DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic
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President Luis Abinader will meet with former Presidents Danilo Medina (2012-2016 and 2016-2020), Leonel Fernández (1996-2000, 2004-2008, 2008-2012), and Hipólito Mejía (2000-2004) on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 at 4pm at the Ministry of Defense. The meeting comes in response to Abinader’s formal invitation sent on 30 April 2025, which was accepted by all three former Presidents.
The meeting was originally convened for the Presidential Palace, but it was later accepted by the three former statesmen to be held at the Ministry of Defense.
The Presidency reports the gathering will focus on national security in light of the growing instability in Haiti and its potential impact on the Dominican Republic. Abinader individually wrote to each former leader highlighting the urgency of the situation and the need for a unified national response. He...
First Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Minister of Kenya Musalia Mudavadi / Wikipedia
The Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex) reported that the First Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Minister of Kenya, Musalia Mudavadi, arrived on 9 May 2025 to Santo Domingo for talks with Dominican government officials. The visit is after he met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, DC on 7 May.
Mudavadi will meet with Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez to discuss bilateral issues. Following these meetings, on Tuesday, 13 May 2025 the Kenyan minister is scheduled to meet with President Luis Abinader.
Minister Mudavadi will also meet with Minister of Defense Carlos Antonio Fernandez Onofre. This is especially important given the fact that Kenya has over a thousand troops in neighboring Haiti, where the situation has been going downhill. There will be additional meetings with the...
Starting Monday, 12 May 2025, Haiti announced it will be enforcing a new regulation that prohibits the entry of foreign goods through its land border with the Dominican Republic, Diario Libre reports.
The measure, announced by Haiti’s Customs Agency (AGD), has sparked concern among importers, transporters, and traders on both sides of the border. It was initially scheduled to take effect on 7 April but was officially communicated through Circular No. DAJ/BM/AGD/03-25/00479 issued by AGD under instructions from Haiti’s Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Henceforth, all foreign goods transiting through Dominican territory must enter Haiti exclusively via maritime routes for customs processing. Land border crossings between the Dominican Republic and Haiti will no longer accept such cargo starting Monday.
The directive also warns that...
In the wake of tragic events in recent days where Haitians have been alleged perpetrators of violent acts, hundreds of people from the community of Estero Hondo in the northern province of Puerto Plata have united to march against the illegal trafficking and migration of Haitians, Listin Diario reports.
Dressed in black as a sign of mourning and carrying the Dominican flag, participants chanted “No more, not one more death.”
Residents decided to raise their voices after several families in the community have family members that have been victims to violent acts. The most recent case involved Bienvenido Acosta, 90, who lost his life after being assaulted at his residence with a fleeing Haitian national, the lead suspect.
Victims’ families joined the march, including Josefina Acosta, daughter of a victim. In statements to the media, she...
Since the beginning of the year, President Luis Abinader has traveled abroad at an average of once per month, Listin Diario reports.
In early January, he traveled to Puerto Rico for the inauguration of new governor Jennifer Gonzalez.
In February, Abinader traveled to Guyana in South America for the second time to attend an energy summit. Guyana has become an interesting part of Dominican foreign policy with proposals for assistance in agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, energy, and industry currently on the table since 2023.
The day after giving the required State of the Nation speech to Congress on 27 February, Abinader flew to Montevideo, Uruguay for the inauguration of President Yamandu Orsi. While he was there he met with Spain’s King Felipe VI and visited Uruguay’s ailing former president Jose (Pepe) Mujica in his residence.
Just days later, in early March...
President Luis Abinader witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding Friday, 9 May 2025 between the Dominican government, represented by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and DP World Dominicana, a Dubai, United Arabian Emirates company calling for an investment of US$760 million to expand the DP World Economic Zones Dominicana free zone park and increase the capacity of its port terminal located in Caucedo, half an hour from the capital city. The expansion is expected to generate US$4 billion in foreign investment.
Minister of Industry and Commerce Víctor Bisonó and DP World chairman and group CEO, Sultan Ahmed, emphasized the the Dominican Republic’s potential as a logistics hub, the significance of the investment in manufacturing when announcing a major cargo capacity expansion to position the country as the leading regional...
