DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

A technical team from the National Office of Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (Onesvie) has launched a comprehensive assessment of the Camú Bridge in Puerto Plata following its structural collapse. The team is conducting technical surveys to determine the exact causes of the failure, the magnitude of the damage, and the necessary intervention measures as part of the Dominican government’s emergency response.

The structure succumbed to intense rainfall recorded over the past few hours, which triggered river overflows and widespread flooding across several sectors of the province. The collapse has completely severed traffic on this alternate road that connects Puerto Plata with Santiago de los Caballeros, causing significant concern among local residents and authorities in the neighboring municipality of Gaspar Hernández.

Technical leadership and...

The close ties Dominican expats maintain with their homeland continues to manifest itself. Remittances continue strong. The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) reported that remittance inflows reached US$3.02 billion during the first quarter of 2026 (January–March), marking a 1.9% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Dominicans living abroad send back their savings to help family and friends, and to invest in their future retirement in the country.

In March 2026 alone, the country received US$1.15 billion, a 3.5% year-on-year increase and a significant 29.5% jump from February 2026. This growth occurred despite international volatility caused by Middle Eastern conflicts, which have driven up fuel prices and pressured household disposable income.

Key drivers and US economic dataThe surge is primarily attributed to the Dominican diaspora in the United...

The second day of the national ID (cédula) renewal process in the National District saw a significant shift toward efficiency on 13 April 2026, following initial delays during the program’s launch on Sunday, El Nacional reports. Operations at the Central Electoral Board (JCE) centers were characterized by orderly queues and rapid processing times, contrasting with the typical crowds associated with mass documentation efforts.

Streamlined operations and logisticsAt key centers, including the Centro de los Héroes, the Second Circumscription Civil Registry, and the Ensanche Luperón office, citizens reported a seamless experience. The JCE has implemented a strict logistics protocol where personnel guide users through biometric data capture and photography immediately upon arrival.

To manage the volume, the JCE has established specific parameters for the renewal phase:•...

The number of state pensioners receiving special pensions in the Dominican Republic has experienced unprecedented growth over the last two years, adding nearly 38,000 new beneficiaries to the social security system. According to data from the Pensions Department (DGJP), a total of 37,983 individuals were added to the payroll between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2026.

The comfortable pensions are granted to select individuals at a time when pensions granted to those who have spent their life working are around 25% of what individuals were making when on the job. Political will has not been available to improve the pensions granted through the general security system, despite the high yield the intermediaries are making on the deal.

Statistics from the entity reveal that while there were 216,228 beneficiaries registered in the January-March 2024 period, that figure...

A recent nationwide audit ordered by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MICM) has revealed that 143 gas stations in the Dominican Republic are failing to meet the minimum octane quality standards for premium and regular gasoline.

The inspections, conducted by the specialized firm AIVEPET S.R.L., evaluated the Research Octane Number (RON) at 1,033 stations across the country. The findings, published on the MICM official website, indicate that approximately 14% of the nation’s fuel pumps are dispensing gasoline that falls below the regulated threshold of 94.5 octane.

Major brands topping the non-compliance listAccording to the MICM report, several major fuel retailers were identified as having the highest frequency of substandard fuel. The breakdown by brand for stations failing quality tests is as follows:•...

The Apolo 27 team from the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (Intec) achieved a significant milestone at the 2026 NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC), held at the Aviation Challenge facility in Huntsville, Alabama. On 11 April 2026, the team secured awards, bringing their total historical medal count to 15 awards over seven consecutive years of participation since 2019.

2026 Award SummaryThe team’s performance in 2026 was defined by both technical efficiency and community leadership. They competed in the College Human-Powered category, navigating an 800-meter lunar-simulated obstacle course.

The DR won the Team Spirit Award for collaboration and attitude for its third consecutive year (2024, 2025, 2026). Likewise, the Dominican students won the award for Industry STEM Engagement for education outreach, recognition for promoting STEM careers in...

A recent scientific expedition aboard the vessel Solace documented a record 513 humpback whale sightings in a single day at Navidad Bank, a submerged coral bank located 100 kilometers off the North/ Northeast coast of the Dominican Republic. The findings reported in Oceanographic Magazine confirm the area is one of the world’s most significant breeding grounds for North Atlantic humpbacks.

