DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Minister of Education Luis Miguel de Camps has unveiled a comprehensive plan for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond. His vision centers on a management model that prioritizes students, teachers, families, civil society, and public servants. De Camps emphasized that improving the education system requires the active participation of all sectors.

De Camps took over the position for the start of the second term of President Luis Abinader. In Abinader’s first term, De Camps served as minister of labor.

De Camps presented the Ministry of Education’s “Roadmap 2025–2028” that aims to transform the pre-university system with a strong focus on core skills. The National Initial Literacy Plan seeks to ensure that 70% of third-grade students achieve mastery in reading and mathematics. To support this, there will be a renewed emphasis on teacher evaluation and...

Source: INTEC

Thinking of the collective good and what it means to be a citizen will be back in schools with a curriculum change announced by the new minister of Education.

Education Minister Luis Miguel de Camps announced that the subject of Ethics and Civics is being reintroduced into the national curriculum and will be a mandatory course for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.

De Camps emphasized that value-based education extends beyond mere content delivery, aiming to shape responsible citizens. This initiative, he stated, reflects a commitment to establishing the subject as a specific and compulsory component of the educational framework.

“This particular point has been one of the most prominent elements in all the conversations we’ve had in recent months,” De Camps remarked, highlighting the widespread support for the move.

The minister clarified that the introduction...

Eduardo Sanz Lovatón / DGA

Dominican exports have demonstrated robust growth this year, with figures reaching an impressive US$5.64 billion to May 2025, driven by increased shipments to key markets such as the United States and Haiti, the Customs Agency reports.

In a remarkable achievement, Dominican exports hit a historic high in May 2025, totaling US$1.378 million. This represents a significant 13.4% increase compared to the same month last year, underscoring the resilience of the nation’s trade sector amidst ongoing geopolitical and commercial pressures impacting global commerce.

Cumulatively, for the first five months of the year, exports have maintained a strong upward trajectory, reaching the aforementioned US$5.64 billion. This accumulated figure reflects an 8.6% growth rate. Free trade zones have been a significant contributor to this success, accounting for 62.5% of...

The Migration Agency has kept the pressure on and for the first time this 2025 has been stopping all sorts of transporters and people traffickers assisting Haitians in their travel to the Dominican Republic. In the past, the military and the Migration Agency would have looked the other way. Recently, El Nacional reported a bus was detained with 77 undocumented Haitian nationals.

Given the increasing migration pressures, the number of arrests by the local authorities is on the rise. SUV, trucks and buses of all sizes are being stopped several times a week, with the undocumented Haitians arrested for deportation. The effort comes at a very high cost to Dominican taxpayers.

Hospital services demand on the declineThe pressures and arrests have resulted in a decline in the number of Haitians requesting the free services at public hospitals. The DR was on the way to...

A crucial court hearing concerning a lawsuit against mining giant Barrick Gold has been postponed until 24 June 2025, as environmental organizations press for the suspension of the company’s operations and the halt of a controversial new tailings dam project, Listin Diario reports. The Ministry of Environment cleared the construction of the second tailings dam in the province, but this has met with protests from community members and environmental groups.

Judge Lauda del Carmen Canaán of the First Chamber of the Superior Administrative Tribunal granted the delay at the request of the Ministry of Environment’s representative, allowing the plaintiffs more time to thoroughly examine the case file.

The lawsuit, filed on 19 May 2025 by the Institute of Lawyers for Environmental Protection (Insaproma) and other groups, seeks to suspend Barrick Gold’s activities in the Zambrana community, located in Cotuí, Sánchez Ramírez province. The legal action also aims to prevent the...

Po Xie / El Día

Judge Fátima Veloz of the National District’s Permanent Attention Court on Saturday, 7 June 2025, set a bond of RD$100,000 (RD$10,000 in cash) and periodic check-ins for Chinese businessman Po Xie, owner of the Mudan store on Av. Duarte. Xie is accused of assaulting a lawyer from the Migration Agency (DGM) during an inspection that led to the detention of 35 undocumented immigrants.

Freddy Manuel Díaz, Xie’s lawyer, provided the information.

The prosecution had asked for a RD$200,000-peso (RD$20,000 cash deposit) cash bond, a travel ban without prior judicial authorization, and periodic appearances before the investigating prosecutor.

