DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

President Luis Abinader, alongside the director of the Water and Sewerage Corporation of Santo Domingo (CAASD), Felipe “Fellito” Suberví, officially put into service the historic expansion of the Barrera de Salinidad Oriental Aqueduct on Sunday, 22 February 2026. The project, now the largest pumping aqueduct in the Dominican Republic, is set to deliver over 136 million gallons of drinking water daily, directly impacting nearly two million residents in Santo Domingo East and Santo Domingo North.

The expansion represents a critical milestone for the capital’s water security, addressing decades of service instability. According to official reports, the facility’s production has been boosted to six cubic meters per second, a significant leap intended to guarantee a steady supply for the next 20 years.

A legacy project revitalizedWhile the current administration celebrated the completion as a “historic delivery,” the project is notably the continuation of an infrastructure plan...

Rafael Salazar Rodriguez, the head of the Dominican Hydro-Electric Company (EGEHID), told interviewers of El Matinal on Channel 5 that studies are underway for the construction and implementation of desalination plants in the province of La Altagracia due to the high demand for drinking water in the tourist areas along that coastline. He said that there are some short-term projects under study for the tourist areas. He said that such projects are certainly feasible in areas such as Bavaro and Punta Cana.

The major issues surrounding desalination of ocean water are costs and brine (salmuera), the end product after desalination. As a possible solution for the first of these issues, Salazar Rodriguez said that wind and wave energy processes were being studied to reduce the costs of desalination. He did not mention the issues regarding the brine, which can affect local ecosystems. He did mention the construction of dams on the Soco and Higüey rivers as an interim solution to the...

The Ministry of Environment of the Dominican Republic has officially transitioned toward a “smart ministry” model, according to its 2025-2026 performance report. A release from the Presidency, explains that under the leadership of Minister Paíno Henríquez, the Presidency reports that the agency has successfully merged aggressive conservation tactics with technological modernization to balance environmental protection with national economic development. Paino Henriquez has been minister since August 2024. Previously, he was a corporate lawyer.

Conservation and reforestation milestonesOn the conservation front, the ministry achieved record-breaking figures by planting 20.2 million trees, covering approximately 365,000 tareas (628.86 square meters) across the country. These efforts were bolstered by a 67% reduction in land affected by forest fires, a success attributed to the deployment of early detection towers and advanced training for the Forest Firefighter Corps. Additionally...

The Abinader administration announced the purchase of four Tejo-class coastal patrol vessels for the Dominican Navy. The equipment is promoted as essential to the patrolling of Dominican waters. The Dominican Republic is located in the center of the Caribbean a geographic position that makes it especially vulnerable to maritime crime and those who seek to use the country as a transshipment point.

President Luis Abinader has justified the acquisition as part of broader national security spending increases driven by external factors, including regional drug trafficking routes and cross-border criminal activity. The vessels will strengthen Dominican maritime security and counter drug trafficking operations in the Caribbean.

The Ministry of Defense is making the purchase for €24,000,000, or an individual price of six million euros. The purchase was reportedly first agreed upon during last year’s visit of President Luis Abinader to Portugal in May 2024. The Presidency did not...

In an effort to get an early start into the 2028 presidential election, the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), led by former President Danilo Medina, officially approved eight pre-candidates. During a meeting of the Central Committee on Sunday, 22 February 2026, it was established that the definitive candidate will be selected during the last quarter of 2026. The Dominican electoral law establishes that the presidential pre campaign for securing the party nominations opens 5 July 2027.

The official list of the eight approved pre-candidates includes Francisco Javier García, Francisco Domínguez Brito, and Charles Mariotti, who had previously expressed their interest. They are joined by Gonzalo Castillo, Ramón Ventura Camejo, Luis de León, Manfred Mata, and Mario Bruno Gonzales.

PLD Party vice president Ariel Jimenez and 2024 presidential candidate Abel Martinez, both who had expressed their interest in being considered for the candidacy, are not included in the recent list...

In ten days, 5 March 2026, the World Baseball Classic will begin, matching 20 national teams, in four pools, to deliver a world champion for 2026. The teams will play in stadiums in Tokyo, San Juan, Houston, and Miami.

According to the experts, the Dominican team is a powerhouse and certainly a favorite to dispute the crown against the likes of Japan with Shohei Ohtani, and the United States with American League MVP Aaron Judge and Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes.

