DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

In a move set to reshape the Caribbean’s energy landscape, the administration of US President Donald J. Trump has officially granted a presidential permit for the construction of a submarine electric cable connecting the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, Noticias SIN reports.

The announcement was made Wednesday, 28 January 2026 by President Luis Abinader. The permit serves as the final regulatory hurdle required by Washington to allow the interconnection of the two energy systems, clearing the way for the Dominican Republic to begin exporting electricity to Puerto Rico.

President Abinader characterized the approval as a “pivotal advancement” for regional energy cooperation. He noted that the project not only addresses Puerto Rico’s ongoing energy stability needs but also cements the Dominican Republic’s status as a strategic hub for power generation and sales in...

US Ambassador Leah F. Campos characterized economic and national security as “two sides of the same coin” during a keynote address to the Santiago Chamber of Commerce and Production on Wednesday, 29 January 2026. The event was attended by Vice President Raquel Peña and leading Santiago businesspeople, including Manuel Estrella and Micalo Bermudez, as reported in El Caribe.

In her first official visit to the second largest city in the country, Campos advocated for a bilateral agenda rooted in sovereignty, border control, and the strengthening of trade and investment.

“America First does not mean America Alone,” Campos concluded, reiterating that the US remains the Dominican Republic’s leading source of foreign direct investment. She pledged that the US Embassy would continue to foster a “practical and non-politicized” economic relationship.

The...

In a significant expansion of its medical infrastructure, the Medical Center for Diabetes, Obesity, and Specialties (Cemdoe) has officially transitioned from an ambulatory care model to a full-service hospital. As of 19 January 2026, Cemdoe offers patient internment in addition to its comprehensive clinical offerings, marking a new phase in its evolution aimed at providing continuous, long-term care for the community.

Cemdoe is a private clinic that accepts most medical insurance plans. Word of mouth on its efficient medical services and its location in western Santo Domingo have attracted thousands of patients.

The new hospital wing features modern private rooms designed for patient recovery and a multidisciplinary Intensive Care Unit (ICU). These facilities allow the center to manage complex clinical cases that require overnight stays and constant monitoring, moving beyond its...

In a significant legal blow to corporate environmental negligence, a Dominican court has sentenced an agroforestry company to pay substantial damages for the ecological devastation caused by its avocado production operations.

The case has drawn national attention in the Dominican Republic as a landmark victory for Environmental Law (Law 64-00). While the avocado industry is a major economic driver for the country, environmental groups and the Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic have long warned that expanding plantations into high-altitude forests and protected watersheds compromises the nation’s water security.

This sentence serves as a stern warning to large-scale agricultural producers that economic profit does not grant immunity from environmental regulations.

The ruling, issued by the Criminal Chamber of the Court of First Instance of San José de Ocoa...

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, in a “march-caravana” to voice a resounding “No” to mining exploitation in the Cordillera Central and Cordillera Septentrional mountain ranges. The mountain ranges are vital to the production of water for human consumption and farming irrigation.

The demonstration, organized by the Catholic movement “Unidos Somos Más” (United We Are More), saw a significant turnout of residents from Santiago and Puerto Plata. Participants traveled in cars and on motorcycles with headlights on and horns blaring, traversing the Juan Pablo Duarte Highway and Las Carreras Avenue before concluding at Santiago’s central monorail and cable car station.

Father Ramón “Nino” Ramos, representing the group of priests and community leaders leading the movement, framed the protest as a defense of “Mother Earth”...

The 18th edition of the Santo Domingo Global Film Festival (FCGSD) officially launched on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Eduardo Brito National Theater, setting the stage for a week-long celebration of international cinema and cultural dialogue.

The opening night’s centerpiece was the world premiere of “Milly: La Reina del Merengue” (Milly: The Queen of Merengue), a musical documentary directed by Leticia Tonos. The film chronicles the life of the legendary Milly Quezada, who fled the Dominican Civil War in 1965 as a youth and rose to musical prominence in New York’s Washington Heights during the 1970s. The documentary explores Quezada’s journey through themes of memory, identity, and resilience.

