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The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic has released its latest labor market survey, revealing a significant drop in the country’s unemployment rate. At the close of 2024, the rate stood at a historic low of 4.8%, down from 5.0% in the same period of 2023.
Key Findings• Job growth: The Dominican Republic’s economy added 97,988 jobs in 2024, bringing the total number of employed individuals to 5,050,930.• Formal employment: The majority of this growth came from the formal sector, with 140,669 new formal jobs created. This contrasts with a decrease of 42,681 informal jobs.• Record employment rate: The country’s employment rate reached a record high of 62.3%, indicating the highest proportion of working-age individuals in employment within the statistical series.• Decreasing informal employment: The rate of informal employment fell to 54.8%, the lowest point in the statistical...
A high-ranking committee of government officials was in Dajabon on the border with Haiti for conversations on the expansion of the binational market facilities and changes to migratory practices in the border areas. The binational markets allow Haitians to enter on market days. At present, the market is overcrowded by vendors and buyers and there are very few if any migratory controls on those who enter or who leave on market days.
A committee led by Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester, director of the Migration Agency (DGM), conducted an inspection of the Dajabón Binational Market and its surrounding area, where plans to expand the market space and implement additional security checkpoints are being evaluated. These measures aim to regulate the massive influx of Haitians into the country.
At the site, Lee Ballester stressed the need for stricter control over...
At a time when a capital city ban for heavy traffic on the Malecon in Santo Domingo is being ignored by truckers, the city government of the second largest city in the country, Santiago, announces fines of up to RD$30,000 for truckers entering banned areas, El Caribe reports.
The Santiago de los Caballeros City Hall has announced a crackdown on heavy vehicle traffic in the city center. The move comes as the city grapples with a surge in traffic accidents and fatalities.
Jorge Muñoz, the city’s traffic director, announced the enforcement of Ordinance 3169-17, which prohibits the circulation of trucks and other heavy vehicles in the city’s urban core. The ordinance, which has been in place since the start of Mayor Ulises Rodríguez’s term, has been strengthened in response to a series of fatal accidents in the city, including several in the Ciénaga area in late 2024.
“We...
In an editorial in the Diario Libre Tintineo page two section, Omar Santana writes on the need for the president of the Truckers Association (Fenatrado) to back the ban on heavy trucks transiting on the Malecon. The president of Fenatrado is Ricardo de los Santos, who is also the president of the Senate.
The editorial comes at a time when the city government of the National District has announced the continuing of the Malecon bordering city park area all the way to Km 9 and the construction of a major city park of around 50,000 meters on the grounds of the Maharishi school.
Santana writes:“The Santo Domingo Mayor’s office has introduced a bold, yet controversial, measure aimed at regulating heavy traffic along the city’s iconic Malecón, from the Luperón Avenue to the Don Diego Port.
“This move is no small matter. It directly impacts the powerful National...
Urban planner Angel Frias Sosa advocates for a change to proactive planning to stop chaos in Santo Domingo before it escalates. Architect Frias is a former director of the Institute of Urbanism of the state UASD university. He argues in an interview with El Dia that Santo Domingo needs better city planning. He believes that the city should not create ordinances for specific areas until the planned works for those areas are designed.
Frías Sosa made the comments in response to a question about an ordinance approved by the Council of Aldermen of the National District that declared the La Fe neighborhood a special use zone. The ordinance is intended to allow for the creation of large commercial plazas and housing projects in the low residential and commerce density area that is marked by the location of the Quisqueya Ball Park.
Frías Sosa said that one of the...
The Abinader administration announced the opening of a first Unidad de Intervencion Terapeutica Territorial (UITT) that will be offering care and early intervention for children with autism, Down syndrome or cerebral paralysis. The services have been available at the large CAID facilities, but these have a long waiting list, the Presidency reports. Instead of expanding CAID facilities, the Abinader administration is focusing on the smaller UITT centers.
The first UITT facility opened in Ensanche Luperon and has capacity for 48 children. It seeks to serve populations in Arroyo Hondo, Cristo Rey, Ensanche Kennedy, Ensanche La Fe and Ensanche Espaillat. A second unit will open in coming weeks in Sabana Perdida.
The government says the plan is to install 20 more of these units nationwide.
As reported in El Caribe, the...
The campaigns of those who seek to be the next rector of the state university (UASD) focus on delivering more wages and benefits for professors and staff. Meanwhile, wasteful spending seems to be normal at the university that is sponsored by taxpayers and where a minority pays tuition.