During the first four months of 2025, the cost of the basic food basket increased slightly across the different wage segments. The average cost of food was pegged at RD$46,728 overall in April. This represented a 0.66% increase since January.
For the lowest income quintile, the cost was set at RD$27,828.58 in January, and this went up to RD$27,968.34 in April, an increase of just 0.50%.
It should be noted that the minimum wage for workers varies according to the size of the company, with large companies paying nearly RD$28,000 and the very smallest companies paying a bit over RD$15,000.
According to the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, the year-to-year inflation rate has been 3.71% and within the 4.0%+/-1% since late in 2023. According to the results of a national survey in 2018, a bit over 70% of household incomes is the result of economic activities...
The Superintendent of Health and Labor Risks (Sisalril) has launched an educational campaign titled “Don’t fall for it” (No caigas en gancho) to alert affiliates of family health insurance plans regarding some shady practices of local health service providers called Administrators of Health Risks (ARS).
The idea behind this campaign is to alert affiliates to the possible use of possibly illegal enticements in order for the affiliate to change ARS/HMO. Such offers as money, pharmacy bonus or discounts, dental coverage or free doctor consults are among the tricky offers.
Sisalril warns its affiliates to avoid accepting a change of ARS/HMO without a real and informed agreement to the transfer, as this could well put health coverage at risk. While a current provider may be obliged to cover certain medical costs, a new provider could renege on the coverage.
The Superintendent noted that to switch...
Dominican Republic’s SOS (Sea-Land Symbiosis) is included in the finalists for the Institute of Food Technologists and Seeding The Future Foundations’s Growth Prize. The competition gathers proponents of solutions to some of the biggest issues impacting the global ag/food space today. SOS is working on solutions to dealing with seaweed that is impacting fishing and the tourism industry in the Dominican Republic.
The winners will be announced in June 2025. The three Growth Grant winners will receive US$100,000 each.
The five growth grant finalists are:• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Institute – Savanah Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI): Developing an NIR Tool for Rapid Screening of Aflatoxin-Resistant Groundnuts to Combat Aflatoxin Contamination (Ghana).• Munakyalo Agrofresh: Reducing Post-harvest Losses with Solar-Powered IoT Cooling Hubs and...
President Luis Abinader expects new Pope Leo XIV to visit the Dominican Republic soon. It would be his third visit.
It is now known that Robert Francis Prevost, on 11 September 1950 in Chicago, Illinois, of Spanish-speaking parents, and an Augustinian priest, has been at least twice to the Dominican Republic and is said to have a Dominican maternal grandfather.
At the time of his election to the Papacy, the 69-year old Cardinal Prevost was the Prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops, named to this leadership position by the late Pope Francis in 2023. Previously, the American prelate had been the Prior General of the Augustinian Order, and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Following the protocol for the inauguration of the new Pope, Vice President Raquel Peña will travel to Rome to attend the mass marking the beginning of his pontificate at St. Peter’s...
Mary Perez de Marranzini, founder of the Dominican Republic’s Rehab Association, passed away on 8 May 2025. She was 98 years old.
She was a tiny woman, with a very common name: Mary Perez. Yet she was a giant, a truly magnificent individual that changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Dominicans.
Mary Perez had a son who suffered from polio. She found that there were no Dominican institutions that could aid people such as her son. She set out to change all that, and she founded the Dominican Rehabilitation Association in 1963.
Her determination and quiet forcefulness brought into existence the non-profit that today sees about 7,000 a day in 34 different centers around the entire Dominican Republic. It would be very difficult to find another such astounding civic work in the entire 180-year history of the Dominican Republic.
Not a fixture at society events, Mary...
Many Dominican stars have had a difficult time in the opening weeks of the Major League Baseball season. Rafael Devers is not at third base for the Boston Red Sox, and he is not happy. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed a great contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, but he has yet to put up numbers that would justify his mega-salary. Juan Soto needs to produce more for the NY Mets. Fernando Tatis Jr. is looking great and his team is happy with his performance.
With all these ups and downs, it is very encouraging to follow the ball player career of Freddy Peralta, fast-ball pitcher in his eighth season for the Milwaukee Brewers. From Moca, the young pitcher has had a fairly spectacular start. In eight outings as a starting pitcher, Peralta has registered four wins against two losses. However, his ERA is just 2.18, with 48 Ks and a WHIP of 1.04, all excellent numbers that put Peralta...