During the opening ceremony, the festival presented top honors to both Milly Quezada and multi-talented artist Cecilia García, recognizing their enduring impact...

The field is set for the 2026 Caribbean Series that opens 1 February in Mexico, with the Dominican Republic’s Leones del Escogido representing the Dominican Republic. The Leones del Escogido are scheduled to open their title defense against Mexico Red (Charros de Jalisco) at 7:30pm local time.

This year’s regional championship was relocated from Venezuela to Mexico due to ongoing sociopolitical concerns. Following the venue change, the tournament format has been adjusted to feature five teams, including two host squads:• Dominican Republic: Leones del Escogido (Defending Caribbean Series champions)• Mexico Red: Charros de Jalisco• Mexico Green: Tomateros de Culiacán• Puerto Rico: Cangrejeros de Santurce• Panama (guest): Federales de Chiriquí

Thirteen games are scheduled. The tournament begins this Sunday, 1 February 2026 and the finals will be on 7...

The Superintendency of Electricity (SIE) has approved a new Distributed Generation Regulation that significantly improves economic conditions for solar energy users, including the recognition of 100% of annual credits for surplus energy injected into the national grid.

The new framework, established under Resolution SIE-007-2026-REG, is set to take effect at the end of May 2026. According to the SIE, the regulation aims to modernize the energy sector as the country pushes toward a goal of having renewables account for 30% of the national energy matrix by 2030.

One of the most significant changes introduced by the regulation is the complete digitalization of the application process. Response times for interconnection requests, which previously took up to four months, will now be capped at a maximum of 45 days. In a move to ensure efficiency, the regulation mandates “automatic approval” if...

Carlos Pimentel, director of the Public Procurement Agency ((DGCP), announced the going into effect of the amendments made to government procurement. As of Wednesday, 28 January 2026, the Dominican Republic will have officially enacted Law 47-25 on Public Procurement, described by the government as a landmark piece of legislation designed to overhaul the state’s purchasing systems and install rigorous safeguards against corruption.

The new law replaces the nearly two-decade-old Law 340-06, marking a significant shift toward transparency and institutional accountability.

The government promises strengthened oversight and controls. A central pillar of the new regulation is the expansion of its jurisdiction. Unlike previous rules that primarily focused on the central government, Law 47-25 now extends its reach to:• The legislative and judicial branches in their administrative functions.• Public trusts and state-owned enterprises where the government holds more than a 50%...

Participación Ciudadana (PC), the Dominican Republic’s leading civil society watchdog, released a comprehensive report on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, detailing a massive corruption network under investigation at the National Health Insurance (SeNaSa).

The document, titled the “7th Report of the Observatory of Administrative Corruption Cases,” focuses exclusively on the “Santiago Hazim and Associates” case. It synthesizes a 537-page indictment from the Public Ministry into a 32-page brief aimed at helping the public understand the scale of the alleged despoilment of the nation’s health funds.

Luxury spending amidst public health crisisThe report highlights a jarring contrast between the diversion of public resources and the needs of the country’s most vulnerable citizens. According to the findings, funds intended for life-saving medical services were used to purchase luxury vehicles, high-end watches valued at over RD$5 million, and bottles of whiskey exceeding RD$100,000 each...

Environmental advocates and legal experts are calling on the Ministry of Energy and Mines to immediately revoke a mining exploration permit in the Cordillera Septentrional, on the north and northcentral side of the country, alleging the concession violates national laws governing protected areas.

The demand comes as social organizations prepare for a major protest march Wednesday, 28 January 2026 across the northern region to reject potential gold, silver, and copper extraction in the mountain range shared by the Santiago and Puerto Plata provinces.

While the Ministry of Energy and Mines maintains that current activities are strictly exploratory, critics argue the distinction is a formality. “Nobody invests money searching for gold, silver, and copper without the intention to exploit it if sufficient quantities are found,” said environmental lawyer Euren Cuevas.

Environmentalist Luis...