While the Marine Mammal Sanctuary of Bancos de la Plata y la Navidad is known as a critical winter nursery, Navidad Bank has historically been the least-studied zone within the sanctuary. The expedition was a collaborative effort between the Fundación Puntacana, the Dominican Foundation for Marine Studies (Fundemar), EYOS Expeditions, and Yachts for Science.

The unprecedented data on whale density will be presented to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to advocate for strengthened regional...

The Dominican Republic’s tourism sector continues to set new records in visitors by air and sea. Tourism Minister David Collado says that 3,710,374 visitors arrived during the first quarter of 2026. Collado reported the figures during a press conference in Santo Domingo, noting that the country has now surpassed the 1.3 million monthly visitor mark for five consecutive months. The country is on a path to set a new record for arrivals in 2026.

The 3,710,374 arrivals recorded from January through March 2026 represent a significant upward trend compared to previous years. The Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) highlighted the following growth benchmarks for the quarter:• 10.8% increase compared to 2025• 14.8% increase compared to 2024• 28.7% increase compared to 2023• 64.1% increase compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic baseline)

Of the total quarterly visitors, 2,603,777 arrived...

Just like Colombians did after low cost airlines added non-stop flights on several Colombia-DR routes, Mexicans are now discovering the Dominican Republic. The same is happening for Dominicans who are now flying in groups of friends and families to Mexico, enjoying the world class Mexican attractions.

Once Arajet entered the market with flights in 2022 into Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU) on the outskirts of Mexico City, promotions and word of mouth have stimulated travel between both countries.

This has stimulated Mexican tourists to travel to the country to discover what all the hype is about the Dominican Republic. Likewise, Dominican tourists are discovering Mexico’s many destinations, making it a win-win situation for both countries.

The Ministry of Tourism reports that air arrivals of Mexican tourists were 160,953 passengers in 2025, up 39.9% compared to...

Six leading travel agencies and industry organizations participated in the DR Miami Road Show and took advantage of the occasion to recognize the Dominican Republic for its achievements, the Ministry of Tourism reported. The surge in accolades follows a sustained period of growth for the Dominican Republic, which has consistently outpaced regional competitors in arrivals and infrastructure development.

The accolades were presented on Tuesday, 7 April 2026 and distinguished the country as a premier global destination, specifically highlighting its dominance in the Caribbean and its rapid growth within the Latin American market.

Tourism Minister David Collado received the awards. He had words of praise for industry executives for their leadership and vision in positioning the Dominican Republic as a benchmark for quality and innovation in the post-pandemic era...

The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism solidified its position as a Caribbean leader during the fourth annual Dominican Republic Roadshow in Miami on 7 April 2026. Tourism Minister David Collado described the event as a “resounding success,” noting that the gathering has evolved into the nation’s most vital commercial platform.

Strategic agreements and market growthThe roadshow served as the backdrop for the signing of more than 42 agreements aimed at securing future visitor flows to the country. While the initial report indicated 15 agreements, later updates confirmed the total reached over 40 partnerships. These pacts were inked between the Ministry of Tourism and a diverse array of airlines, travel agencies, and tour operators.

Key signatories included:• Destination Weddings• Northstar Travel Group• Prince Travel• Signature Travel Network• Voyages en Direct• Viajes Palacio• MSC...

Vice President Raquel Peña, accompanied by Tourism Minister David Collado and Port Authority (Apordom) executive director Jean Luis Rodríguez, officially inaugurated the first of three development stages of the Samaná Bayport cruise terminal in Samana city on Saturday, 11 April 2026. The Presidency reports that the new terminal and tourist complex, executed by the Temarsam Consortium, is designed to transform the economy and tourism experience of Samaná province.

The terminal can accommodate up to three cruise ships simultaneously. It is designed to handle up to 10,000 daily passengers. Beyond port functions, the complex includes commercial areas with food and beverage outlets, a beach club, a swimming pool, and green recreation spaces.

The site features a tourist information center, a transportation hub for excursions and taxis, a multipurpose...

After the torrential rains that fell since the early start of Wednesday, 8 April 2026, caught people in Greater Santo Domingo by surprise, Indomet director Gloria Ceballos personally warned everyone more rains were on the way for the weekend. Last Wednesday, 8 April 2026, heavy rains associated with a trough and a frontal system resulted in at least one fatality in western Santo Domingo and the displacement of thousands. The city had been under a green alert.