Xie had been arrested on 5 June at around 2pm in the San Carlos neighborhood of the National District, pursuant to a judicial order issued for the alleged assault.

Read more in...

Antonio Espaillat / N Digital Multimedia

A former employee of the once very popular Santo Domingo nightclub Jet Set has revealed he repeatedly warned owner Antonio Espaillat about the deteriorating condition of the club’s roof before its catastrophic collapse two months ago. At least 236 people are reported dead and more than 150 injured when the roof collapsed after midnight on 8 April 2025, marking it as the worst civilian disaster in Dominican history.

Gregory Adames, identified as one of 68 plaintiffs now pursuing legal action against Espaillat and the club’s other partners, made the disclosure during an interrogation on Tuesday, 10 June 2025 by a team of prosecutors led by Wilson Camacho, head of the Public Ministry’s Prosecution Department.

During the interrogation, Adames reportedly presented compelling evidence, including text messages and videos he would have sent...

Renowned musician and songwriter Rafael Solano marked his 94th birthday with a special concert featuring several artists who performed his compositions, El Dia reports. The event, “A Puerto Plata por Amor” (To Puerto Plata with Love), took place at the Plaza Independencia and drew audiences from across the country.

The concert showcased a diverse range of musical genres, with performances by Cecilia García, Niní Cáffaro and Adalgisa Pantaleón, all of whom have shared a musical bond with Solano throughout their careers. Other notable singers included Fátima Franco, Flor Canela, Paín Bencosme, and Rubén Mirabal, accompanied by saxophonists Juan Colón and Sandy Gabriel and a band with 20 musicians.

Solano himself attended the entire concert, relishing in hearing his creations performed by the invited artists and reminiscing about his musical beginnings in the very same park where...

In addressing the audience attending the Third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, President Luis Abinader called for funding and attention to resolve the climate change issue caused by sargassum. Sargassum is impacting fishing and tourism in the Caribbean. President Abinader reminded that this proliferation directly impacts biodiversity, public health, and strategic sectors such as tourism and fishing, which are fundamental pillars of island economies.

“We need this threat to be recognized for what it is: a regional emergency. We must act as the community we are, with shared responsibility and active solidarity. The sea that unites us as a region also calls for a collective response. Therefore, we reiterate our call for the United Nations General Assembly to address this situation urgently and activate a global, coordinated response,” said President Abinader when...

Max Puig / Presidency

Max Puig, the executive vice president of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism (CNCCMDL), Max Puig says the government needs to create more awareness in young people of the damages caused by climate change and how the new generations will pay the price for the lack of corrective actions.

Puig spoke of a survey of young people (6,093 students in 341 schools in 18 regions nationwide) carried out by Gallup polling firm to determine the perception of the population regarding climate change and its effects. He said one of the findings that creates the most concern is that while people’s concern has increased, the awareness of the causes and the consequences of climate change among the population has declined.

Puig said the government is committed to develop initiations to educate and create an awareness in the...

Las Parras Jail / José Peguero / Youtube

YouTube channel guru Jose Peguero toured the Las Parras jail with Roberto Santana, the consultant on jails to the Presidency, as the Abinader administration prepares the jail built by former Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez to receive its first 2,000 inmates in be accommodated in the first of four quadrants at the large jail.

Each building has four floors, with washing machines installed in the first floor, a barber shop in the second, mental health office in the third floor, and deposit area for sheets, etc on the fourth floor. The first quadrant has a park and sports courts for the recreation of the inmates.

The jail with capacity for 8,000 inmates was inaugurated in the last weeks of the Danilo Medina administration in August 2020. Its construction was handled by the Attorney General Office under Rodriguez. Rodriguez...

The Ministry of Public Works says that the collapse of four lightposts on the Francisco Rosario Sanchez Bridge (Puente de la 17) does not have anything to do with the repair works or the state of disrepair of the most northern bridge over the Ozama River.

For safety purposes now, just take the Juan Bosch Bridge or the Ramon Matias Mella or Puente de la Bicicleta when crossing the Ozama River. Bottom line, the Francisco Rosario Sanchez Bridge (Puente de la 17) does have issues.