7 Dias reports that the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) appears to be in a period of financial prosperity, as it has been allocating RD$25 million for events and meetings. This expenditure comes despite the university not yet publishing its Annual Operational Plan (AOP) for 2025.
7 Dias reports that among the contracted services, “audiovisuals” stands out with a budget of RD$10 million. The university has also allocated RD$6 million for event setup, RD$4 million for rentals, and RD$5 million for printing services.
The state university launched the bidding process...
Mining expert, former national secretary of planning and former senator Ramon Alburquerque explained for the audience of Hoy Mismo morning TV program that mining of rare earth elements can be highly toxic to the environment. He proposes that if the research underway and the feasibility study conclude with a “go” for the exploitation of REE reserves in southwestern Pedernales that the area be cordoned off as a zero-contamination area set aside exclusively for rare earth mining.
Alburquerque says the mining can be highly contaminating, and was the reason why in 2002 a major rare earth element mining area in Mountain Pass, California was shut down after a toxic waste spill. The mine produced radioactive wastewater which leaked into the surrounding desert, causing environmental concerns and legal issues.
He suggested the Dominican operation be one of producing concentrated...
President Luis Abinader is one of the most highly regarded politicians in the Americas, and he is also popular at home. He is attempting to successfully end his current second four-year term, despite the fact he may be regarded by some as a “lame duck politician,” since he will not contend to stay in power beyond 2028.
N Digital, nevertheless, reports the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) has announced Abinader will preside the party from 2026 onwards. At present, Minister of the Presidency Jose Ignacio Paliza is the party president and capital city Mayor Carolina Mejia, the secretary general, both named in 2018 and reconfirmed in 2022.
The PRM spokespersons did not say who will be the secretary general given that Mejia is one of the seven leading contenders for the presidential candidacy in the 2028 general election. The top six that have expressed their interest in the presidential...
Marileidy Paulino is an extraordinary person and athlete. A documentary with her trials and tribulations as she worked her way to be the 400m World Champion and Paris Olympics gold medal winner in the 400m can be seen in Caribbean Cinemas movie cinemas as of Thursday, 13 February 2025 in Santo Domingo. The film, “Sueños Dorados” tells the inspiring story of the triple Olympic medalist (silver in relay and silver in 400m in the Tokyo Olympics).
“Our goal from the start was to tell Marileidy’s story authentically, highlighting not just her greatness as an athlete, but also her humanity and daily struggles,” said Mariano Pichardo, the film’s director.
Produced by Kokaleka Films and directed by Pichardo with Federico Ozores as the producer, Sueños Dorados emphasizes her discipline, roots, and the journey.
Through striking visuals filmed in locations...
The 12 February 2025 Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks game went to overtime, with the Knicks landing the victory of that incredibly fast-paced game, 149 to 148.
The Dominican national basketball player, Karl Anthony Towns was impressively effective and scored 44 points, with 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals against the Atlanta Hawks. This was his second consecutive back-to-back night scoring 40+ points for the first time in his career. He became only the fifth Knicks player to land back to back nights of 40+ points, following in the footsteps of legendary players Bernard King, Patrick Ewing, Carmelo Anthony, and Jalen Brunson.
On 11 February, the New Jersey-born 29-year old son of a Dominican mom and American father, had already scored 40 points and 12 rebounds in the game the New York Knicks beat the Indiana Pacers 128-115. Of those 40 points, Towns scored 24 in the first half...
A landmark decision by a judge that enabled the Ministry of Housing to demolish a building (Albania Rodriguez) in El Café de Herrera sector of Santo Domingo West municipality may end up encouraging more people to complain. The structure was found to be in violation of building codes and that it posed a significant risk to the lives of nearby residents. What is extraordinary of this case is not the ruling, but the action of the Ministry to demolish the structure.
An estimated 70% of the constructions in low cost barrios are informal constructions that are built without adhering to the red tape required for legal constructions.
In recent years, several of these constructions have resulted in fatal tragedies, collapsing on the people inside or impacting neighboring constructions.
Recent cases in San Cristobal, Santiago and La Romana could have influenced the...
A controversial ordinance passed by the National District city council, which designates the capital city’s La Fe neighborhood as a special land use zone, is facing opposition due to concerns that it violates Law 368-22 on Territorial Planning, Land Use and Human Settlements. This law removed the power of municipalities to make such decisions independently, El Dia reports.
The ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) Mayor Carolina Mejia city government has been aggressive in favoring residential and commercial developments in the city, disregarding issues such as parking and traffic congestion, sewage and water supplies. Ruling party councillors are in the majority in the City Council.
The concern regarding La Fe, in the northern area of the capital city, is that the Quisqueya Ball Park is a focal point in the area and the activities at the capital city’s stadium...
Vice President Raquel Peña and Minister of Environment Paíno Henríquez led the launch of the 2025 Forest Fire Prevention Season Initiative in the mountain valley area of Constanza. The initiative aims to protect the country’s forests and natural resources through increased investment in firefighting equipment and heightened public awareness.
Vice President Peña emphasized the importance of collective action in safeguarding the Dominican Republic’s environment, calling on government agencies, the private sector, and citizens to participate in the effort. She also highlighted the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards environmental crimes and its commitment to incorporating environmental education into the national curriculum.
Minister Henríquez stressed the critical role of forests in maintaining ecological balance and supporting...
The Ministry of Environment and members of the Dominican Navy, recently planted 3,000 red mangroves in southcentral Las Calderas, Baní. The effort was sponsored by Ricoh Dominicana. The reforestation effort took place at the Navy’s Nautical Club, a location ideal for the species due to its consistently flooded soil.
Red mangroves are vital to the environment and human communities that live nearby. Their roots protect the coast from erosion caused by waves and sea currents. They also act as natural filters that help clean seawater from sediments and pollutants.
“Red mangroves are crucial for the environment and the communities that live near them,” said Marcos Chalas, who, along with Cristiana de la Rosa, represented the Ministry of Environment. “The roots of red mangroves help protect the coast from erosion caused by waves and sea currents. They also act as natural...
Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester / Diario Libre
The director of the Migration Agency, Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester says that exceptions cannot be made for construction workers to the law that establishes the rules for applying for Dominican residence and work permits.
Asociacion Dominicana de Constructores y Promotores de Viviendas (Acoprovi), the association that groups constructors, wants flexible deals to regularize their workers, estimated at 87,000. Most of these seeking to regularize their status are Haitians who have not secured paperwork in Haiti to regularize their status in the Dominican Republic under Migration Law 285-04.
Migration director Lee Ballester insists that any solution coming from the talks with the builders has to comply with the Migration Law.
Read more in...
According to the National Health Service (SNS), public hospitals gave free medical services to 93,579 patients of Haitian origin who sought services at the emergency wards. This compares to 937,014 Dominican patients, thus Haitians were 10% of the total. Most of the Haitian patients were women arriving to give birth. In most cases, the Haitians receive free services. Poor Dominicans regularly pay a fee for the services to cover basic costs even when they have government insurance.
The breakdown of Haitians requesting services at public hospitals in 2024 (as of 16 December 2024) was:
Engombe Municipal Hospital, located in the Santo Domingo West municipality of the Santo Domingo province, that treated 60,685 emergencies — 19,340 (31.8%) Haitians and 41,345 Dominicans (68.2%).
San Lorenzo Maternity in Los Mina, in eastern Santo Domingo, with 46,073 emergencies —...
President Luis Abinader announced the government would fund the extending of another 12-14 km of border fence after the fence had proved effective at checking cattle ranch theft on the border with Haiti. Abinader made the announcement during the La Semanal press conference of 10 February 2025.
The cattle ranchers in the area have requested the expanding of the border to reach Capotillo and Restauracion.
Haitians are known to steal cattle and take these to Haiti along border trails. Given that most of the Haitians who carry out the theft do not have legal identity, it is unusual that the thieves face consequences of any kind, with major losses to cattle owners in the Dominican Republic. The cattle ranchers say the initial kms of wall have been effective in reducing cattle theft.
The Dominican government has built 52 km of border fence along the 391 km border with Haiti...
Security ministers and high-ranking officials from six Central American countries and the Dominican Republic will be meeting on Wednesday, 12 February 2025 at the Organization of American States (OAS) headquarters in Washington, DC, to sign a new joint initiative against illegal arms trafficking, ammunition, and explosives. This involves the formal adoption of the “Central American Roadmap to Prevent the Trafficking and Illicit Proliferation of Firearms and Munitions,” a regional instrument that will strengthen capabilities and coordination between states to counter one of the region’s most significant threats to security and development.
The initiative, promoted by the OAS together with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), and with financial support from the European Union, also seeks to promote violence prevention...
The National Council for the Aging (Conape) has taken charge of the care for Jose Cesteros after a video went viral showing the master painter wandering the streets of the Colonial City in a state of abandonment.