Weather office director Ceballos this time around alerted people in Greater Santo Domingo (National District and Santo Domingo province) to prepare for more rains over the weekend. Greater Santo Domingo was under a yellow alert given by the Center for Emergency Operations (COE). The Indomet director explained that the atmospheric instability is caused by a combination of a frontal system and a trough (vaguada) lingering...

Marcos Barinas / El Día

In recent years, the capital city government has stepped up the permits granted for high rises. City residents have seen how apartment buildings have been authorized where there were single family homes in prime residential and commercial areas such as Piantini, Evaristo Morales and Naco. Lack of parking, size of streets, drainage and water supply has been ignored. A recent interview in El Dia looks into the consequences of the boom in new high rise developments.

The recent torrential rains in Greater Santo Domingo, which saw sudden accumulations exceeding 300 millimeters, flooded Greater Santo Domingo from midnight to the early morning on Wednesday, 8 April 2026. There were stranded vehicles and collapsed intersections.

While the volume of water was exceptional, architect and urban planner Marcos Barinas warns that the crisis is less a natural inevitability and...

In the face of current events in the Middle East, where Iran threatens the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and where oil prices are dancing above US$100 a barrel, President Luis Abinader has called for wide-reaching meetings with government officials, unions, and business all together. Minister of the Presidency Jose Ignacio Paliza told reporters that business leaders and administration officials had exchanged ideas and proposals that would protect economic growth in the face of the realities of the Iran crisis. One of the results of these meetings was an increase in gasoline prices. More policies are expected to be put into practice, if the Iran crisis continues.

One of the objectives of the meetings is to do everything possible to maintain food and essential goods prices under control, by increasing subsidies in some cases. Minister of Hacienda and...

As it has done for many decades, the meteorologists at Colorado State University have issued their first forecast for the 2026 Hurricane Season. The CSU Tropical Weather Department says that 2026 will be slightly less active, with 13 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes of Category 3 or stronger.

This is slightly below the historical average, but differs from their 2025 forecast that had 13 tropical storms, 5 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes. The number of major hurricanes is relative, as all one needs is one major hurricane to turn life upside down when it hits.

We are still a month and a half away from the start of the 2026 Hurricane Season on 1 June. The Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season lasts until November of each year. You’ve probably heard rumblings about the burgeoning El Niño, and possible Super Niño, shaping up in the tropical Pacific. El Niño is...

The ubiquitous “cedula” is the personal ID card that every Dominican over the age of 16, as well as every person with legal residence in the Dominican Republic must have for the tasks of daily life. Bank accounts, cell phone accounts, travel and business all require at some moment the presentation of the cedula.

The Central Electoral Board (JCE) has worked for more than three years preparing for the introduction of a more secure document, and on Sunday, 12 April 2026 the process began for those born in the month of April.

The JCE is trying to make the process as simple as possible. But media reports say that the JCE got off to a slow start with many who had appointments had to wait for long hours to get their card. People who went through the procedure on Sunday recommend setting aside a full day to get the cedula, to tell from their own experience. The JCE had...

The Dominican Republic has been selected as the winner of the international “Country CureAll 2026” award, a recognition granted jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the United States. The announcement, made on 12 April 2026, highlights the country’s significant progress in improving pediatric cancer care and survival rates.

The Country CureAll is an annual global competition that evaluates the collaborative efforts between national health ministries, WHO regional offices, and partner organizations. The Dominican Republic secured wins in two specific categories:• Alignment: For successfully integrating the pillars of the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer into national health policy.• Impact: For achieving measurable improvements in patient care and access to treatment.

Context and goalsThe award is part...

Nelson R. Torres / Listin Diario

A high-level trade mission comprising 15 Puerto Rican companies is visiting from 13 to 17 April 2026. The delegation seeks to secure new investment opportunities and establish strategic partnerships with local firms to market Puerto Rican goods and services while positioning the “Island of Enchantment” as a prime destination for Dominican investment capital.

ProDominicana indicates that total Dominican exports to Puerto Rico were US$706.9 million in 2025, making Puerto Rico the fifth largest destination for Dominican goods, following the United States (US$7.12 billion), India, Haiti and Canada. Dominican imports from Puerto Rico were approximately US$476 million last year.

