code of the Dominican Republic have stagnated over the keeping of the hefty severance payments imposed by the Labor Code that dates back to 1992. Business groups say this high burden keeps wages low and discourages job creation in the formal sector. Today, the informal sector employs more people.

A coalition of Dominican business organizations, led by the National Business Council (Conep) has expressed strong opposition to the recent presentation of a labor reform bill to the National Congress. In a letter addressed to Labor Minister Luis Miguel De Camps, the group asserted that the proposed legislation was prematurely sent to Congress without addressing key concerns raised by the business sector.

The letter, signed by eight major business associations, including Copardom, AIRD, Asonahores, Adozona, ACIS, Anje, Codopyme, and ONEC, emphasized...

It may seem strange that a nation with large deposits of gold and silver does not have a local artisanry associated with these precious metals. There are plenty of jewelry shops, but goldsmiths or artisans making the jewelry are scant and the quality is lacking.

This issue was recently addressed by the director general of the Office of Community Development (ODC), Modesto Guzman, who cut the tape at the re-opening ceremonies of the Juan Pablo Duarte School for Jewelry and Goldsmithing in the Colonial City.

The school, located on 19 de Marzo Street in the Colonial City, will provide professional instruction to its students who will then be able to convert some of the local precious metals into jewelry for everyone to enjoy.

It should be noted that one of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic, Juan Pablo Duarte, was also a goldsmith.

Read more...

Late last week, there were headlines in all of the local newspapers that the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic was “releasing [billions of pesos] from the legal reserve.” Some of this money, RD$35 billion, was destined to the housing and construction sector for low and medium-income housing projects. But just what is the “legal reserve?”

The “legal reserve” is a requirement imposed by the Central Bank on all financial institutions which requires them to maintain a certain amount of the money deposited by their clients in reserve. It is a move designed to provide stability to the local monetary system.

In the Dominican Republic, commercial banks, like Popular, Reservas or BHD are required to keep 10.6% of their deposits in pesos on hand in this special legal reserve, and 20% of their deposits in dollars are also required. These requirements can vary according to the needs of...

Renowned political figure and former district attorney, Guillermo Moreno, has vehemently condemned the recent regulations proposed by the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ), arguing that they pose a grave threat to transparency and could foster impunity.

Moreno contends that these new regulations, which aim to conceal the identities of individuals involved in criminal proceedings, directly contradict the constitutional guarantees of freedom of information and public access to judicial processes.

“It’s simply impossible to reconcile these regulations with the public nature of criminal proceedings,” Moreno asserted, emphasizing that criminal offenses have a profound impact on society as a whole. He further argued that the public’s right to know the identities of those who violate the law is a fundamental aspect of a just society, and that no regulation should supersede the Constitution...

On Saturday, 30 November, the 2024 Hurricane Season came to an ‘official’ end. This does not mean, however, that there might not appear a tropical storm in December. According to many meteorologists, the warm waters of the Caribbean could still produce some interesting weather.

But let’s look at the positive aspects: the Dominican Republic was not seriously damaged during a season that was very active with 18 named storms. Some other areas, such as Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee experienced severe damage and major loss of life.

Hurricane Helene was especially deadly, with well over 150 victims in North Carolina and Tennessee.

However, here in the Dominican Republic, only Beryl, in early July 2024, brushed the South Coast, causing evacuations, highway closures, and the shut-down of the AES generation facility.

Experts at the...

In an atmosphere brimming with joy and tradition, the Presidential Palace was illuminated on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, with thousands of twinkling lights as the Dominican Republic officially kicked off its 2024 Christmas season with the grand tree lighting ceremony.

Joined by President Luis Abinader and Vice President Raquel Peña, First Lady Raquel Arbaje warmly welcomed guests with a special performance by the Dominican National Children’s Choir. Under the direction of Maestro Ángel Herdz, the young singers delivered a captivating rendition of beloved Christmas carols, both a cappella and accompanied by a string quintet.