On Monday, 9 June 2025, four lighting posts along the Francisco Rosario Sanchez Bridge (Puente de la 17), collapsed, impacting the traffic on the most northern bridge that crosses the Ozama River between the National District and East Santo Domingo. Traffic on the south side of the bridge was interrupted. The light posts fell at around 11am on Monday, 9 June 2025 in a kind of domino effect, leaving several vehicles trapped.

Brigades of workers from the Ministry of Public Works, the EdeEste power...

Merchants are estimating their losses at RD$500 to RD$700 million as a result of a blaze that consumed an industrial building at the Merca Santo Domingo farm produce market in northern Santo Domingo on Sunday, 8 June 2025. The fire broke out after 5pm when the market had closed.

As reported, most of the merchants were uninsured. The government has said it will assist the merchants to restore their businesses. The merchants lost their inventories.

65 to 100 merchants have lost their merchandise and seek restitution from the government. The merchants report losses in their stocks of rice, beans, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks, among other goods.

The authorities have yet to give an explanation as to what caused the fire. The market falls under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture. Initial reports say that the firefighters were slow to get to...

Wander Franco / Diario Libre

Prosecutors have concluded their presentation of evidence against suspended Tampa Bays’ slugger Wander Samuel Franco Aybar and Martha Vanessa Chevalier Almonte, the mother of a teenage victim of sexual abuse, wrapping up with the presenting of 165 pieces of evidence of wrongdoings.

During the fourth day of the trial, which includes charges of child sex abuse against Franco Aybar and charges of sexual exploitation and money laundering against the victim’s mother, prosecutors Claudio Cordero and José Martínez emphasized the strength of their case. They expressed confidence that the evidence presented is sufficient for a conviction.

“The prosecution’s experts clearly established conversations between the accused parties, confirming the sexual abuse perpetrated by Franco Aybar and the mother’s acceptance of payments to remain silent and allow the...

The Public Ministry has requested a four-month extension to formally file charges against the defendants in the Intrant case, who have been held under coercive measures since October 10, 2024.

The prosecution’s request was made on July 2 and will be heard on July 17. In the eight months that Judge Fátima Veloz granted the Public Ministry to file conclusive charges against Hugo Beras, Jochy Gómez, and five others allegedly involved in a network that defrauded the Dominican State through a traffic light project in the National District and Greater Santo Domingo, several investigations have been conducted.

The most notable action taken by prosecutors was a series of raids on Thursday, 5 June 2025 in Punta Cana, La Romana, and the capital city. Among those targeted in the raids, only the journalist Aquiles Jiménez has been identified.

Read more in...

The National Weather Institute (Indomet) is reporting the Saharan Dust is back turning the usually blue skies into a misty grey. Indomet expects the situation to prevail until this coming Sunday, 15 June 2025.

The forecast is mixed with rains expected from the eastern province of La Altagracia to Samana in the northeast. Rains are also forecast for Greater Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal, Peravia and Barahona on the southern coast.

Heavier rain is expected in Monte Plata, Sanchez Ramirez, Duarte, San Juan de la Maguana, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez and Elias Piña provinces.

Follow the weather report: Indomet Noticias SIN...

President Luis Abinader was in Miches on Friday, 6 June 2025 for the formal opening of the Viva Miches by Wyndham Resort. The President attributed the boom of Miches as the next great Dominican beach destination to the strong public-private alliance that is in place and working. Miches is located an hour and a half drive (about 100 km) from the Punta Cana International Airport to its south.

The Wyndham hotel chain opened its latest resort in the Dominican Republic last weekend, with both President Luis Abinader and Minister of Tourism David Collado there to cut the ribbon.

The 538-room, US$80 million-dollar project Viva Miches is located on Esmeralda Beach.

This particular property continues the Wyndham Green initiative, and the entire chain in the Dominican Republic distinguishes itself for its commitment to sustainable...

Authorities from the Pro-Pedernales Trust Fund have announced that the Cabo Rojo Consortium, led by the Puntacana Group, has been selected as the government’s strategic partner for Cabo Rojo. It is reported that Puntacana Group submitted the best proposal, meeting all requirements of the Competitive Reference Process No. FID-SE-0001.

The Puntacana Group is the owner of the Punta Cana International Airport and has been the original developer of tourism ventures in the Punta Cana area in the east of the country.