Nelson Rafael Torres Martínez, executive director of the Puerto Rico Government Office in the Dominican Republic, emphasized in...

The Ministry of Education and the Dominican Journalists Guild (CDP) announced on 6 April 2026 that Aníbal de Castro had been selected as the winner of the 2026 National Journalism Award. The jury, which evaluated 36 candidates, cited his 50-year career marked by ethical rigor and a “critical, analytical” approach to communication.

De Castro began his professional journey in the 1960s at El Nacional under the direction of Freddy Gatón Arce. He later moved to the evening paper Ultima Hora, where he served as editor-in-chief and director between 1981 and 1992. In 1994, he founded the investigative magazine Rumbo and later, in 2002, he established Diario Libre, the first free daily newspaper in the Dominican Republic.

His career includes a significant period in the diplomatic service, where he represented the Dominican Republic as ambassador to the United Kingdom, the United States...

The Santo Domingo Cathedral choir performed on Sunday, 13 April 2026 in honor of the 236 who died in the collapse of the JetSet Club roof on 8 April 2026. The mass was held to commemorate the anniversary of the tragedy that shook the nation.

Siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat are the main accused of involuntary homicide with a maximum of two years in jail sentence in the penal case. A technical forensic report indicated there was negligence.

During a memorial mass held on Sunday to honor the 236 victims of the Jet Set nightclub roof collapse, Father Rogelio publicly questioned the stance taken by the Espaillat family (siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat) regarding the tragedy. In the middle of his homily, the priest expressed his dissatisfaction with what he described as a distant attitude in the face of such a high-magnitude event. “Why the attitude? ¿Why...

Mary Louise Ventura / Acento

The Collegiate Court of the Villa Altagracia Judicial District has sentenced Mary Louise Ventura Garrido to 10 years in prison for the homicide of renowned dancer and actress Patricia Ascuasiati. The ruling comes after the court accepted the prosecution’s case led by fiscal José Andrés Fernández Javier.

The tragic event took place on 15 February 2022, at approximately 4pm, near Kilometer 40 of the Duarte Highway in Villa Altagracia. According to the investigation, the two women, close friends for over 40 years, were traveling in a white sedan driven by Ventura Garrido. The victim reportedly asked Ventura to stop the vehicle after noticing reckless driving.

Upon exiting the car with the intention of taking over the driver’s seat, Patricia Ascuasiati was struck by the vehicle as she crossed in front of it to get into the driver’s seat. Prosecutors argued...

In a display of regional unity and ancestral reverence, the heart of one of the Americas’ most iconic civilizations, the Teotihuacán Archaeological Zone, served as the stage this past Saturday, 11 April 2026, for the lighting of the new fire for the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026. The 70-minute ceremony seamlessly blended tradition and solemnity to mark the official countdown toward the regional multi-sport event.

More than 6,000 athletes from 37 participating nations will take part in the games that kick off at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium on 24 July 2026 in the Dominican capital city. The games will last until 8 August.

The proceedings began at 10:30am with the presentation of the presiding officials and the protocol for flags and anthems, gathering sports authorities, government officials, and representatives from the 37...

The Abinader administration recently announced millions have been spent for a modern radar (C-Band Solid-State Dual-Polarization Doppler Radar) installed at Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) to enhance private aviation security and the safety of those in the Greater Santo Domingo and the southcentral region.

Yes, Santo Domingo now has its own weather radar, but apparently, the people at the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) do not have the training to read the data and alert the population in a timely way. There is a difference between scattered rains and intense downpours that call for special preventive actions. The details in the data provided by the radar enable experienced weather forecasters to tell the difference.

On 7 April 2026, the National Meteorological Institute (Indomet) issued its usual daily weather forecast indicating that a trough would be moving our...

The “Justice for Jet Set Movement” announced the postponement of commemorative activities originally scheduled for Wednesday, 8 April 2026, marking the first anniversary of the structural collapse that claimed 236 lives, Listin Diario reported. The events have been rescheduled for Thursday, 9 April 2026, following emergency directives issued by authorities in response to heavy rainfall affecting several provinces since the early morning hours.

In a statement released via social media, the organization cited “force majeure” and the need to comply with safety protocols issued by relevant institutions as the primary reasons for the delay.