The world of esports witnessed a dominant performance on 11 May 2025 at the Evolution Championship Series known as Evo Japan 2025 by Dominican gamer Samuel “MenaRD” Mena. To win the event held at the Tokyo Big Sight East Exhibition Hall from Friday, 9 May to Sunday, 11 May, Mena defeated 7,194 competitors. The cash prize money win was US$12,070.54.
MenaRD becomes the first returning winner of the Evo Japan title in the history of the tournament. The Evo Japan defending champion was one of only three non-Japanese players to make it into the top eight.
This victory qualified Mena for the Capcom Championship that gathers the elite of the Street Fighter community. Capcom XII has a cash first prize award of US$1 million. The win in Tokyo also qualified him for the Esports World Cup with another millionaire prize award.
Mena RD claimed the Evo Japan 2025 title without...
President Luis Abinader met in Washington, D.C. with US Secretary General Marco Rubio on Wednesday, 7 May 2025. As reported in Diario Libre, the meeting focused on the deepening crisis in Haiti and other areas of mutual interest.
According to a statement from the Dominican Presidency, Abinader reiterated his call for increased international intervention in Haiti, emphasizing the urgent need to bolster support to stem that country’s worsening security situation.
The Abinader administration has stated that the crisis in Haiti is the leading problem affecting the Dominican Republic. The DR shares a 391 km land border with Haiti and carries a heavy burden with the collapse of security and social services in Haiti. The continued worsening of the multidimensional crisis in Haiti has increased migration to the Dominican Republic. Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez has...
The Dominican Republic and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a landmark cybersecurity cooperation agreement in Dubai during the GISEC Global 2025 event.
Luis Soto, director of the Dominican Republic’s National Cybersecurity Center (under the National Investigations Department – DNI), and Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, director of the UAE’s Cybersecurity Council, the top officials from both countries’ leading cybersecurity agencies, signed the agreement.
During the signing ceremony, both parties discussed potential initiatives to enhance the cybersecurity ecosystem in the Dominican Republic.
Al-Kuwaiti expressed genuine interest in deepening bilateral relations with the Dominican Republic and promoting increased exchange visits between the two nations. Soto emphasized the crucial role of cybersecurity in national security and highlighted the...
The resident representative of the World Bank in the Dominican Republic, Alexandria Valerio urged the Dominican Republic to step up the pace of locally riding the wave of technological progress to transform the labor market.
Valerio cites findings in the report “The Future of Work in Central America and the Dominican Republic” that indicate that automation can create new jobs that benefit both employees and businesses, with lower costs and increased productivity.
She stresses the challenges are multiple and mentions high levels of informality, a significant number of young people who are neither working nor studying (“ninis”), and persistent gender disparities in labor force participation. There is also a mismatch between the skills taught and those needed: nearly 40% of employers report difficulties filling vacancies due to a lack of technical skills or work experience.
Adding to these...
At a time when gold prices have surged, efforts to expand the gold production in the Dominican Republic have clashed with environmental concerns. Gold exports generate millions in taxes for the Dominican government. Earthworks publishes an update on the situation.
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Environmentalists are raising concerns over the Dominican government’s recent tree-planting initiative along the border with Haiti, questioning the emphasis on non-native flamboyant trees (Delonix regia), Diario Libre reports. President Luis Abinader himself participated in planting these trees as part of the “Framboyanes por mi Patria” reforestation effort.
While the campaign mainly includes native species such as Creole mahogany, cedar, and pigeonwood, environmental activist Nelson Bautista criticized the promotion of the flamboyants, which were purchased from private nurseries by the Ministry of Defense rather than sourced from the Ministry of Environment’s nurseries.
In an interview with Diario Libre, Bautista stated: “Although only a small fraction of the thousands of trees planned for the border were flamboyants, putting the environment minister and the President at the...
The Dominican Republic continues to enjoy a high Human Development Index (HDI), despite a slight dip in life expectancy at birth, according to the latest Human Development Report 2025 released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Globally, the HDI has slowed to its lowest level in 35 years, raising concerns among UNDP officials. “This unexpected decline is a cause for alarm and requires further investigation,” said Yancun Zhang, UNDP chief statistician.