The man who produced the video on the 88-year old legendary painter complained that several promoters of Cesteros’ works are not financially assisting him and seem to be awaiting for his death to reap higher profits, while the maestro looks abandoned and destitute.
The works of the master painter are highly valued and sell for thousands.
Read more in Spanish:
Lawyer Marisol Vicens Bello writes in Noticias SIN about the lack of vision and the delays in the authorities giving real worth to the city’s Caribbean Sea-facing promenade, the Malecon (Av. George Washington). She urges that the government enforce the removal of heavy vehicle traffic from the Malecon so it can reach its potential as a complement to the Colonial City attractions. So far, the authorities continue to issue exceptions to the ban on heavy traffic, adding to congestion and impacting safety of the boulevard.
She writes:“It should be a source of shame that, despite having the privilege of our capital, Santo Domingo, being located right in front of the beautiful Caribbean Sea, we live with our backs turned to it, content with glimpsing it from afar, from tall and expensive towers in some cases. The lack of awareness and the failure to comply with regulations...
Alberto Rodriguez, INEFI and José Miguel Paulino / Diario Libre
The National Physical Education Institute (Inefi) gave a job to decathlon athlete Jose Miguel Paulino after Diario Libre reported on his economic woes and this went viral on social media.
Paulino is a Central American and Caribbean champion in decathlon, and the local record holder in his discipline. He got his job after Diario Libre published a story on how he made a living driving an Uber car and delivering for Pedidos Ya.
Inefi has now hired him to work providing guidance to students in public schools, said Alberto Rodriguez of Inefi.
Read more in Spanish:
Taxpayer money will never be enough as the government bureaucracy continues to grow in leaps and bounds, to tell from reports on new hiring prepared by the Center for Sustainable Economic Strategies (CREES).
Despite a much-publicized hiring freeze announced in September 2024, the Dominican government has added 6,168 employees to its payroll, according to the Regional Center for Sustainable Economic Strategies (CREES). The freeze, intended to curb public sector growth, exempted essential personnel like military, police, medical professionals, and teachers.
This recent increase, while notable, is less than half the surge of 12,997 employees recorded during the same period in 2023. Nonetheless, the public payroll has ballooned by 257,471 employees in less than a decade, marking a 52.8% increase since 2015.
As of November 2024, the total number of...
A presiding judge of a National District Appeals Court has requested the Chamber of Accounts audit the Council of the Judiciary, the administrative and disciplinary entity for the Judicial Branch of government. She wants the auditors to look for alleged misuse of funds. She complained that while courts are under disrepair causing major inconveniences and there are no funds for the judicial workers, there is money to pay so that adult children of those in higher-up positions benefit from international insurance, there is an abundance of premium airfares covered by the judicial budget, and there is money to pay for expensive advisors, as reported in Diario Libre.
Ysis Berenice Muñiz Almonte, the presiding judge of the Second Chamber of the Appeals Court of the National District, has requested an “exhaustive audit” from the Chamber of Accounts to the Council of the...
Transparency International released on 11 February 2025 the findings of its 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) that show the Dominican Republic improved one rank over 2023. In its wrap-up on the index, TI includes the DR among seven countries that “have significantly improved their scores in the index.” The scores represent the opinions of experts and business specialists, not the general public.
The seven countries with noted improvements according to TI are: Cote d’Ivoire (45), Dominican Republic (36), Kosovo (44), Kuwait (46), Maldives (38), Moldova (43) and Zambia (39). The DR is now ranked 104th of 180 countries that are part of the evaluation.
In launching the update, Transparency International says that global corruption levels remain alarmingly high, and efforts to reduce them are faltering. The global average on the index has remained...
Niagara Falls will be illuminated with the colors of the Dominican flag on 27 February 2025 in honor of Dominican Independence Day, the Dominican Embassy in Canada announced, as reported in Noticias SIN. The date commemorates the separation from Haiti that had controlled the country for 22 years.
The event will be broadcast on the Dominican Embassy’s social media at 10pm EST, while in Dominican time it will be 11pm.
Niagara Falls is located about 236 meters above sea level and its drop is approximately 51 meters. They are located on the Niagara River, between the United States and Canada.
Read more in Spanish:
Felix Cumbé / Diario Libre
The talented Felix Cumbe (born Critz Sterlin) passed away on 11 February 2025, not recovering fully from a stroke last year. He had been born on 4 August 1964 in Haiti but moved to the Dominican Republic as an eight year old boy, making his life as a musician in this country. He finally acquired Dominican citizenship in 2021. He is married and has two children.
