DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Mauricio de Vengoechea and President Luis Abinader / Diario Libre

Utilizing a legal framework dating back to the Trujillo era, President Luis Abinader has granted Dominican citizenship via “privileged naturalization” to 22 prominent foreign figures during his administration, Diario Libre reports. The list of beneficiaries spans a diverse spectrum, including former heads of state, political consultants, religious leaders, and cultural icons.

Under Law 1683 of 1948, the President of the Republic holds the authority to bypass standard immigration procedures to confer nationality upon individuals who have made “extraordinary contributions” to the nation’s social or economic fabric.

Records from the Legal Executive Branch reveal that Abinader has utilized this executive power more frequently than his predecessor. In his nearly six years in...