The report shows the Dominican Republic’s HDI experienced a temporary setback between 2020 and 2021, followed by a significant rebound in 2022. While the index dropped slightly by 0.002 in 2023, reaching 0.754 in 2024, the country still ranks highly compared to previous years.
However, life expectancy at birth registered a minor decline, prompting UNDP experts to call for an investigation due...
On 6 May 2025, the Public Ministry, the prosecutor arm of the Attorney General Office seizedthe property where the Jet Set nightclub operated, following the devastating collapse that claimed the lives of more than 234 people and injured over 180 others during a live concert featuring merengue artist Rubby Pérez, who was among the fatalities. The tragedy occurred in the early hours of 8 April 2025.
Accompanied by attorneys for club owner Antonio Espaillat, including Miguel Valerio—who is coordinating the defense—the Public Ministry placed a “seized” sign on the establishment. When approached by journalists from Listín Diario, Valerio stated that this action is standard procedure during an investigation.
Meanwhile, complaints and reports from injured victims continue to pour into the National District Attorney’s Office.
Listin Diario reports that the Public...
There are growing concerns that the law aimed at protecting minors is inadvertently becoming a shield for young offenders. The reasoning behind the law is simple: the government decided that age reflected maturity, and since their brains have yet to develop fully, they should be given second chances. However, this law, intended to protect the young, has backfired on adults.
Given the low risks, rebellious teenagers have been committing crimes repeatedly. Ranging from stealing to even murder, minors have been exempt from the punishments they should be receiving.
Lawyer Amadeo Peralta called for reform of the Juvenile Code. He says as it is, it provides excessive guarantees for crimes by minors. The lawyer is legal counsel for the victims of a 17-year old boy who struck three members of a family with his vehicle, including the mother who died, and daughters left in critical...
Roberto Rodríguez Marchena, the known mastermind of political communication during the two terms of former President Danilo Medina, passed away on 6 May 2025 of a heart attack. He served as Medina’s director of communications during and after the presidency. He was 69 years old.
Listin Diario reports that Rodríguez Marchena was more than just a spokesperson for the government. He was the executive and strategic voice behind every state message during Medina’s two terms. He was an architect of political communication, playing a pivotal role in governmental communications and serving as a member of the PLD’s Political Committee.
Read more in Spanish:
El Cierre Digital, a Spanish publication, speculates that emeritus King of Spain Juan Carlos I could travel to the Dominican Republic to coincide with the visit of his granddaughter, Princess Leonor who will be in the DR for five days (19-24 May 2025) as part of her naval training with the Juan Sebastian Elcano tallship that is touring the Americas.
Queen Letizia traveled to Panama, where the ship made a stopover, to meet with her daughter.
Read more in Spanish:
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Luis Abinader / Presidency
President Luis Abinader will travel to Washington, DC, on Wednesday, 7 May 2025 to receive the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) Leadership Award. The prestigious honor will be presented during a gala dinner attended by members of Congress, high-ranking White House officials, and international leaders.
Abinader is scheduled to depart in the morning accompanied by Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza and Minister of Foreign Relations Roberto Álvarez. Joining them are the director of the Presidential Security Council (Cusep) and head of presidential security, Major General Jimmy Arias, along with assistants Eilyn Beltran and Noelia Shephard.
Later on Wednesday, the President will hold a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Abinader is expected to...
King Felipe VI of Spain, US Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor and President Luis Abinader / Diario Libre
The Dominican Republic shone on the global stage as it played host to the prestigious 2025 World Law Congress, transforming the nation into a hub for legal minds from around the world on 4, 5 and 6 May. More than 300 jurists from 70 countries gathered under the banner of “New Generations and the Rule of Law: Forging the Future,” turning Santo Domingo into the “global capital of the rule of law” for three days.
The congress ended on Tuesday, 6 May 2025 with a powerful closing ceremony attended by President Luis Abinader and Spain’s King Felipe VI. The highlight of the event was the presentation of the World Peace & Liberty Award, the highest honor bestowed by the World Jurist Association, to US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. New...