Listin Diario reports on those who are seeing similarities between Team DR and the famous 1927 New York Yankees that were led by Babe Ruth, and Lou Gehrig. Local sportswriters are comparing the 2026 team to the Yankee’s famous “Murderer’s Row” of Earle Combs, Mark Koenig, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Bob Meusel and Tony Lazzeri.

It’s that Team DR has Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Julio Rodriguez, Ketel Marte, Junior Caminero, and Gerardo Perdomo, among others with high rankings...

Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez / El Día

President Luis Abinader has received an official invitation from US President Donald Trump to attend a high-level summit scheduled for 7 March 2026 in Miami, Florida, Dominican officials confirmed on Wednesday, 18 February. As reported, six other heads of state have been invited. These are Javier Milei (Argentina), Rodrigo Paz (Bolivia), Daniel Noboa (Ecuador), Nayib Bukele (El Salvador), Nasry Asfura (Honduras) and Santiago Peña (Paraguay).

The formal notification arrived Tuesday, 17 February, ending weeks of speculation regarding the gathering. Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez confirmed the news during a luncheon with the Corripio Communications Group, noting that the Presidential Palace is currently preparing a public statement on the meeting.

The Miami meeting effectively reshapes the regional diplomatic calendar, as it follows the...

Major General Andrés Modesto Cruz, Police Minister Faride Raful and Former Police Director Ramón A. Guzman / Listín Diario

Major General Andrés Modesto Cruz Cruz in his first statements after assuming command of the National Police on Wednesday, 18 February 2026 spoke of his commitment to further depressing the country’s crime rates.

The director emphasized his firm commitment to protecting the nation’s best interests and stated that institutional reforms are already “tangible and perceptible”.

Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful highlighted during the swearing in ceremony that the new leadership inherits a strengthening security landscape, noting a significant reduction in the homicide rate to just 7.2 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Major General Cruz Cruz is not a newcomer to high-level strategy. Before this historic promotion, he...

Maira Morla Pineda has officially taken office as the new director general of the National Institute of Vocational and Technical Training (Infotep), marking a leadership transition. Her predecessor was appointed Minister of Higher Education.

The transition occurred after the former head of the institution was tapped by the Executive Branch to lead the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (MESCYT). Morla Pineda, who previously served as the institution’s deputy director general, was sworn in during a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Labor Eddy Olivares and the president of the Infotep board of directors.

During the inauguration, officials emphasized the importance of continuity within the agency, which is responsible for the country’s vocational education and labor force training. Morla Pineda, a veteran of the institution with years of experience in...

President Luis Abinader and First Lady Raquel Arbaje are scheduled to receive the Dominican Republic’s newly redesigned driver’s license on 26 February 2026, marking another significant step in the government’s ongoing overhaul of national identification documents.

The transition to the new licensing format follows the recent rollout of the electronic passport and the updated national identity card (cédula). These initiatives are part of a broader modernization strategy aimed at enhancing document security through advanced technology.

The implementation of the new license also aligns with the National Pact for Road Safety, an executive initiative declared of “high national interest.” Under this plan, the government intends to introduce a points-based licensing system later this year to improve traffic discipline and reduce road fatalities across the country.

President Luis...

The Dominican Republic is overhauling its driver’s license system. Starting Thursday, 26 February 2026, the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (Intrant) will officially launch the new driver’s license, with President Luis Abinader receiving the first one.

The new license is being issued by Consorcio Mobility ID, the new government licenses services contractor. The new driver document incorporates international security standards meeting ISO/IES 18013-5.

If you are planning to renew or apply for a new license, the transition schedule is:23-26 February 2026: Service is exclusive to the public and private transport sector (bus drivers, mass transit, etc.).2 March 2026: General public service begin at Phase I locations.Next two months: Phase II expansion to remaining provinces and additional international consulates.

Where to go: Santo Domingo & National District...

The Observatory of Migration Policies (OPM), created by decree 215-25 of 20 April, presented its first preliminary report after three months of fieldwork and verification of progress in the application of the 15 migration measures announced by President Luis Abinader.

The Executive Commission, headed by Miguel Franjul, delivered two reports: one on the missions carried out and another on the level of compliance with the measures. The OPM detailed that it began work with the formation of a technical committee and the approval of its Work Plan, Internal Regulations, Action Route and Communication Strategy.

Field visits included: Dajabón (first groundbreaking of the second phase of the border wall expansion), a tour of the entire border strip from Pedernales to Montecristi to verify security and control, inspections of the Nuestra Señora de La...