A devote Catholic, First Lady Arbaje spoke saying: “Christmas is a time for gatherings, for sharing with our loved ones, at home, at work, in our neighborhoods, and many other places,” she said. “While these celebrations are wonderful, it’s...

Vice President Raquel Peña celebrated a significant milestone in the nation’s education sector on 27 November 2024 when 16,000 students successfully completed the 20th graduation of the English Immersion Program. The Ministry of Higher Education (MESCyT) program is free to students.

“Today is a day of celebration and national pride: 16,000 young people have achieved a goal that represents both an academic achievement and a great personal victory,” Peña declared.

Peña emphasized the critical role of English in key sectors such as tourism, services, and communication. She announced the government’s commitment to doubling the program’s budget in 2025, reflecting the nation’s dedication to fostering bilingualism.

“English has become a crucial tool in key sectors such as tourism, services, and communication, and it is one of the most spoken...

The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) has authorized the release of RD$35 billion to stimulate the housing market. This decision, announced by Central Bank Governor Hector Valdez Albizu during a meeting with heads of multiple banks, aims to increase lending for home purchases, interim loans, and construction.

The funds, equivalent to 1.75% of the required legal reserve, will be channeled through financial institutions at an annual interest rate of up to 10%. A significant portion of the allocation, RD$14 billion, is specifically earmarked for low-cost housing, defined as homes valued at RD$5,025,380.75 or less.

“This measure, along with other liquidity-enhancing actions taken by the Central Bank, will contribute to accelerating the transmission mechanism of monetary policy and reducing interest rates on loans to productive sectors and households,” said...

The National Council of Export Free Zones (CNZFE) has given the green light for 12 new companies to operate within its tax free and labor flexible regime, representing an investment of US$66.65 million. The companies would generate 670 new direct jobs nationwide.

During the Council’s sixth meeting of 2024, it was revealed that the new ventures will contribute approximately US$21.6 million in foreign exchange. Their operations will encompass a broad spectrum, including medical device development and manufacturing, call center services, flooring production, tobacco processing, warehousing, furniture manufacturing, and more.

Daniel Liranzo, executive director of the CNZFE, indicated that these new investments will have a significant impact on various regions of the country, including Santo Domingo, Santiago, Samaná, Puerto Plata, El Seibo, and San Juan de la...

Online digital issues of the media, stores and word of mouth are spreading information on where to get discounted prices on that item you may have been looking to buy for months.

All throughout November, Black Friday specials have prevailed so people don’t have to deal with the crowds. But the actual day, 29 November 2024 is coming, so hours are counted for many sales. Some stores will extend the specials throughout the weekend.

On occasion of the traditional Thanksgiving Day luncheon at the American Chamber of Commerce, the US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Patricia Aguilera spoke and gave a wrap-up of what the DR-CAFTA, the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement has meant for the US-DR relationship.

Signed in 2004, Aguilera says the agreement has cemented the long-shared robust economic bonds between both countries.

Twenty years later, the agreement continues to yield significant benefits for both nations. Aguilera highlighted the DR-CAFTA has been instrumental in tripling the Dominican Republic’s economic growth compared to the regional average.

“Since DR-CAFTA came into effect, three million Dominicans have been lifted out of poverty, and the middle class has expanded significantly,” said Aguilera. “This is a testament to the power of free trade and sound economic policies.”

Aguilera attributed the...

The operator of the Caucedo Port in Santo Domingo province, DP World announced the port recently received the largest container ship ever to dock at a Dominican port, the MSC Marie. The port operator says the arrival of the ultra-large container vessel solidifies the country’s position as a key logistics hub in the Americas.

The MSC Marie, owned by Mediterranean Shipping Company, arrived from Panama on 10 November 2024. With a length of 366 meters and a width of 51 meters, the vessel boasts a capacity of 17,644 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). This significant milestone underscores the growing importance of the Dominican Republic in global trade.

Manuel Martínez, CEO of DP World in the Dominican Republic, expressed his pride in this achievement, stating: “This milestone demonstrates DP World’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the sector and...