The original itinerary for Wednesday was set to begin at 10am with a mass led by Father Rogelio, followed by a formal tribute at 11am. Afternoon memorials were scheduled from 2pm to 5pm, concluding with a 7pm solemn...

During a memorial mass in Santiago de los Caballeros marking the first anniversary of the Jet Set nightclub collapse, Minister of Public Works Eduardo Estrella broke his public silence regarding the legal process, warning of a higher accountability if the courts fail to deliver a fair ruling. Estrella, who lost his son Eduardo Guarionex, his daughter-in-law Alexandra Grullón, and his daughter-in-law’s uncles Eduardo Grullón and Johanna Rodríguez de la Cruz in the disaster, emphasized that the Dominican people are watching the proceedings closely.

Most scheduled commemorative acts for the anniversary were partially suspended or moved due to a trough causing heavy rains and flooding across Greater Santo Domingo on 8 April.

“We expect the Dominican justice system to act as it should, not just as the families expect, but as society and the Dominican people expect,” Estrella stated.

A...

Antonio and Maribel Espaillat / Listin Diario

One year after the Jet Set nightclub tragedy, Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso warned that the justice system must not become a stage for “unnecessary delays” in the face of the victims’ suffering, as reported in Listin Diario. The tragedy, which remains one of the most significant structural failures in recent Dominican history, occurred on 8 April 2025. Reynoso spoke on occasion of the first anniversary of the tragedy and shared the indignation of the victims’ relatives of the delay in the actual start of the hearings of the case.

The accused siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat are free on bail. They face penal charges of involuntary manslaughter.

Reynoso stated that the Public Ministry has a constitutional mission to protect the rights of those affected by the collapse of the nightclub, an event that resulted in...

The Central Electoral Board (JCE) is set to begin the nationwide issuance of the new Dominican Identity and Electoral Card (Cédula) on 12 April 2026. To prevent the logistical bottlenecks that have plagued previous mass renewals, authorities have implemented a phased rollout based on the applicant’s birth month.

Under the new guidelines, citizens born in April will be the first eligible group to process their new documents. The JCE emphasizes that this transition is not merely a cosmetic update but a critical overhaul of the nation’s primary identification system to meet modern international security standards.

Phase one: The birthday-month protocolThe JCE has deployed a network of over 190 card-issuing centers across the country. To ensure an orderly flow, the following schedule and rules apply:

Priority access: Starting 12 April 2026, only those born in April may apply...

Hospiten has announced a US$80 million investment for the construction of Hospiten Punta Cana, a state-of-the-art medical facility designed to blend advanced clinical technology with rigorous environmental sustainability. The new medical center will be located in the Puntacana area to serve upscale customers in the Puntacana Resort & Club, Puntacana Village and Cap Cana areas. It expects to service both health tourism (tourists that come for elective and cost-saving medical services) as well as medical tourism (emergencies and critical care of tourists already in the country).

Hospiten was one of the first medical centers to open in the Punta Cana area when it opened its Hospiten Bavaro in 2000 at the time to service tourists staying in Bavaro Beach resorts. The company later opened the Hospiten Santo Domingo in Santo Domingo (2003).

The new project in Punta Cana, unveiled by...

The World Bank released its latest regional economic update on 8 April 2026, projecting that economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) will slow to 2.1% this year. This is a decline from the 2.4% growth recorded in 2025, as the region grapples with persistent global headwinds, high borrowing costs, and stagnant investment.

The report, titled “Slow Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean amid Global Uncertainty and Weak Investment,” highlights a challenging macroeconomic landscape. William Maloney, World Bank Chief Economist for LAC, emphasized that the region is missing out on major opportunities like nearshoring due to deep-seated productivity gaps and the rise of new trade barriers.

While the broader LAC region struggles, the Dominican Republic remains a regional outlier, consistently outperforming its neighbors. In its most recent...

Source: El Día

Expect Santo Domingo to host a world swimming championships in months to come. World Aquatics has certified the Santo Domingo Aquatics Center, located within the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center, and renovated for the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 that will take place in July and August 2026.

The facility now features four pools designed and built by the global aquatic firm Fluidra, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Buildings (MIVED).

The complex has received international certification from World Aquatics, confirming that its new installations meet the rigorous technical standards required for high-level global competitions and world record validation. The pools now feature climatization.