Miguel Franjul, president of the Observatory of Migratory Policies, has sounded an alarm over what he describes as a coordinated effort by international organizations to force the Dominican Republic into fundamentally altering its nationality laws. Miguel Franjul is also executive editor Listin Diario newspaper.

According to Franjul, there are clear “signs of conspiracy” aimed at compelling the nation to abandon its long-standing adherence to the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood) in favor of policies that would mandate automatic citizenship for children of undocumented migrants.

The core of the dispute: Jus sanguinis vs. international pressure

Franjul asserts that the Dominican Republic is facing a “persistent and multifaceted” offensive from external actors. These entities, he claims, are seeking to undermine the nation’s sovereign right to define...

The stage of Dominicana’s Got Talent was set ablaze as Da Republik Junior emerged victorious in a high-stakes finale that captivated the nation on 18 February 2026. The group won the RD$3 million cash award and national recognition to the effort in favor of Dominican youths.

The group, widely regarded as the artistic heirs to the original Da Republik company that reached the semifinals of America’s Got Talent in 2018, beat out fellow finalists with a display of precision, energy, and urban flair.

The path to victory: The Golden BuzzerThe group’s championship run was foreshadowed early in the season during an emotional audition that left the judges and audience stunned. It was judge Waddys Jáquez who granted the group their direct pass to the semifinals by pressing the prestigious Golden Buzzer. “War is Declared”: Jáquez, known for his notoriously strict standards, was visibly...

President Luis Abinader has appointed Major General Andrés Modesto Cruz Cruz as the new Director General of the National Police, effective 17 February 2026. The move was formalized through Decree 111-26.

Cruz Cruz, who previously served as the institution’s Inspector General, succeeds Major General Ramón Antonio Guzmán Peralta. Under the same decree, Guzmán Peralta has been placed into retirement and will transition into a new role as the police advisor to the Executive Branch.

The Police law orders the appointment of a new chief every two years. The appointment is grounded in the Constitution and Law 590-16 (the Organic Law of the National Police), which authorizes the President to select a director general from among active-duty general officers.

Cruz Cruz had been the Police Inspector General at the time of his appointment. He has also directed the Police Internal Affairs department (2023-2026) and served as the regional director for the southern region.

He is an...

It would seem the Dominican Republic is now equipping to prevent or confront an invasion of Haitian gangs. The equipping has taken place in the Abinader administraiton, as previously the Armed Forces did not have any equipment to tackle security challenges from Haiti. During the recent presentation of the equipment, the press releases did not specify the concerns beghind the mega expenditures for defense.

President Luis Abinader and Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, presented the comprehensive military upgrades underway, part of a progressive plan to bolster the nation’s institutional defense capabilities.

The military equipment is intended to reinforce the strategic framework of the national defense system, specifically targeting improvements in command, control, communications, and cyber defense.

Lieutenant...

In a ceremony that celebrated a lifetime of intellectual rigor and creative mastery, writer and diplomat Pedro Vergés was formally presented with the 2026 National Literature Prize on the evening of 17 February 2026. The event, held at the Carlos Piantini Hall of the Eduardo Brito National Theater, marks the highest distinction in Dominican literature.

The award, co-sponsored by the Corripio Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, was presented by José Luis Corripio Estrada (Don Pepín) and Minister of Culture Roberto Ángel Salcedo. The Corripio Foundation is the sponsor of the event.

In his acceptance speech, Vergés issued a poignant call to action, urging the literary community to combat the “alarming trivialization” of modern literature and to strengthen critical thinking as a “public responsibility”.

Vergés, who had served as Minister of Culture from 2016 to...

The Dominican Republic is on the verge of reclaiming its status as a self-sufficient coffee producer, driven by high-yielding, disease-resistant plant varieties introduced over the last decade and rising coffee export prices.

Leonidas Batista, executive director of the Dominican Coffee Institute (Indocafé), told local media that the rapid growth of these new plantations is significantly reducing the nation’s reliance on foreign beans. Local roasters, he noted, are now importing only minimal quantities as domestic supply strengthens.

The rising prices of coffee are behind the new efforts to increase production. Production went from 1,218,126 quintals for the 2016-2020 period generating US$31.6 million. From 2020-2024/25 period, total production has increased to 2,641,155 quintals generating US$152 million.

Batista highlighted that last year alone, coffee exports reached US$48 million...

Commuters in Santo Domingo will be testing the Integrated Fare System (SIT) where metro and specific bus services that now offers extended mass transit routes service for the same RD$35 fare.