President Luis Abinader and King Felipe VI of Spain / Presidency
President Luis Abinader and Spain’s King Felipe VI closed the 2025 World Law Congress on Tuesday, 6 May 2025, an event that brought together dozens of legal experts from around the world to discuss growing threats to fundamental freedoms and human rights amidst the rise of authoritarian regimes, Noticias SIN reports.
In his address, President Abinader emphasized the country’s significant reforms to establish an independent, modern, and transparent justice system, grounded in institutional collaboration, gender equity, and human dignity. However, he cautioned that substantial challenges remain, including the fight against corruption and safeguarding liberties.
King Felipe VI reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law, stressing that a robust political model is one where equality...
President Luis Abinader and Spain’s King Felipe VI inaugurated the first phase of the Universidad La Romana (Uniromana) on Tuesday, 6 May 2025. The new institution, promoted by the Fundación Universitaria Iberoamericana (Funiber), is set to begin classes in September.
During the ceremony, Funiber president Santos Gracia Villar emphasized their commitment to accessibility, stating that “no one should have to give up studying for economic reasons.” He highlighted Funiber’s presence in 30 countries across several continents, with its headquarters in Barcelona, Spain.
Franklin García Fermín, Dominican Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Mescyt), explained that Uniromana aims for academic excellence and provides students the opportunity to begin their studies in the Dominican Republic and finish in Spain. This vision, he said, transcends borders, integrates knowledge, and...
Visiting King Felipe VI of Spain and President Luis Abinader joined National District Mayor Carolina Mejía to inaugurate a monument celebrating peace and freedom on the Km 7 of the Malecón promenade on 6 May 2025. The sculpture “Flame” by Carlos Albert represents the Rainer Arnold Award created by the World Jurist Association and the World Law Foundation to recognize excellence in the constitutional investigation in the legal realm. King Felipe is visiting to participate in the closing events of the World Law Congress and other official activities.
The monument, titled “Peace and Freedom,” stands as a symbol of the historical ties between Spain and the Dominican Republic, highlighting shared values of democracy and human rights. During the ceremony, President Abinader emphasized the importance of remembrance and the promotion of...
The Dominican Association of Newspapers (SDD) urges the passing of the recently introduced bill aimed at protecting freedom of expression and audiovisual media in the country. In a public statement, the SDD praised the bill’s inclusion of key principles such as freedom of expression without prior censorship, universal access to the internet, and equitable use of media space.
The Dominican Association of Newspapers (SDD) expressed strong support for the proposed Organic Law on Freedom of Expression and Audiovisual Media, submitted by the Executive Branch to the National Congress on 2 May 2025. The association stated that passing this law before the Inter-American Press Association’s General Assembly in October in Santo Domingo would demonstrate the country’s commitment to freedom of expression and democratic values.
The organization also applauded...
The Dominican Republic is positioning itself as a regional leader in digital transformation with the inaugural Indotel 4.0 International Congress. The two-day event, taking place 6-7 May 2025, bringing together business leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, and national and international experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.
The congress shone a spotlight on five key technologies set to shape the Dominican Republic’s future: artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), cybersecurity, blockchain, and big data. Through high-level panels, conferences, and presentations, attendees explored how these technologies are revolutionizing industries, optimizing processes, driving economic value, and creating new job opportunities for Dominicans.
Vice President Raquel Peña emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “This...
The Migration Agency (DGM) announced it will impose hefty fines on businesses caught employing foreign workers illegally. The move is part of a broader campaign to eradicate the practice nationwide, N Digital reports.
The agency’s legal department stated that penalties will be levied according to Article 132 of the country’s General Migration Law No. 285-04, which mandates fines ranging from five to thirty minimum public sector salaries for those who hire or facilitate employment for foreigners without legal authorization to work in the Dominican Republic. The size of the fine will correspond to the number of undocumented workers found at each inspected establishment.
The DGM warned that such operations will continue across the country due to numerous complaints about the indiscriminate use of unauthorized foreign labor. This practice often leads to...
El Informe con Alicia Ortega on Channel 9 presented a new video showing a hole in the roof of the JetSet, with a drizzle of water falling down a blue plastic material shortly before the roof collapse. Some 234 persons died as a result of the collapse of the roof of the Santo Domingo nightclub during a merengue concert by Rubby Perez.