As reported, the Puntacana Group’s proposal was highly regarded for its solid experience in developing world-class tourist destinations, as well as its technical and financial capabilities. These qualities positioned the group as the ideal partner for this public-private alliance.

As part of the agreement, the Puntacana Group will invest millions...

Low-cost carrier W2fly has announced 18 weekly flights on routes connecting Madrid and several cities in Portugal with the Dominican Republic. This move is part of a strategy to strengthen air connections between Europe and the Caribbean, amid growing interest in Dominican tourist destinations.

The route expansion starts in July with new direct flights from Madrid and major Portuguese cities to various Dominican cities, including Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, and Santiago.

W2fly is gaining popularity with the local and international public for its modern aircraft and punctuality. The airline is expanding in the Caribbean and Latin America offering accessible flight options for tourists and business travelers.

Minister of Tourism David Collado recently made the announcement emphasizing that the arrival of new direct flights...

Even before the flights began, the competition effect was positive for consumers. Leading airlines serving the routes began dropping their fares to keep their customers from being lured by the new competition.

On Wednesday, 4 June 2025, Tourism Minister David Collado was at Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo to send off the first Arajet flight on its new route to San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport. Arajet is the leading Dominican-based airline and now flies to 28 destinations in the Americas.

“Today, we continue making history with Arajet’s first flight to Puerto Rico, a new route that strengthens the historic ties between Borinquen and Quisqueya,” Minister Collado stated. The inaugural flight departed Las Américas International Airport at 12:20pm and landed at Luis Muñoz Marín Airport 40 minutes later.

“For our country, it is vital to...

Summer is here and with summer come long hot days. To cool off, tourists visiting the Dominican Republic delight in drinking beer, with locally produced Presidente beer very popular. But a local doctor raises a red flag telling tourists to beware. Drinking all that beer is not hydrating. And when you are at the beach under the strong sun, you want to stay hydrated.

The technical explanation is that while beer contains water, it also has alcohol, which is a diuretic. While beer can initially hydrate you, the diuretic effect of alcohol in beer ultimately leads to fluid loss, making it less effective as a hydration tool than water.

It is that any alcoholic drink will trick the body into thinking there is not enough salt in your system. So your body tries to maintain a balance between salt and water.

Read more in...

President Luis Abinader and his wife Raquel Arbaje are received by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte / Presidency

President Luis Abinader has traveled to Nice, France to attend the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), scheduled for 8-10 June 2025. The event, hosted by the United Nations focuses on advancing sustainable ocean governance, climate resilience, and the protection of marine ecosystems.

The UN Ocean Conference follows the 2023 report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which warned of irreversible damage to marine ecosystems without urgent action. Abinader’s participation underscores the Dominican Republic’s commitment to global environmental stewardship, as the nation faces rising threats from coastal erosion and overfishing.

When in France, Abinader will hold a bilateral meeting with French President...

The mid-week meeting of the Economic and Social Council (CES) saw President Luis Abinader and the three living former Presidents, Leonel Fernandez (1996-2000, 2004-2008, 2008-2012), Hipolito Mejia (2000-2004) and Danilo Medina (2012-2016 and 2016-2020), reach agreements on actions to be taken with regards to Haiti.

According to the spokesperson at the Presidential Palace, the President and his predecessors agreed to send a formal request to the United Nations Security Council requesting their support to reshape the UN Multi-national Mission to Support Security in Haiti and move it towards a hybrid mission with UN leadership regarding logistics and operations. The letter emphasized the growing power of the organized gangs such as Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif and the potential for transnational criminal activities, drug trafficking, and terrorism.

The letter was sent to the chiefs of state of the 15 nations currently seated in the Security Council, especially the five permanent...

The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic released data on inflation on Friday, 6 June 2025, in contradiction to the rising prices of food people are complaining about when visiting supermarkets.

Inflation in May was just 0.08% over April, and the year-to-year inflation was pegged at 3.84%. These figures are in tune with the Central Bank’s projections of 4.0% +/-1%, and certainly one of the lowest inflation rates in Latin America.

What is called the “underlying” inflation rate, one which does not compute the more volatile goods and services and is more associated with monetary issues, is no said to be 4.22%, also within parameters of the Central Bank.

According to the Central Bank’s report that 0.08% inflation over April is due to a reduction of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages category that was set at (-0.16% in May). The report indicates the 0.16% drop in foods was...