His musical debut as a merengue song composer took place in the 1980s when Anibal Bravo’s merengue orchestra successfully performed his single El Gatico. His popularity, nevertheless, would soar and he would become part of Dominican culture, with his songs Feliz Cumbe (Christmas song) and Dejame Volver, made part of traditional Dominican music playlist by merengue star Fernando Villalona. Felix Cumbe is recognized for his contributions to both bachata and merengue genres.
In 2021, he went on a...
Dominican equestrian athlete Maria Gabriela Brugal Gassó made history with her first-place win at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup in Puebla, Mexico.
This is the first time a Dominican athlete has won a four-star equestrian competition, making it a historic moment for the country. Brugal also won a bronze medal in the speed competition. Her victory has cemented her place in Dominican equestrian history.
The win came with a US$29,062.50 cash prize. She rode Je T’aime Flamenco. The runner ups were two Mexican men.
Read more in Spanish:
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers’ third and final window is happening this February 2025.
The Dominican Republic is scheduled to compete against Canada and Nicaragua in the final qualifying window for the FIBA AmeriCup 2025. The DR is competing in Group C that also gathers Canada, Nicaragua, Mexico.
As the country gears up for the event, the team’s renowned Argentine coach Néstor “Che” García and Dominican coaches David Díaz and Abraham Disla, as well as Spanish coach Sergio Jiménez, have convened top players like David Jones, L.J. Figueroa, and Joel Soriano to join the players that live in the DR. Several other prominent Dominican players based in Europe, including Andrés Féliz, Jean Montero, and Tyson Pérez, are expected to join the team after completing their commitments in the Copa del Rey.
The 2025 FIBA AmeriCup...
For the second time in history, the Dominican Republic’s women’s team will be the only country to participate in all five International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) global volleyball events in 2025. This achievement highlights the nation’s growing prowess in the sport.
The Dominican Republic’s women’s senior national volleyball team is known as “Las Reinas del Caribe” (The Queens of the Caribbean). The feeder teams and the senior team will compete in the following events:• Volleyball Nations League: Senior team (Reinas del Caribe) June, Canada• FIVB U19 World Championship: 3-13 July, Croatia and Serbia• FIVB U21 World Championship: 2-17 August, Indonesia• Pan American U23 Cup: August, Asuncion, Paraguay• FIVB Women’s World Championship: Senior team (Reinas del Caribe) 22 August – 7 September, Thailand
Read more in...
Tourism Minister was in Brazil as part of a promotional South American tour.
He reiterated that Brazil is an “extremely important” market for Dominican tourism. Brazil travel has grown in leaps and bounds as more airlines are competing for Dominican and Brazilian travelers in 2023 and 2024.
Tourism minister David Collado discussed ongoing efforts to collaborate with new hotel chains and develop new destinations to further strengthen Dominican tourism, achievements made possible by the work of travel agents and tour operators.
“Our commitment is clear: at every event, we strengthen the presence of the Dominican Republic on the global stage, building the future of our country’s tourism together,” said David Collado, the Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, during a tourism promotion roadshow in São Paulo, Brazil.
Collado spoke to an audience of over 450...
Statistics reveal that Argentina ranks as the third-largest tourist source market globally for the Dominican Republic, and the number one in South America, accounting for 40% of the Caribbean country’s total market share.
Tourism Minister David Collado emphasized during his participation in an Argentinean road tour that 57% of Argentine tourists visiting the Dominican Republic are brought in by travel agents and tour operators. He highlighted 2024 as the best year in the history of Dominican-Argentine tourism, with 272,000 Argentine visitors to the Caribbean nation. By January 2025, 51,243 Argentine tourists had already arrived.
The main obstacle to the development of the Argentinean market, nevertheless, are the costly visa obligations for Dominican travelers. Dominicans need to pay US$150 for a visa, but have to apply with more than three months’ time, or US$400 if a...
Now, with Valentine’s Day coming up on 14 February, Santo Domingo and Santiago, the big cities, are decked out with multiple events dedicated to those in love.
Restaurants are also decorated to remind people about the importance of caring and loving.
For ideas on where to go for the celebration, check out Uepa Tickets or Tu Boleta that sell tickets to many of the events.
Read More:
Teatro Ciego, also known as Blind Theater, the Argentine theater group that stages performances in complete darkness, is here in Santo Domingo for performances this weekend at the venue of the former Mango TV channel, Av. 27 de Febrero 308 on 13, 14, 15 and 16 February 2025. Tickets are available online and cost RD$5,000.