Follow the story: Noticias SIN
7 May 2025
Media reports continue to appear on the damages caused by flooding primarily to the north of the country. In Puerto Plata, a video circulating online showed the freak weather phenomenon of hail falling. Indomet reports the rains will continue through Wednesday, 7 May 2025 and urges people to follow the specific weather reports for their area.
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Kenny Atkinson has been crowned the 2025 NBA Coach of the Year, steering the Cleveland Cavaliers to an impressive 64-18 season, topping the Eastern Conference. El Nuevo Diario recalls that this prestigious award highlights how a pivotal stint in Latin American basketball, specifically with the Dominican Republic’s national team, marked Atkinson’s rise to prominence in the NBA.
The newspaper remembers that 10 years ago, in 2015, Atkinson took on the challenge of coaching the Dominican squad with the goal of securing the team’s first-ever Olympic Games qualification. The deal, announced by then-general manager Eduardo Najri, was for one year with an option for an additional year. The Dominican team would compete in the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship, held in Mexico from August 25 to September 6.
At the time, Atkinson was an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks...
During the US Senate confirmation hearing, US ambassador nominee to the Dominican Republic, Leah Francis Campos spoke of how counteracting the growing influence of China in the Dominican Republic would be a priority of her administration. “…. I will work tirelessly to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s influence in the Dominican Republic and throughout the hemisphere,” she said during the confirmation hearing.
She spoke of what she described as the “robust, dynamic relationship between the two countries. More than two million Americans of Dominican heritage reside in the US, five million US tourists visit the DR every year. The US enjoys a more than US$5.5 billion trade surplus with the DR with more than US$30 billion in bilateral trade. “These connections provide a strong foundation for collaboration on key issues that impact both of our nations,” she said.
She also said that among her top priorities, if confirmed, will be to work closely with the Dominican government to...
President Luis Abinader formally has convened former Presidents Danilo Medina (2012-2016, 2016-2020), Leonel Fernandez (1996-2000, 2004-2008 and 2008-2012) and Hipólito Mejia (2000-2004) to a meeting on Monday, 14 May 2025 at 1pm at the Presidential Palace to discuss the Dominican Republic’s stand as the multidimensional crisis in Haiti worsens and it seems the world is leaving all up to the Dominican Republic to bear the brunt of the chaotic situation in that country. The meeting would be in time for the President to subsequently announce the outcome during the Monday press conference of the day.
The high-level meeting seeks to build a political consensus given the unprecedented Haitian crisis and its direct impact on the Dominican Republic.
Opposition leader, former President Leonel Fernandez said he accepts the invitation yet...
The Dominican economy is showing signs of slowing down. GDP grew 2.7% in the first quarter, down 4.5% from the growth reported for the same period in 2024. This is expected as the country reacts to external influences.
N Digital reports that the DR has the recent buffer of the decline in oil prices and the recent depreciation of the US dollar in the local exchange market. Economist Henri Hebrard explained that the National Budget considered the barrel of oil would be at US$81.30 when it is averaging US$59.55. Likewise, the government had budgeted the peso to decline to RD$63.15 to the US$ when it is now hovering around RD$58.96.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank emphasizes the resilience of the economy. The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) reported that preliminary figures from the Monthly Economic Activity Indicator (IMAE) for March 2025 show a...
The Ministry of Defense is now behind the new military equipping industry. President Luis Abinader inaugurated the first phase of a state-of-the-art vehicle assembly plant on Thursday, 1 May 2025, marking a revival for the government’s military industry. The Ministry of Defense described the plant as a technological advancement, institutional strengthening, and the Armed Forces’ unwavering commitment to national development.
“Today is a day of affirmation and rebirth,” said President Luis Abinader during the ceremony. “We stand on land steeped in symbolism and valor: San Cristóbal, birthplace of the Dominican Republic’s first Constitution and epicenter of the patriotic spirit that has shaped our national identity since 1844.”
The President emphasized the project’s commitment to strategic self-sufficiency, efficient public spending, and intelligent...
María Isabel Castillo Báez / Wikipedia
The Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex) announced on Friday, 2 May 2025 the appointment of new ambassadors to key posts around the world. The moves are outlined in Decree 239-25. Others were announced in previous decrees.
