DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

The Chamber of Deputies has approved the second reading of an organic law to create the National Intelligence Direction (DNI), a move that has sparked intense pushback from opposition parties who warn the bill threatens fundamental constitutional rights, as reported in Hoy.

The legislation, proposed by Senate president Ricardo de los Santos, passed despite a formal abstention from opposition lawmakers. The bill now returns to the Senate to reconcile modifications before heading to the Executive Branch for enactment.

The bill seeks to regulate the National Intelligence System, granting the new DNI specialized powers to prevent and counteract imminent acts of terrorism or threats to national security.

Key updates in the latest draft include:• Anti-terrorism coordination: The DNI must act in coordination with the National Anti-Terrorism Directorate (Law No. 267-08) to protect lives and...