The Russian government has formally proposed the immediate reinstatement of direct flights to the Dominican Republic, aiming to eliminate grueling 30-hour travel itineraries and revitalize a tourism link that has been fractured since the start of the conflict in Ukraine.

Speaking during an interview on the morning program El Despertador, the Russian Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Alexey Victorovich Seredin, stated that Moscow is “completely ready” to resume operations. According to the diplomat, the proposal has been officially submitted, and the decision now rests entirely with Dominican authorities.

“We offered the resumption of flights; the Russian side is fully prepared,” Seredin said, though he declined to speculate on why the Dominican government has yet to grant the final green light.

The 30-hour journeyThe suspension of direct air travel, a byproduct of international sanctions and airspace restrictions following Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, has...

As the traffic light turns red across the capital’s major arteries, a familiar and dangerous dance begins. While cars and trucks grind to a halt, pedestrians remain frozen on the sidewalk, hesitant to cross. Their caution is well-founded: for the thousands of motorcyclists weaving through the lanes, the red light is treated not as a command, but as an optional suggestion, Ambar Frias writes in an opinion piece in Hoy. She describes what those who commute in Santo Domingo every day have to deal with.

Writing for Hoy, Frias complains that the growing sense of anarchy on the streets of Greater Santo Domingo has reached a tipping point. On high-traffic avenues such as Máximo Gómez, 27 de Febrero, and John F. Kennedy, motorcyclists are routinely observed speeding through intersections against the light, defying both the law and increasing the threat of fatal accidents.

She wrote her opinion...

In a vibrant fusion of high fashion and social advocacy, Miss Universe 2025 Fátima Bosch and acclaimed Dominican designer Giannina Azar headlined a fundraising gala aimed at raising autism awareness.

The event, titled “La Corona Brilla por el Autismo” (The Crown Shines for Autism), took place at the Kimpton Las Mercedes hotel as part of the official Miss Universe itinerary in the Dominican Republic. Beyond its charitable mission, the evening served as a milestone celebration for the 70th anniversary of the Miss Dominican Republic Universe organization.

Produced by Dominican fashion industry veteran Sócrates McKinney, the runway featured a collection of exclusive pieces by Azar, whose designs have gained international recognition. Bosch walked alongside a cast of national and international models, using the platform to promote messages of inclusion, empathy, and...

In a dramatic finish that mirrored last season’s heroics, the Leones del Escogido clinched their 18th Dominican Professional Winter Baseball (Lidom) title Tuesday night, 27 January 2026, defeating the Toros del Este 1-0 at the Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo. The victory marks back-to-back championships for the franchise, solidifying their resurgence as a powerhouse in the Dominican Winter League. The Escogido won the championship closing winning four games and losing only one in the best of seven series.

The Tuesday game concluded with a spectacular defensive gem by right fielder Sócrates Brito, who leaped at the wall to rob Jeimer Candelario of a potential extra-base hit for the 27th out. The play served as a poetic bookend to the season, as Brito had made a similar game-ending catch against Licey in the previous year’s final.

The game’s only run came early in the...

In a significant move to reshape regional diplomacy and security, Chile’s President-elect José Antonio Kast visited, marking the first stop of an international tour designed to study successful governance models before he officially assumes office on 11 March 2026.

He was accompanied by his wife, María Pía Adriasola, and key members of his future cabinet when he landed in Santiago de los Caballeros on Saturday, 24 January. He was received by a high-level Dominican delegation led by Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, Defense Minister Carlos Fernández Onofre, and Housing Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó.

During his initial remarks, Kast expressed profound admiration for the Dominican Republic’s rapid modernization. Having first visited the country 35 years ago, the President-elect noted that the nation’s progress in infrastructure and economic stability continues to “surprise” him. He specifically pointed to the Dominican Republic as a benchmark for Chile in the sectors of tourism...

In a ceremony blending technological advancement with patriotic symbolism, President Luis Abinader and First Lady Raquel Arbaje were issued the first new identity and electoral cards (cédula) on Monday, 26 January 2026, coinciding with the 213th anniverary of the birth of founding father of the nation, Juan Pablo Duarte.