Angel Hernández / El Día

Education Minister Ángel Hernández has revealed that nearly 60 teachers have been sanctioned for sexual abuse allegations in the past two years.

Hernández made the statement during an interview on the television program “El Día,” responding to questions about the recent cases of two teachers in San Pedro de Macorís accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old student.

“Last year (2023), 34 cases were sanctioned, and the year before (2022), a similar number,” said Hernández.

The minister emphasized that teachers who engage in such behavior are often known within the community, and school administrators and guidance counselors should pay close attention to any information students provide about their teachers.

“Usually, teachers who have this type of behavior are known. People know who they are. The issue is that everyone must assume their responsibility...

Aurelio Henríquez / El Nuevo Diario

The Dominican Journalists’ Association (CDP) has joined the Dominican Society of Dailies (SDD) and Participacion Ciudadana, the Transparency International Dominican chapter, in denouncing the new data protection policy introduced by the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ). The policy aims to shield personal information deemed unnecessary in judicial rulings.

The policy would delete the names of those sentenced from online searches, replacing these with initials to protect privacy and dignity of those that have been sentenced.

CDP president Aurelio Henríquez expressed concern that the policy undermines journalists’ ability to access and publish information vital to the public interest. “Journalists have the right to seek, verify, and disseminate information essential to ensuring that citizens are adequately informed,”...

Reporters from Diario Libre traveled to the border with Haiti to see for themselves the “fence” that gets so much international attention. One stretch of the border is about the so-called Carretera Internacional that separates both countries. The road was once used by adventure travelers, but after a famous Dominican doctor was assaulted by Haitians when traveling with a group, it has become off limits for non-essential travelers.

The land border with Haiti is about 391 km, of which there are gate points and fence constructed in about 55 km of the stretch.

Viewed from the skies, the border is defined by the deforestation on the Haitian side and the green on the Dominican side. For decades, the Dominican Republic has had to combat on this side of the border pervasive agriculture methods of slash and burn and the use of charcoal for cooking imported by Haitian...

For decades, for a fee, Haitians could buy a “place” in a SUV or vehicle that promised to get them to a city or destination in the Dominican Republic, bypassing military checkpoints. The vehicles would be impressively packed. A vehicle made for six persons would be packed with 16+. There were people under people, and people in the trunk of the car. Most Haitians are skinny, so more people fit than the usual.

Diario Libre shares a video showing several recent instances of the Army detaining the people smugglers and the smuggled Haitians getting out of the vehicles. It reports at least 500 smuggling instances were stopped.

The people smuggling crackdown came after the Minister of Defense, chief of the Army, Migration Agency director and Minister of Interior & Police were changed with the start of the second term of President Luis Abinader.

What is newsworthy...

The New York authorities went public about a major crackdown on a married couple that had built a millionaire business that sourced merchandise through shoplifting and delivery truck cargo theft.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and Governor Kathy Hochul announced on 27 November 2024 that married couple Cristopher Guzman and Yvelisse Guzman Batista, as well as three co-defendants, were charged with operating a large-scale retail theft and fencing operation.

The ring had teams assaulting storefronts and inside mostly stores in New York, New Jersey and Maryland. The items were later sold online or shipped to the Dominican Republic for resale to Dominican consumers online and at the Yvelisse Fashion boutique in Villa Olga, Santiago for bargain prices.

In addition to the network of shoplifters, the ring also convinced delivery trucks to divert...

While merengue is the national dance, ironically few in the Dominican Republic know that 26 November is Merengue Day. The day celebrates the contagious and vibrant rhythm with its whirlwind of fast-paced steps and slow, intimate or lively dance. In 2016 the Unesco declared the Merengue an Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 2019, the Dominican Republic set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of couples dancing merengue in unison, surpassing Russia’s previous record.

For the occasion of Merengue Day, El Nacional newspaper interviewed several leading merengue experts to ask about the present status of the merengue.

El Nacional sought to answer the question: “But where does merengue stand today?”

