DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Kristi Noem, the former US Secretary of Homeland Security, met with President Luis Abinader in Punta Cana on Sunday, 22 March 2026 to discuss regional security. The meeting was hours before President Luis Abinader traveled to France. Noem was recently appointed Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas multinational military and security coalition, following the 7 March Shield of the Americas regional heads of government summit in Miami, Florida.

The United States Embassy in Santo Domingo, through Public Affairs Counselor Chelsia Hetrick, confirmed to Listin Diario that President Luis Abinader and Special Envoy Kristi Noem signed a Declaration of Intent in Punta Cana on 22 March 2026. The document is designed to set the base for “deepening biometric cooperation.” According to the US Embassy, this strategic agreement aims to strengthen border security and facilitate legal travel while...