Frinette Rodríguez, communications director for the SIT, told Listin Diario the system is designed to allow users to pay for both the bus and the Metro using a single contactless credit or debit card.

Users must use contactless bank cards at specifically marked turnstiles to validate the integrated rate.

The pilot program currently includes the following bus corridors:• Independencia (the newest addition)• Núñez de Cáceres• Winston Churchill• Charles de Gaulle

To facilitate these transfers, specific turnstiles have been enabled at 11 Metro stations and one Teleférico station:• Line 1: Centro de los Héroes, Juan Bosch, and Mamá Tingó.• Line 2: María...

The grand finale of Dominicana’s Got Talent is set to take center stage on 18 February 2026, as the hit reality competition reaches its long-awaited conclusion. After a rigorous season featuring more than 200 diverse acts, ranging from vocal powerhouses and intricate dance troupes to unconventional performance art, the final contestants are prepared to battle for the ultimate title and RD$3 million cash award.

Audiences across the nation can tune in to the live broadcast on Color Visión, Channel 9 at 8pm. This closing showcase promises a high-energy display of the Dominican Republic’s most exceptional local talent, marking the culmination of months of auditions and elimination rounds. The reality has platforms where viewers can vote for their favorites.

The Dominican Republic’s senior men’s basketball team is entering the final stages of preparation for the second window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers. The Dominican team is in Group A of these World Cup Qualifiers alongside the United States, Mexico, and Nicaragua.

With a 1-1 record in the current cycle, the national squad aims to secure its fifth consecutive World Cup appearance under the leadership of head coach Néstor “Che” García, who is from Argentina.

Coach García is scheduled to arrive in the country on 18 February 2026 to lead an intensive three-session training camp before the team travels for the upcoming current qualifying window.

Team general manager Junior Páez confirmed that while a 24-man preliminary roster has been released, the final 12-man lineup will likely be announced just 24 hours before game time to account for last-minute adjustments.

A major storyline for this...

Ambassador Maike Friedrichsen / Diario Libre

German investment in the Dominican Republic continues to grow, marked by what Ambassador Maike Friedrichsen describes as a significant “multiplication” of bilateral cooperation. According to an interview with Friedrichsen featured in Diario Libre on 17 February 2026, German investment in the country has increased nearly 15-fold over the last decade, signaling a deepening economic bond between the two nations. German Foreign Direct Investment in the DR in 2023 was EUR689 million.

The surge in capital has targeted renewable energy (solar and wind), logistics and manufacturing, health technology in addition to the traditional environmental cooperation.

Ambassador Friedrichsen identified several “determining factors” that have made the Dominican Republic an attractive destination for German capital. These include...

The Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic (ACRD) issued an urgent environmental alert on Monday, 16 February 2026 warning of severe degradation and toxic cyanobacteria blooms in the Hatillo Dam, the largest freshwater reservoir in the insular Caribbean.

Through its Commission for Natural Resources and Environment, the Academy reported a “drastic change” in water quality and coloration. The reservoir is currently blanketed by a thick, pasty green layer caused by a massive proliferation of Microcystis, a genus of cyanobacteria that poses a direct threat to the ecosystem and the populations relying on the basin.

Located in Cotuí, Sánchez Ramírez province, the Hatillo Dam is a cornerstone of Dominican national security. Sanchez Ramirez is the location of the Barrick Gold mining corporation with its large tailing reservoir. The company is building a second tailing reservoir...

Renowned Dominican television host and producer Mariasela Álvarez announced on Monday, 16 February 2026 that her flagship variety show, “Esta Noche Mariasela,” will cease broadcasting later this month. The final episode is scheduled to air on 26 February, marking the end of a successful 14-year run in its current format.

During the live broadcast on Color Visión (Channel 9), Álvarez shared the news with her audience, citing “deeply personal reasons” for the decision. The Miss World 1982 winner described the choice as one of the most difficult of her career, noting that it followed months of reflection and consultation with her team.

“This has been a very difficult decision to make, first for us, the people who work for you every day; for television, which we know needs programs and voices like ours; but above all for you, our faithful audience,” Álvarez...

The Dominican Republic’s tourism sector has kicked off 2026 in high gear, welcoming 1,219,606 visitors by air and sea in January. This represents a 5.5% increase compared to the same period in 2025, which saw 1,155,484 arrivals.

“The year 2026 looks very positive for the Dominican Republic,” stated Tourism Minister David Collado during a results presentation held Wednesday at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) auditorium. Collado noted that January’s figures are 14.2% higher than in 2024 and a staggering 61% increase over 2019, the final pre-pandemic year. These figures underscore the country’s successful long-term recovery strategy and its rising status as a premier Caribbean destination.