The Dominican ID moves from traditional printing toward high-security laser engraving. According to technical specifications provided by the JCE, the card is constructed from nine layers of polycarbonate, a material capable of lasting up to 25 years.

Key security features of the new “smart” ID include:• Laser-engraved data: Information is etched directly into the polycarbonate layers using CLP 60 technology, making it virtually impossible to alter without destroying the card.• Integrated cryptographic chip: Designed to...

In a move that has sent ripples through the Dominican political and academic landscape, President Luis Abinader has dismissed Rafael Féliz García from his position as rector of the Las Américas Institute of Technology (ITLA), a government-owned technology higher learning institute. The dismissal, formalized through Decree 39-26, follows a series of investigative reports that have cast a shadow over Féliz García’s rapid financial growth and administrative ethics.

The Executive Branch announced the removal late Friday, 23 January 2026, effectively revoking Féliz García’s appointment which had been in place since July 2024. While the official communique framed the move as part of an “institutional strengthening and evaluation process,” the timing coincides with a major scandal involving alleged salary kickbacks at the institute.

According to investigative journalist Nuria Piera...

In a significant shift for the Dominican Republic’s political landscape, small political movements, some with fewer than 200 votes and others that did not participate in the last elections, are set to receive nearly RD$4 million each in public funding for 2026, as reported in Diario Libre. This windfall is the result of a landmark 2025 ruling by the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE), which overhauled the criteria for distributing state resources to political entities.

The reform will mark the first time the Camino Nuevo (CN) party will access public funds. Despite being recognized in March 2024 and missing the elections due to its recent legalization, the party maintains an active digital presence and national operations.

In contrast, several of the local movements receiving millions appear to have little to no public profile. Investigations into...

Nearly a month after the disappearance of three-year-old Brianna Genao in a small hamlet in Puerto Plata, Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso confirmed that investigations remain active. Nevertheless she stated that legal constraints prevent the release of specific findings to the public or the family at this stage. The child was living with her paternal grandmother, with the child’s mother living in the United States.

Speaking during the inauguration of new Attorney General facilities in La Vega, Reynoso addressed growing public pressure for transparency. She explained that the Dominican Republic’s legal code mandates strict confidentiality during the investigative phase.

“The law itself dictates that until there is a formal process, investigative data cannot be revealed,” Reynoso stated, emphasizing that the restriction is a legal requirement rather than a lack of progress.

Three-year old Brianna Genao vanished on 31 December 2025 in the community of Barrero, Puerto...

After capturing global headlines for her relentless search for the tomb of Cleopatra in Egypt, world-renowned archaeologist Kathleen Martínez Nazar is turning her sights toward her homeland for a new, historic mission: locating the remains of Cacique Enriquillo, known as the first revolutionary of the Americas.

Martínez, whose work at the Taposiris Magna temple in Egypt has made her one of the most recognized names in modern archaeology, will lead an international team to the ruins of Pueblo Viejo in Azua. The objective is to find the final resting place of the legendary indigenous leader who staged the first successful rebellion against European colonial rule in the Americas.

The project, titled “Following the Footsteps of Cacique Enriquillo,” marks a significant pivot for Martínez. While her career has been defined by the mysteries of the Ptolemaic dynasty...

Miss Universe 2025, Fatima Bosch of Mexico is visiting the Dominican Republic after making a first stop in Guatemala on her first world tour. She arrived on 26 January and will be in the country until 3 February 2026.

The reigning Miss Universe arrived to Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo on board an Arajet flight and has an agenda centered on social advocacy and cultural exchange. Her visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Miss Dominican Republic Organization, and the naming of the first Miss Dominican Republic.

She was welcomed in the Ambassadors’ Lounge by national director Magalis Febles and the current Miss Dominican Republic Universe, Jennifer Ventura.

Central to Bosch’s visit is her commitment to autism awareness, a cause that resonates with her personal journey. The 25-year-old fashion designer has been vocal about her own experiences growing up...