The Executive Branch is following the developments of a bill that would create the Ministry of Justice in the Dominican Republic under the Presidency, leading to debates over judicial reform and transparency. The bill restructures the coordination among judicial bodies and redefines the roles of the Attorney General Office, removing the responsibility with jails. Civil records would be under the umbrella of the Ministry of Justice. These are presently exclusively managed by the Central Electoral Board (JCE), an autonomous institution.

The Senate has passed a first reading on the bill that establishes the structure and functions of the new ministry, approving the intent to create a modern regulatory framework to streamline state competencies in matters of justice.

The bill establishes the Ministry of Justice directly under the Executive Branch, marking a substantial...

For months there have been newspaper articles, television commentators, and many radio shows dedicated to the process of changing the ubiquitous national identification card known as the “cédula.” Now, the head of the Central Electoral Board (JCE), Roman Jaquez Liranzo, has give the public a chronograph of what and when things will happen.

First off, the new ID card, that also serves as a voter registration card, will start being printed I this coming October and November 2025. The technical aspects of the card are currently undergoing a final technical evaluation, and the final report is due this week at the latest.

Once this phase is complete, the conditions are in place to open Envelope B which contains the economic offers, and at the end of this month or at the beginning of July, the international tender will conclude and the JCE will look at three consortiums ad...

Despite numerous complaints and the river’s vital role in providing water to over 1.7 million Dominicans, including 40% of Greater Santo Domingo, the Nizao River in the Dominican Republic continues to be severely damaged by indiscriminate sand and gravel extraction.

A delegation from the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) visited one of the affected areas on World Environment Day (Thursday, 5 June 2025), echoing concerns raised by local leaders and the bishop of Baní, Ocoa, and San Cristóbal. The opposition politicians denounced the ongoing environmental depredation, with heavy machinery altering the river’s course and reducing it to trenches, while authorities remain inactive, as reported in Listin Diario.

The PLD’s environmental manifesto questions the government’s inaction, stating that the Nizao River, which spans over 1,000 square kilometers and irrigates around...

The lottery and sports betting industry continues strong in the country, despite the negative impact on the population. She significant volume of the betting reveals the optimistic nature of Dominicans who dream of hitting the jackpot to solve everyday problems. Recent coverage in El Dia by journalists Dilenni Bonilla and Joan Vargas looks into the amount of companies and money involved, and the labor infringements by the vast network of betting agencies, with the authorities looking the other way.

The Federación Nacional de Bancas de Loterías (Fenabancas) says about RD$350 million are gambled every day by the hopeful Dominican population. There are more betting shops than corner grocery stores. The gambling businesses have set up shops in front of schools, medical centers or even churches. In pharmacies and food stores they offer the services via Verifones or other electronic...

When most everyone had forgotten about the Transcore Latam traffic light modernization contract scandal that ousted traffic expert Hugo Beras from the National Transport and Transit Institute (Intrant), recent raids and investigations aired in the media and it seems these have been ongoing.

Transcore Latam had been awarded the contract to modernize the traffic lights in Greater Santo Domingo but the contract would be rescinded in a series of events that led to Beras’ successor, Milton Morrison naming as “terrorism,” the unexpected shutdown of the traffic lights in the capital city and threats by the contract holders.

There were threats and bravado, but the case would gradually disappear from the media until now.

On Friday, 6 June 2025, Aquiles Jiménez, an entertainment producer who has been a government critic, is now known to be facing fresh judicial accusations of defamation while already under investigation for alleged involvement in a corruption network linked to the...

Alexandra Grullón and her mother, Melba Segura de Grullón / Diario Libre

Melba Segura de Grullón, president of the Sur Futuro Foundation and mother of the late Alexandra Grullón, has announced the creation of the Alexandra Grullón Academic and Cultural Fund. The fund honors the memory of her daughter, one of the officially reported 236 who died on that tragic night of 8 April 2025 when the roof of the JetSet Club collapsed on the hundreds attending a Rubby Perez merengue concert.

Alexandra Grullón, Melba Grullon’s only daughter, was among those who lost their lives in the tragedy. Today, as the nation marks two months since the disaster and what would have been Alexandra’s first wedding anniversary, her mother has revealed in a poignant tribute.