In the absence of sight, the production engages the audience’s senses of sound, smell, touch, and taste to create an immersive experience. The audience experiences the performance through heightened senses.
The Teatro Ciego technique originated in 1991 in Córdoba, Argentina, inspired by meditation techniques practiced in Tibetan Zen temples. In 2008, Gerardo Bentatti and Martín Bondone established the Centro Argentino de Teatro Ciego, the first theater in the world dedicated to performances in complete darkness.
Teatro Ciego is recognized as a project...
What the heck are top government officials thinking when they announce relocating their offices to the already very congested Polígono Central?
During the La Semanal press conference, a journalist asked President Luis Abinader about the situation and his answer was that the government would in no way contribute to more chaos.
Yet, the reality is that several government offices are relocating to the Poligono Central and choosing buildings without adequate parking for their employees or visitors. N Digital reports this will worsen the traffic situation in the capital city.
N Digital reports that the Passport Office is one example. It has plans to relocate to a building with only 95 parking spots, which is not enough for all the people who visit them each day and will clearly impact the neighborhood.
Indotel is...
Renewable energy sources generated 1,222.75 megawatts (MW) on Saturday, 8 February 2025, surpassing thermal energy by 0.85%, which contributed 1,201.47 MW.
In a groundbreaking announcement, Minister of Energy and Mines Joel Santos revealed that, for the first time, renewable energy provided more than 50% of the electricity needed by the National Interconnected Electric System (SENI) at 1:38pm.
This milestone, Santos emphasized, marks a significant step toward the Dominican Republic’s transition to a cleaner, more efficient energy future. “This is an important achievement in securing our energy independence and reducing our environmental footprint,” said Santos.
The minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to increasing renewable energy’s share in the national grid, aiming to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and create a more sustainable energy...
Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful had the satisfaction to announce a record low in the homicide rate to 7.7 per 100,000 residents during the weekly press conference on Monday, 10 February 2025. This is down from the previous record low of 8.4 last month.
During a press conference following the 78th meeting on the Citizen Security Plan, led by President Luis Abinader, Minister of Interior and Police, Faride Raful, reported that six regions have had no homicide victims from 1 January to 10 February 2025.
Raful emphasized the efforts of law enforcement in reducing deaths from gender-based violence and social conflicts.
Regarding noise pollution, the Minister announced that interventions will continue under the “Operation Peace Guarantee” program to enforce Law 90-19, which aims to prevent and limit noise pollution.
She reminded the public that...
Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos announced on Sunday, 9 February 2025 that exploration activities are advancing to determine the extent of rare earth element resources this year, with the first reserve declaration anticipated by 2026. This involves mineralogy studies, drilling, and testing to assess the depth and quantity of resources.
Two sites in Pedernales province (Reserva Minera Avila) are found to have promise.
Rare earth elements (REE) are used in technological devices, including medical equipment and cell phones. Everything from the iPhone to the Tesla electric engine to LED lights use REEs.
The US Army Corps of Engineers is working on the assessment into the feasibility for the exploitation of the minerals found in areas that were previously mined for bauxite.
During his visit to the Dominican Republic on 5 and 6 February 2025 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio...
President Luis Abinader announced during the 10 February 2025 press conference that the government would soon be ready to have an emergency alert system that will reach all who have a Dominican-issued cell phone. Even the very poor have access to cell phones in the Dominican Republic.
The President made the announcement on Saturday, 8 February, hundreds of thousands learned of a tsunami alert that the Center for Emergency Operations issued for an hour, warning those near the sea to evacuate and stay out of the water. The alert was issued after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in the Caribbean Sea at 6:30pm midway between the north coast of Honduras and the Cayman Islands.
The earthquake did not cause damages and the tsunami alert was removed in about an hour’s time.
Tsunamis in the Caribbean are rare, but there are historic records of ocurrences in the Dominican Republic in 1842...
In a significant move to combat HIV/AIDS, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Public Health (MSP) has announced that it will assume full financial responsibility for the purchase of antiretroviral medications and essential supplies for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.
This decision comes at a time when USAID has suspended its HIV program in the Dominican Republic. The country’s National Program for the Control of STIs-HIV-Hepatitis revealed its 2024 investment of US$11,493,557.15, benefiting 76,257 individuals living with HIV. The investment covered medications, operational activities, distribution of antiretrovirals, hepatitis B supplies, viral load and genotype tests, and more.