The Leones del Escogido moved within a single victory of a back-to-back championship and their 18th historic crown after outlasting the Toros del Este 4-3 in an 11-inning marathon at Francisco A. Micheli Stadium in La Romana on Monday, 26 January 2026. With this victory, the Leones have a 3-1 lead in the Lidom Final Series, a seven game series.

The game was tied at the close of the ninth inning. With runners on first and second and one out, Erik González hit a sharp grounder to shortstop that appeared to be a textbook double-play ball. However, a throwing error by second baseman Rafael Lantigua allowed Michael De la Cruz to cross the plate, securing the go-ahead run for the visitors.

The drama had peaked earlier in the ninth when De la Cruz lined an RBI single off Joe Corbett to score Raimel Tapia, briefly giving the reigning Caribbean champions the lead. The “Orange Dynasty” fought...

The Dominican Republic reaffirmed its global tourism leadership at the 2026 International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR), closing the event with record-breaking negotiations totaling more than US$13.37 billion (approximately RD$885.68 billion), the Ministry of Tourism reports.

Tourism Minister David Collado, joined by representatives from major commercial banks and the Hotels and Tourism Association (Asonahores), described the results as “extraordinarily impressive” and a “total success.”

The bulk of the investment was secured through intensive business rounds led by the country’s top financial institutions Popular (US$6.2 billion), Banreservas (US$4.2 billion) and BHD (US$2.97 billion) leading the way.

These figures stem from over 150 high-level meetings involving 60 co-exhibiting companies. In total, the Dominican delegation conducted approximately 1,500 private...

Bookings are now open for the inaugural season of the year-round seven or 14-night MSC Opera cruise scheduled to homeport in La Romana. La Romana port offers excursions to Altos de Chavon and Casa de Campo, and Cuevas de las Maravillas. The cruise will also stop for swimming at Catalina Island, before heading to Virgin Gorda, BVI, St. John’s in Antigua and Barbuda and Fort-de-France, Martinique. The first voyage is scheduled to depart from La Romana on 16 November 2026.

MSC Cruises, the world’s third-largest cruise line and the market leader in Europe, announced the cruise as part of a major expansion of its Caribbean operations at the Fitur International Tourism Trade Fair in Madrid. The La Romana cruise is the first time the line has offered year-round sailings in the southern Caribbean.

Minister of Tourism David Collado and MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato spoke of the...

An hour and a half drive north from Punta Cana International Airport, Miches continues to develop becoming the country’s new emerging destination with new hotel and vacation property primarily focused on the Playa Esmeralda beach area. The area already has around 2,000 resort rooms open and expects to attract around 90,000 tourists this year. But many more are under construction.

During Fitur, several flagship projects were highlighted as the future of Dominican luxury and sustainability. These include Grupo Puntacana and Melia alliance to build the 600-room Paradisus Miches; the adults only 467-suites Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana and the Miches Grand, a 7,000 unit mixed-use development.

Miches is attracting global attention. It recently made The New York Times list as one of the recommended travel destinations in 2026.

Read...

The Dominican Republic has reached the top of the Travel Choice Awards in Trip Advisor for 2026.Trip Advisor explains that the Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best title celebrates the highest level of excellence in travel. It’s awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period. Out of our 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve this milestone.

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As a massive winter storm paralyzes the United States with polar temperatures and heavy snowfall, the impact is being felt thousands of kilometers away in the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic, currently the leading destination for US tourists, is facing a significant disruption to its peak winter travel season.

The “polar chaos” currently gripping the US has led to the cancellation of an estimated 16,000 flights. Because the Dominican Republic receives most of its tourists from the US market, particularly from the Northeast corridor, these cancellations represent thousands of travelers unable to reach their resorts and hotels. For a country where tourism is a primary economic driver, the sudden halt in arrivals during the busy month of January creates a ripple effect, impacting everything from local transportation to hospitality revenue.

JetBlue, the leading US carrier to the...