Air arrivals break recordsFor the first time in a January period, air arrivals surpassed the 800,000-mark. A total of 825,847 passengers arrived by air...

The US Embassy in Santo Domingo reminds travelers that one of the most important steps before traveling abroad is to consider purchasing international medical insurance. The US Department of State strongly urges US citizens and US residents to consult with their medical insurance company prior to departure to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

A note in the US Embassy website reminds Americans that US medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred abroad unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Medicare does not cover medical costs outside the United States. Many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that include coverage for medical care overseas, including emergency services and evacuations.

The US Embassy makes the point that those seeking medical attention may...

In a move to add to the Dominican Republic’s standing as a premier regional healthcare hub, Arajet and the high-tech medical center Médico Express have signed a strategic alliance to streamline medical tourism across the Caribbean and the Americas.

The agreement, inked by Arajet CEO Víctor Pacheco and Médico Express executive president Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso, aims to bridge the gap between international patients and world-class healthcare through affordable, direct air connectivity. Dr. Cambiaso is one of the leading promoters of medical tourism in the Dominican Republic.

By integrating Arajet’s expansive flight network with the clinical excellence of Médico Express, the partnership creates a seamless “health corridor” for travelers seeking specialized treatments, advanced diagnostics, and preventive care. For many in the region, the high cost and logistical complexity...

Sandy Gabriel / El Día

The second edition of the renovated format of the Cabarete Jazz Festival is scheduled to take place on 6 June 2026, once again transforming the iconic northern Puerto Plata coastal town into a global epicenter for jazz and Caribbean culture.

Produced by Cabarete Tango and Mishu Music, the event aims to solidify Cabarete’s reputation as a premium destination where luxury, art, and nature converge. The festival organizers emphasized that the upcoming edition will build on the “before and after” impact of the 2025 event, which saw sold-out crowds and performances by legends like Arturo Sandoval and Paquito D’Rivera.

The 2026 roster features a vibrant mix of international stars and local virtuosos, designed to take attendees through a diverse history of jazz and tropical fusion:

Alfredo Rodríguez: The Cuban-born, Quincy Jones-mentored pianist known for his explosive...

The La Romana International Airports (LRM) can be reached by non-stop regular flights from North America and Europe. The airport is the choice airport for those heading to Casa de Campo. It is also equidistant from Juan Dolio (to the west) and Punta Cana (to the east), and is about an hour and a half from the capital city of Santo Domingo.

The airport is especially convenient for Casa de Campo as it is located just five minutes from check-in at the resort. The airport is also about 20 minutes away from beach resorts located in the Dominicus or Bayahibe areas.

As of January 2026, LRM offers direct flights to 9 destinations across 5 countries, connecting the Dominican Republic with major cities in North America and Europe. Below is the complete breakdown of airlines and routes connecting the world to La Romana from October 2025 through April 2026, making it easier for travelers to plan their...

The La Saladilla Beach Club announced it has reopened after a major upgrade of facilities to add accommodations for the luxury market. Under the ownership of entrepreneur Enric Dolsa, the renovated establishment operates on a low-density lodging model. The property’s philosophy centers on providing a tranquil environment where guests can connect with the natural landscape, El Nacional reports.

“The concept of the hotel is based on fewer guests, greater exclusivity, and an atmosphere of calm,” Dolsa explained. “Here, you pay more to enjoy more.”

The hotel’s culinary offerings emphasize intimacy, featuring personalized breakfasts served on private terraces or via room service. The current midday menu focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Plans are underway for an evening restaurant that will fuse traditional Dominican flavors with European techniques...

The Dominican Republic is solidifying its status as a premier global golf destination, as the PGA TOUR officially announced that the 2026 PGA TOUR Americas season will culminate on the island’s shores.

The season finale, the PGA Ocean’s 4 Tour Championship presented by Scotiabank, is scheduled to take place from 15 to 18 October 2026. The event will be hosted at the PGA Ocean’s 4 course, located within the Playa Nueva Romana residential community.

Playa Nueva Romana is located between the beach destinations of Juan Dolio and La Romana and is about a 40 minute drive from the capital city of Santo Domingo. This venue holds the distinction of being the only course in the country affiliated with the PGA of America.

The championship serves as the decisive milestone for the tour’s third season. It will feature the top 60 players from the season-long points standings, all vying for professional...