The program also provided infant formula for children exposed to HIV and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication, benefiting 4,060 users. Additionally, the acquisition of CD4 tests for...
National District senator Omar Fernandez met with Amazon executives to motivate these to make the Dominican Republic among the first to receive the Project Kuiper broadband low cost Internet service in Latin America, as reported in Listin Diario.
Project Kuiper is Amazon’s initiative to provide fast, affordable broadband to communities around the world that are currently unserved or underserved by traditional internet and communications options. To achieve this goal, Amazon will deploy thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) linked to a global network of antennas, fiber, and internet connection points on the ground.
The company has begun the deployment of the service this 2025. The service will compete with the most expanded 5G technology and Starlink, both available in the Dominican Republic.
5G provides more built-in security features...
Ernesto Martinez, Mario Lama, Jennifer Troncoso and Guillermo Prida / Hoy
The growth of the formal shopping sector in the Dominican Republic has been hampered by informality, according to executives of the National Organization of Commercial Enterprises (Onec), as reported in Hoy.
[The Onec executives did not directly pinpoint during the published interview the impact of Chinese invcestments here. Yet, the reality is that mega stores have surged taking advantage of tax loopholes allowed by the Abinader administration. Most of these stores are Chinese investments.]
During their participation in the Economic Encounter of Hoy newspaper, Onec president Mario Lama, vice president Ernesto Martínez Staffeld, executive director Jenniffer Troncoso, and Onec board member Guillermo Prida asserted that several factors have contributed to the...
Spain’s King Felipe VI awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic to Dominican singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra at a ceremony held at the Spanish Embassy. Attending the event were the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, and his wife, Raquel Arbaje.
In a statement, Spanish Ambassador Antonio Pérez-Hernández praised Guerra as one of the most prominent figures of Dominican culture and one of the most internationally recognized personalities of the nation. He emphasized Guerra’s position as one of the most celebrated Latin artists of the past few decades, noting his impact extends beyond music, representing a true sociocultural phenomenon.
The ambassador also highlighted Guerra’s solidarity and social awareness, pointing out that despite his success and fame, he has remained committed to social causes...
The United States Secretary of State, the recently confirmed senator from Florida, Marco Rubio, concluded his Central American and Caribbean tour (Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemela and Dominican Republic) with a short visit to Santo Domingo on 5 and 6 February 2025.
In his remarks wrapping up the meetings of the short visit of Rubio, President Luis Abinader said the focus of the talks had been on security, migration and trade. He repeated his call for more help with Haiti. President Abinader reaffirmed once again that there can not be a Dominican solution to the Haitian crisis. He mentioned advances for the organization of the 10th Summit of the Americas in Punta Cana this coming December 2025 with the expected visit of US President Donald Trump. This would be the first US President to visit.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio...
During his wrap up of the official visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the Dominican Republic on 5 and 6 February 2025, President Luis Abinader said the focus had been security, migration and trade, in that order.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the other hand, opened his remarks making it clear he had come for business. His first mention was about the talks regarding the rare earth elements found in southwestern Dominican Republic. The karst bauxite deposits in Pedernales are reported to have a wealth of minerals today highly valued for their optical and electrical conductivity properties. Since 2023, the US Army Engineering Corps have been studying the potential for their assessment and exploitation. The Las Mercedes site in southwestern Pedernales is the most promising.
Rubio also highlighted the opportunities for the Dominican Republic and expressed support...
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says that migration flows have changed and today there are waves of migrants, contrary to the past lesser flow of people that were overstaying their US visas in the past. Rubio says that migration-wise, the world is living in a different era to what existed ten years ago – not to say 40 or 50 years ago.
In an interview with Alicia Ortega during his visit to the Dominican Republic, Rubio expressed solidarity with the difficulties caused to the Dominican Republic by the migratory pressure from Haiti. He said the DR cannot be asked to receive more people because it is already experiencing “a massive pressure from Haiti.”
“This country already has a mass pressure,” he stated when asked if the US would request the Dominican Republic to receive planeloads of Haitian immigrants deported from the United States.
Rubio spoke that what is new...
President Luis Abinader said that the president of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) Vice Admiral José M. Cabrera Ulloa would be stepping up to collaborate with regional combatting of drug trafficking in the Americas. Abinader mentioned the symbolic term of czar in describing the enhanced efforts from the Dominican collaboration to fight organized crime in the region.