The appointments are:Angie Shakira Martínez Tejera, previously ambassador to Jamaica, will now serve as the Dominican Republic’s ambassador to the Republic of South Korea. She replaces Federico Cuello who will be working at the Ministry of Foreign Relations in Santo Domingo.
Manuel Antonio Durán Pilarte has been tapped as the new ambassador to Jamaica.
Joan Margarita Cedano Garda de Madera will lead the Dominican mission to the European Union.
Erika Ylonca Álvarez Rodríguez will serve concurrently as ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda, based in South Africa.
Lourdes Margarita Franco-Zimmermann...
Participants attending the 29th World Law Congress in Santo Domingo addressed key issues impacting the Dominican Republic. President Luis Abinader and the King of Spain, Felipe VI will participate in the closing of the Congress on 6 May 2025. Some 300 panelists from more than 70 countries are participating in the event.
Héctor Schamis, advisor to the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), lamented in his remarks during the World Law Congress held in Santo Domingo that the fight against international organized crime is not considered a global priority, despite it being “an unparalleled industry and a hub of operations that states struggle to compete with.”
He noted that the world currently faces multiple challenges, particularly bilateral ones, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and other issues, which obscure...
Princess Leonor of Asturias, daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, is a midshipman on board the Spanish Navy Juan Sebastian Elcano tall ship and is on the second leg of her naval training voyage. She is expected on 19 May 2025 in Santo Domingo on one of the stops of the 97th Juan Sebastian Elcano’s tour to six countries over seven months. The ship will be in port from 19 to 24 May 2025, with several visitation opportunities.
The Juan Sebastian Elcano tall ship will be docking in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo.
The ships 2025 journey began in Cadiz, Spain on 13 January 2025 from where the tallship sailed to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Salvador de Bahía (Brasil), Montevideo (Uruguay), Punta Arenas y Valparaíso (Chile), El Callao (Perú), Panama City, and Cartagena de Indias and Santa Marta (Colombia). Next are the stops in...
A Dominican jeweler who had misplaced a backpack with a laptop, cash and jewelry worth around US$100,000 in Newark International Airport in New Jersey, USA was reunited with his belongings after he lucked out when it was handed by mistake by a cab driver to an anonymous 20-year old Jewish student traveler. When the student told his mom she suggested they deliver it to Shmira, a Brooklyn public safety group that was able to return it to its rightful owner. The owner happened to be Dominican jeweler who works in the NY Diamond District.
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Two individuals from Costa Rica now face charges after trying to export infant specimens of two endemic, threatened species from Colombia to the Dominican Republic. The man and woman now face charges of animal cruelty, wildlife trafficking, and illicit use of natural resources.
Colombian environmental and drug trafficking officials caught on in time and the foreign traffickers were apprehended during the operation at the Medellin international airport, Jose Maria Cordova International Airport.
The six infant primates, belonging to species critically endangered, were found sedated and concealed in the groin areas of the two Costa Ricans. According to the Regional Autonomous Corporation of the Black and Nare River Basins (Cornare), two of the animals died due to the extreme conditions they endured, while the other four were taken in critical condition to the Wildlife...
The death toll as a result of the collapse of the roof during a Rubby Perez merengue performance at the JetSet Club in Santo Domingo is now at 234, after two more victims did not make it. The tragedy occurred shortly after 12:44am on Tuesday, 8 April 2025.
What is new in the case is that the main owner of the JetSet Club, Antonio Espaillat, who has yet to be officially summoned for questioning by the Attorney General Office (PGR), continues to announce his defense lawyers. After it was revealed that Jorge Luis Polanco, who had served during the first administration of Luis Abinader as the government’s deal maker for recovering property in the many corruption cases, was appointed coordinator of the legal defense of the businessman, the business lawyer Miguel Valerio is now named the head legal counsel. He will be working with fellow criminal lawyer Ramon Emilio Nunez...
Source: LluviasRD, Instagram
A trough over the past long weekend caused flooding last week, especially in northern provinces and the Central Mountain Range. Residents and farmers in the area around the city of Constanza, and nearby farmlands in Tireo, reported damages from flooding. The road leading to the Aguas Blancas waterfall in Constanza was damaged by debris from the gushing waterfall and river.