Pochy Familia, leader of the Coco Band orchestra, believes merengue is receiving special attention: “I think there’s been a shift in the music industry in general: the...

The Leones del Escogido, captained by Albert Pujols as he begins a would-be career as a MLB team manager, have been first in the standings of the 2024-25 Professional Winter Baseball Championship from day one.

With 21 games to go before the end of the regular season, the standings are:Leones del Escogido, Estrellas Orientales are 1.5 games behind, Tigres del Licey, 3.5 games behind and Aguilas Cibaeñas 4.5 games behind. The Toros del Este are 7 games behind and Gigantes del Cibao are 7.5 games away, but mathematically these two teams still have a chance to make it to the round robin.

The top four teams of the regular season pass to the round robin that starts from zero to decide the playoff teams.

Follow the tournament: Lidom

28 November 2024

President Luis Abinader on Monday, 25 November 2024 officially opened the renovated National Conservatory of Music (CNM), the country’s premier institution for music education. The renovations were funded by the Ministry of Education and cost RD$108 million.

As the nation’s leading music education institution, the modernized facility ensures a conducive environment for nurturing artistic talent, promoting academic excellence, and strengthening the Dominican cultural heritage.

During the inauguration ceremony, the President was joined by Minister Milagros Germán; Deputy Minister of Creativity and Artistic Training, Giovanny Cruz; Director General of Fine Arts, Marinella Sallent; CNM Director, Nadia Nicola; Berklee College of Music Vice President and Executive Director, Ron Savage; and Berklee’s Associate Vice President of Global Initiatives, Jason...

Decree 600-24 shuffles several diplomats, Diario Libre reports.

Ada Francisca de Asís Hernández Rivera as the new ambassador and permanent representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development 2 (IFAD). She replaces Mario Arvelo Caamaño in these roles. Veteran diplomat Arvelo Caamaño has been returned to the Dominican Republic to serve a term at the Ministry of Foreign Relations.

In a related move, Manuel Eugenio Félix Matos has been named as the alternate ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), succeeding Hernández Rivera in this position. Additionally, Larissa Caridad Veloz Santana has been appointed as the ambassador and permanent representative to UNESCO, replacing Andrés Luciano...

After a meeting with Pablo Ulloa, director of the Office of the Ombudsman, the representative of Major League Baseball commissioner Junior Noboa and representatives of the ministries of Public Health and the National Council for Childhood, Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz announced unregulated baseball academies will have 45 days to register or face suspension.

The action was taken after the death of a 14-year old Ismael Ureña at the Yordi Cabrera training academy made headlines. Investigators confirmed the child had received a horse injection to improve his playing. Two of the deceased’s brothers survived the same procedure.

The move announced by the Ministry of Sports that seeks to standardize the process of signing young baseball prospects, comes after the meeting with various government agencies and baseball industry stakeholders. Baseball recruits are regarded as “products”...

A recent case of a Haitian who assaulted at night point medical staff at the Dario Contreras Hospital in Santo Domingo, and then fled, reportedly back to Haiti, and then in less than a week was detained as part of a group of Haitians who crossed the border, is being regarded as evidence of the reality of the open border with Haiti.

Meanwhile, announcements of deportations of Haitians from the Dominican Republic to Haiti make headlines around the world. A story in El Nacional by Julio Gomez tells a different blunt reality. El Nacional reports most of the thousands that are deported at a high cost to Dominican taxpayers cross back into Dominican territory through unguarded points in matters of days. The Dominican border with Haiti is about 390 km long, of which there is a new fence for around 50 km and four road checkpoints in Dajabón/Ouanaminthe...

Recent reports on the accusations against an English professor for the rape of a 13-year old at a rural school in La Siria, Quisqueya municipality in San Pedro de Macoris continue to make headlines. The investigators have ascertained that the child and professor had maintained the relationship for about a year and this was well known and allowed until the case made the news. The authorities removed the school director and all the staff from the school as the investigations unfold now under the guidance of the Ministry of Education echelons. The school was ordered to close physically with virtual learning for a week after the incident came into the open. The school reopened with new professors and staff on Monday, 25 November 2024.