In a heartfelt message, Melba Segura addressed her daughter directly:

“Time marches on, and inevitably...

The National Police and the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) agents implemented phase two of their operations in the barrio of Capotillo in the northern reaches of the National District.

The agents sought to crack down on micro-trafficking of drugs. After several searches and subsequent arrests, the agents seized 10,126 grams of different drugs as well as equipment used for preparing the drugs for street-corner distribution. Over 60 agents along with seven prosecutors took part in the second operation in the barrio that has a reputation as a place where criminals go to hide.

A major fire impacted the Merca Santo Domingo fresh produce market in northern Santo Domingo. 21 firefighting units from the National District, Santo Domingo province and San Cristobal were sent to help put out the blaze that impacted an area of around 700 square meters at the market’s F1 industrial building.

In its reporting as of 8pm, Diario Libre says no one had been reported injured, and there were yet no reports on what could have caused the fire.

Merca Santo Domingo is located about half an hour from the capital city, at km 22 off Duarte Highway in the municipality of Pedro Brand, Santo Domingo province.

Noticias SIN reported that at least 65 small businesses were impacted. The fire impacted an area where alcoholic beverages were in stock and other highly flammable goods.

Noticias SIN reported that according to Sócrates Díaz, administrator of...

Eliseo Zorrilla Gómez (Cheo Zorilla) was 75 years old when he passed away due to a stroke (ACV) on 8 June 2025.

His compositions are very part of Dominican cultural heritage. “Apocalipsis”, “Al nacer cada enero”, “Los hombres de rabia lloran” all are all part of a past generations’ mental Spotify.

Leading local and Latin American artists sang his songs, including Danny Rivera (Puerto Rico), Chucho Avellanet, Basilio (Panama) and Fernando Casado (Dominican Republic).

Read more in Spanish:

• Diario Libre
• YouTube “Al nacer cada enero”

Dominican Republic vs Netherlands / Volley Ball World / Youtube

Competing in Pool 1, the Dominican Republic senior women’s volleyball team (Reinas del Caribe), ranked 11th by FIVB, had opened its participation in the Volleyball Nations League 2025 in Ottawa, Canada on 4 June 2025 with a decisive five-game win against Serbia, ranked 10th. The Dominican team’s massive comeback in the second half of the game made headlines when the Reinas defeated the Serbians in the final minute. The DR won that game 26-28, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, and 18-16.

But then, even more surprising, the DR would lose its next match to Bulgaria, a team ranked 20th. Bulgaria won 25-21, 30-32, 25-19, 31-29 (3-1)

The DR would rally back with another come from behind defeat this time of the Netherlands, ranked 9th. The match against the Dutch was full of ups and downs from both...

CNN published on 5 June 2025 a story today highlighting how many US companies are relocating their manufacturing operations to the Dominican Republic. The newspaper says more people would do so, if they were aware of the country’s advantages for “nearshoring,” or moving production closer to the US.

Read More:

• CNN

The Ministry of Interior and Police announced guidelines for a new comprehensive initiative that seeks to improve motorcycle safety and reduce traffic fatalities. This comes in response to alarming statistics highlighting the role of motorcycles in both accidents and crime. Many similar measures have been announced in the past with minimal implementation.

The authorities have pledged to draft legislation for the helmet certification law and traffic training programs within the next six months, with the first awareness campaigns expected to launch in late 2025.

Announced at the First National Forum for Responsible Motorcycle Use, the proposals include a mandatory requirement for all new motorcycles sold in the Dominican Republic to come equipped with a certified protective helmet and proper registration from the Tax Agency (DGII).

The forum was organized by the...

Celso Juan Marranzini / Hoy

The ongoing crisis in Haiti, characterized by widespread gang control, represents an “immense and multidimensional risk” to the Dominican Republic, according to Celso Juan Marranzini, president of the National Business Council (Conep). Marranzini made the statements as the private sector and civic society meets government for the Social and Economic Council (CES) talks that open at the Ministry of Foreign Relations convention center on Thursday, 5 June 2025.

Marranzini, spoke to reporters on the day before and emphasized the urgent need for the Dominican Republic to prioritize the Haitian situation as a matter of national security. “A country controlled by gangs is the greatest threat the country and the region face,” he stated, highlighting the direct impact on security, the economy, and stability not only for the Dominican Republic but for the...