Traffic along the Duarte Highway was impacted by the intense rains. In Moca, a man was reported dead when dragged by a flooded gully.
In Puerto Plata, there was a crack in the road in the area of Altamira, also the result of flooding waters.
The Dominican Weather Institute (Indomet) forecasts more rain for this week.
Those who enjoy lively flamenco Spanish dancing are invited to the “Visa para un Duende”, the show created by Leslie Ricardo and her flamenco school in Gazcue, Santo Domingo. The performance includes the students of other flamenco schools in the DR. The performances will be on 21 and 22 May at 8pm at the Casa de San Pablo on Av. Sarasota, Santo Domingo. Tickets are RD$1,000 and are for sale at tix.do
6 May 2025
Colombia’s Shakira is revving up for her US tour stops with a concert in Boston in the books. Over the weekend, she called out David Ortiz, the beloved Boston Red Sox slugger. The playful banter on Instagram was described as the kind of crossover moment fans live for. In her banter, she called for a dance-off with Ortiz at the iconic ballpark.
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Once more, Paris Olympic gold medal winner Marileidy Paulino showed her elite class when she clocked in first in the 400 and 200 meter races in the Grand Slam athletics meet in Miami, Florida. She takes home US$100,000 in cash prize money for each win.
In 2024, Paulino was the queen of the 400. In 2025, she has added 200m races, too. In the Miami race, she clocked in first at 22.30, a new national record for the Dominican Republic, and her own personal best.
Right behind her was Salw Eid Naser, competing for Bahrein, and who has the peculiarity of being coached by Dominican Jose Ludwig Rubio, the same coach who delivered the DR’s 200 meter silver medalist in London 2012 Olympics, Luguelin Santos. Coming in third, was US runner Isabella Whittaker, who clocked 22.76.
On Friday, 2 May 2025, in the same tournament, Paulino clocked in at 49.21 in the 400m, to win first...
Javier Figueroa of Puerto Rico took the 2025 Cap Cana Ironman 70.3, repeating his previous victory. He clocked 4 hours, four minutes and 55 seconds. Second best was Diego Arteaga of Ecuador and Mathieu Teoret of Canada, as reported by Punta Cana Bavaro News.
Erick García Rossi made history as the first Dominican to finish the race. Argentine Brenda Schaupp finished as the first for women in the event.
The winners praised the local hospitality and race setup. The organizers even claimed an entire stretch of the Coral Highway, for the safety of the bikers.
Athletes from 43 countries participated this 2025. Around 200 local competitors registered for the competition.
The Ironman will be back on 17 May 2026 in Cap Cana, announced the organizers, SBR Sports.
The Ironman 70.3 is regarded as a more family-friendly event than the world renown...
Juan Trinidad and President Luis Abinader / Noticias SIN
President Luis Abinader was at the Casa Museo Juan Trinidad, the art museum of sculptor Juan Trinidad, centrally located in Bonao, Monseñor Nouel province, less than an hour north from the capital city, off the Duarte Highway.
For the occasion, sculptor Juan Trinidad presented President Abinader with the sculpture, “Transcendence of My President,” crafted from precious wood with bronze accents. Trinidad says it is a tribute to Abinader’s leadership and impact on the country’s contemporary history.
President Abinader expressed his gratitude to Trinidad, emphasizing the importance of art as a catalyst for social transformation and cultural identity. “It is an honor to receive this piece, not only because of Master Juan Trinidad’s extraordinary talent but also because it symbolizes our...
The Dominican Republic now has a St. Regis resort, the second of the Marriott luxury brand in the Caribbean, after the first Aruba resort.
The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort has 200 guestrooms, including 36 suites with direct plunge pool access, all with ocean views. The Presidential Suite spans 6,500 square feet and has two bedrooms, a separate living room, media room, two and a half bathrooms, and more.
The hotel announced its guests have a choice of nine dining venues on property, including its flagship Nina Restaurant, helmed by Peruvian Chef Diego Muñoz. The restaurant offers a range of dishes complemented by ocean views. Additionally, the Uma Wine Cellar Room offers a private dining experience with a bespoke menu curated by Chef Muñoz.
The resort offers a broad international cuisine experience but A&B have added a signature Bloody Mary, the “Quisqueya Mary,” inspired by a...
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