The president of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD), Vice Admiral José M. Cabrera Ulloa, in December 2024 had already met with Rear Admiral Jo-Ann F. Burdian, director of the United States Southern Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF-S), to discuss the continued strengthening of joint operations against drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.
That meeting between the DNCD head and Rear Admiral Burdian is described as one that underscores the Dominican...
During his official trip to the Dominican Republic on 6 February 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio took time to be at the La Isabela International Airport in northern Santo Domingo where a Venezuelan jet has been in storage. Rubio watched as US agents posted a sticker formalizing the seizure of the jet.
This is the second plane that would have been used by the government of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela that was parked at the La Isabela International Airport that has been confiscated by the US government in collaboration with the local authorities. A first plane had been seized in September 2024.
The US authorities justified the action on grounds that the aircraft would have been used by a state-owned Venezuelan Petroleos de Venezuela (PdVSA) to evade US sanctions and export control laws for the benefit of the Maduro regime officials. Rubio on his X accuont...
Agents of the Ground Traffic and Transportation Safety Agency (Digesett) are on the lookout for vehicles on streets and avenues that do not show having paid their “circulation tax” otherwise known as the “marbete” or sticker. These items went on sale in October 2024, and the final day to acquire them without a late fee was last 31 January.
According to reports in the newspapers, at the deadline 171,000 vehicles had yet to comply with the requirement.
The Digesett reported that in the first 24 hours, the cops had apprehended 280 vehicles that lacked the proper sticker and were seized. These vehicles included both cars, pickups and heavy trucks. The circulation tax can be paid at any office of the Tax Agency (DGII). The fees are RD$3000 for vehicles up to five years old and RD$1500 for older vehicles, but now there is a late fee, and possibly a fine.
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The City University of New York’s Dominican Studies Institute (CUNY DSI), located at the City College of New York (CCNY), invites Dominicans to apply for the 2025-2026 scholarship program for people of Dominican origin who face challenges that limit the expression of their ideas or hinder the development of their work in public spaces. CUNY DSI has received funds from the Mellon Foundation to support these scholarships.
The New York City university says that professionals who specialize in the field of humanities and humanistic social sciences, and work as intellectuals, teachers, researchers, writers, essayists, poets, journalists, social communicators, artists (plastic, performing arts, audiovisual, photography, music, etc.) are invited to apply.
The CUNY DSI seeks to contribute to strengthening and significantly expanding the right of people in civil society to freedom of thought and expression in...
Dominican-American actress Zoe Saldaña continues to reap awards as the momentum builds up for her shot at winning an Oscar this 2025. Saldaña this past week was awarded the Critics Choice Awards prize for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie “Emilia Perez”.
Among cheers and tears, Saldaña accepted the prize, noting that the critics have been hard on the film, yet she said she read the comments as feedback. Calling the film, which has a leading 13 Oscar nominations, including hers as the Best Supporting Actress, the “biggest challenge in {her] life,” Saldaña praised the people that made the movie happen, the cast, crew and designers. Saldaña also joked that her husband was in the bathroom when she received her prize.
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The men from the Cibao FC hosted the Chivas from Guadalajara, Mexico on Thursday, 6 February 2025 in the evening at the Cibao FC Stadium on the campus of the Pontifical Catholic University Mater et Magistra (PUCMM).
This was the first game of a home and away set of matches in the Concacaf Gold Cup competition. The last time these two teams met was some seven years ago, and the Cibao then lost 0-2 in Guadalajara, which was a major surprise in and of itself, since the team was barely three years old at the time and unknown in the football world.
Of course, the return game in Santiago was different, since the Chivas came prepared. The final score was 0-5. This year, the Cibao FC won its fifth consecutive league championship, finished second in the Caribbean Cup championship, and was gaining some stature.
Guadalajara was again the opponent, but this year’s team was...
Mexico had won all five of its games in the Caribbean Series, making it the favorite to win the 2025 Caribbean Series. Mexico’s Charros de Jalisco team manager Benjamin Gil had said that while they were the favorite going into the playoff, they were going up against the Dominican Republic, the team that had won the most championships, including three in the past five years.
The DR had lost to Mexico and Puerto Rico in the first round.
So it was, on Friday, 7 February 2025, the Leones del Escogido delivered and first-time Dominican team manager Albert Pujols (a Cooperstown Hall of Fame member) was able to celebrate winning his first Caribbean Series championship. Pujols had taken the challenge of directing the Escogido Lions. The Escogido had not won a Caribbean Series championship since 2013. For the Escogido, it was their fifth champion’s trophy and the 23rd by...
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