The Permanent Attention Services Office of San Pedro de Macorís has postponed until Monday, 2 December 2024, the first hearing to determine the...

The non-partisan organization, Participacion Ciudadana, the Dominican chapter of Transparency International, has vehemently opposed a new policy adopted by the Supreme Court of Justice president Luis Henry Molina as a general rule. The policy calls for the removal or substitution of any information that could identify or make identifiable any natural person. Critics argue that this measure will effectively shield lawbreakers, especially corrupt officials, from public scrutiny, fostering impunity and further corruption.

The new policy, which overturns the principle of transparency as the norm and privacy as the exception, has raised significant concerns among civil society organizations and media outlets. It is firmly objected by the Society of Dominican Dailies (SDD).

Participacion Ciudadana states that the Dominican Constitution explicitly guarantees public...

A judge has ordered seven members of the Dominican National Police to be held in preventive custody for 18 months in connection with the theft of over 900,000 rounds of ammunition from National Police armories. The munitions were being sold at border binational markets, but the authorities did not take official notice nor actions to avoid this. The change came when the Minister of Interior and Police, Minister of Defense, Migration Agency director, Army commander, were replaced, coinciding with the second term of President Luis Abinader.

Minister of Interior and Police Faride Raful followed up on claims received from Haiti that munitions labeled as belonging to the Dominican Police were seized from gang members in Haiti. Yet, the investigation has singled out no general yet. The investigators accuse Police Special Operations Center director, Colonel Narciso...

Rafael R. Ramírez Ferreira / El Día

Retired Army General Rafael R. Ramirez Ferreira writes in Acento about his disappointment with the Police reform and road improvements. He mentions that those in power resort to reforms to disguise other purposes for their actions.

He writes:

“We have the famous police reform, very similar to the expansion of the Duarte highway, which, more than anything, is cosmetic with returns that will take decades to see any effectiveness, as if the existing ones weren’t doing their job. But the real business lies in the removal of earth, not to mention the use of the material obtained from the mine found where the new toll station is being built.

“That’s what the police reform has become: cosmetics here and there, collecting everything that comes in without any objective criteria, without even carrying out a purge as the situation requires...

Insight Crime reports that the record-breaking cocaine seizures in the Dominican Republic highlight the resurgence of the Caribbean as a major trafficking route to Europe amid unprecedented cocaine production in Colombia. The geographic location of the country, and its many sea and air ports and shipping and air connections, make it an advantage point for trafficking.

Insight Crime reports on the successes of the National Drug Control Agency during the Abinader administration compared to past governments in cracking down on drug trafficking.

Over 30 tons of cocaine have been seized in the Dominican Republic in 2024, surpassing the 18 tons confiscated in 2023 and the previous record of 27.7 tons set in 2022. This represents a dramatic increase in drug interdictions, with cocaine seizures rising fivefold between 2019 and 2024.

On 9 November 2024, the National Drug...

A trough is making its way through the country bringing on and off rains. The chilly temperatures to the north are also bringing refreshing lows of around 20- 22C in the early morning to most of the country. The forecast is for the rains to continue through Thursday, 28 November 2024.

Read more in Spanish:

• El Nacional
• Diario Libre
• Indomet

Jamaica’s Cavalier FC took a 1-0 lead into the Concacaf Caribbean Cup final after beating Cibao FC of the Dominican Republic in the first leg of the two-way tie at the National Stadium in Jamaica on Tuesday, 26 November 2024.

Cavalier’s Shaquile Stein scored the only goal of the game. Shaquille Stein netted the all-important goal 20 minutes into the match, giving Cavalier the advantage heading into the return leg. Cavalier will now travel to the Dominican Republic to play the second leg game.

The game will be played on 3 December 2024 at the Cibao FC Stadium in Santiago. The winner of that game will be the Caribbean champion and representative of the region in the Concacaf Champions Cup 2025.