Former Dominican ambassador to the United States, economist and historian Bernardo Vega sees a deterioration of the crisis in Haiti with no solution in sight. He writes in Acento that it appears that President Trump, who has expressed reluctance to address the Haitian problem, will only change his mind if thousands of Haitians take to the sea to reach Florida, as happened in 1994 when thousands were even sent to Guantanamo Bay.

Vega mentions that last week, gangs took control of the Malpasse customs post, just west of the Jimani customs post, in the past the main entryway for Haitians and Dominicans, given the proximity to Port-au-Prince, the capital. Today, the area is controlled by the gangs or “terrorists” who charge tolls to allow the mobility of goods.

In recent years, most Dominican exporters have been delivering their goods on this side of the border in...

US President Donald Trump issued an official ban on entry of citizens of 12 countries, including Haiti. The announcement increases the migratory pressure impacting the Dominican Republic, that has a 391 km land border with Haiti. Exceptions are to be made, for example for the World Cup scheduled to be held in the United States.

Trump said the ban is to “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors.”

The President was reacting to a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado where 12 people were injured when an Egyptian man attacked a group that had gathered in support of Israeli hostages.

The ban is set to begin on 9 June 2025 and will apply to citizens of Afghanistan, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

The move was announced from the Oval Office.

Read...

Iván Mejía / El Día

Once the dominant supermarket and megastore chain, the Grupo Ramos of La Sirena and former Pola fame, now operates 82 Multicentros, Multiplazas, Sirena Markets and Aprezio stores nationwide. Just recently, the new executive president of the group, Ivan Mejia announced that the chain will have 200 stores nationwide by 2030. That means that more of the Grupo Ramos’ Multicentro, Multiplaza, Sirena Market and Aprezio branded stores will be opening in smaller towns and nearer to where you live. He said the company will be investing upwards of US$200 million in the expansion.

The company also continues to renovate stores in prime locations, such as the Multicentro Churchill on Av. Winston Churchill in front of Blue Mall.

The chain has been in operation for 60 years. It employs more than 8,000, mostly young people.

The announcement comes at a time...

The case that charged Venezuelan Karla Moya Boada of irregularly practicing medicine in the Dominican Republic could continue in the judiciary if the case is moved to the Supreme Court of Justice. The question is who will present the case to the Supreme Court of Justice?

Journalist Nuria Piera had presented evidence on her investigative journalism program that the Venezuelan was not a graduate of medicine from Venezuela, but two of three judges (Judges Arlin Ventura Jiménez (presiding) and Leticia Martínez Noboa (substitute president), did not admit the evidence.

What stands is that after the decision of the court of appeals, the case could still be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice. The Supreme Court of Justice would then need to admit the case if considering there is a motive of public interest or important legal standards are at play.

As per Dominican law, the...

Jean Montero / Listín Diario

Dominican national team basketball star Jean Montero once again made the difference, this time leading Valencia Basket to the Spanish League semifinals with a remarkable 36 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Montero, who played 21 minutes, was the undisputed leader on the court, breaking early career records and securing Valencia’s ticket to the next round. In the Liga Endesa semifinals, Valencia will now face La Laguna Tenerife.

Valencia Basket clinched the hard-fought 94-102 victory against Dreamland Gran Canaria, overcoming a near decade-long winless streak in Gran Canaria. The game went into overtime after a fierce battle, with Valencia ultimately winning.

While no single player logged more than 20 minutes (except for Montero’s 21), all eyes were on Montero, who not only scored 36 points but also contributed significantly in...

Gaila González / El Día

In an electrifying game at the start of the FIVB’s Volleyball Nations League championship in Ottawa, Canada, the Dominican Republic’s Caribbean Queens came from behind and defeated Serbia in game five (3-2).

19-year old setter Ariana Rodriguez explained in a post-game interview that after the team won the third set 25-15, confidence was regained to forge ahead and win the match. The game partials were 26-28, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, and 18-16.

Coach Kwiek said: “It was an important victory, coming from behind. We pushed it to a fifth and took the game. We played a first set, second set, lowered our guard with three errors, and came back strong,” he said.

Ariana Rodriguez sait that after game three, the team “turned on the gears.”

She said for the next game: “We need to be aggressive and dominant throughout the entire game.”

The DR is...