The Aquatic Center features four swimming pool. A diving pool, and two 50-meter swimming pools with...

The official countdown to the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games (CACG) begins Saturday, 11 April 2026 with a vibrant cultural ceremony in Mexico, marking the start of the torch relay toward the host city of Santo Domingo.

The symbolic journey will commence at the Teotihuacán Archaeological Park in Mexico City, featuring a performance by a troupe of cultural dancers. María José Alcalá, president of the Mexican Olympic Committee, will preside over the event, which culminates with the lighting of the flame in front of the iconic Pyramid of the Sun. This location is traditionally chosen for the “New Fire” ceremony to honor ancestral rituals and the spirit of unity among regional nations.

Much like the Olympic Flame is always lit in Olympia, Greece, to honor the ancient games, the Central American and Caribbean games often use Teotihuacán as their “Olympia.” Since 1995...

The Organizing Committee for the Santo Domingo 2026 XXV Central American and Caribbean Games has officially designated Uepa Tickets as the exclusive distributor for event ticketing. The collaboration aims to provide a streamlined, high-tech purchasing experience for both local and international fans attending the multi-sport regional event.

Uepa Tickets is the leading vendor of online tickets to events in the Dominican Republic.

The agreement was formalized by José P. Monegro, president of the Organizing Committee, and Fernando Queipo, president of Uepa Tickets. Under the terms of the partnership, the ticketing system will prioritize “accessible pricing” and leverage an extensive network of physical distribution points across the Dominican Republic, alongside a robust digital platform.

The organizing committee of the 25th Games explained that Uepa Tickets will deploy a...

Source: Somos Pueblo TV

One year after the catastrophic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub on the first hour of 8 April 2025, survivors, grieving families, and citizens from across the country will gather for a series of commemorative activities. 236 persons died and at least 180 were seriously injured. The event stands as one of the nation’s most devastating structural failures and left a profound mark on the Dominican social fabric.

The National District City Council declared 8 April 2026 a day of mourning. Among the dead in the roof collapse of the Jet Set nightclub was Christian Tejeda, director of the Urban Infrastructure Department and Bianka Reyes, operational coordinator for the Municipal Cleanup Department.

The memorial acts began at 10pm on Tuesday, 7 April 2026 with a candlelight vigil in front of the nightclub’s ruins under the falling rain...

The Trust for the Development of the Mass Transportation System of the Dominican Republic (Fitram) announced on Tuesday, 7 April 2026, that commuters will not be charged for the Line 2C ride on the Santo Domingo Metro, Diario Libre reported. Fitram says the charges are now scheduled to begin in May once the trial period is completed. The 2C Line (7.3 km and five stations) began offering service right after its inauguration on 24 February 2026.

While Fitram had previously indicated that fares would be collected starting after the Easter holidays, the complimentary period is extended to give more time to finalize the infrastructure.

The mandatory transfer at the Franklin Mieses Burgos station (near Avenida Monumental) remains in effect. Diario Libre explained that Fitram originally planned to eliminate this transfer point by April, technical requirements and the need to manage high...

A persistent trough (vaguada) across various levels of the troposphere, combined with moisture-laden winds from the east/southeast, continues to trigger moderate to heavy showers, thunderstorms, and occasional wind gusts across the Dominican Republic. The weather forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, 8 and 9 April 2026, is for heavy rains. The east coast is spared from the heavy rains.

The weather forecasters at the National Meteorological Institute (Indomet) report the rains that began on Tuesday will intensify with potential hail in some areas. The unstable pattern is expected to persist through the following Wednesday, 8 April 2026. While there may be morning scattered showers in the eastern and central regions, intense activity will ramp up during the afternoon, particularly in the Cibao Valley and along the western Haitian border.

Meteorological alertsDue to the high risk of urban flooding and...

Minister of Interior and Police Faride Raful reported that the 2026 Easter Week (Semana Santa) security operations resulted in the lowest homicide figures recorded in recent years. As of 5 April 2026, a total of 19 people died for suspected actions of criminals as documented during the holiday period.

Speaking following the Citizen Security Plan follow-up meeting on Tuesday, 7 April 2026, in the presence of President Luis Abinader, Minister Raful attributed the decline to the intensified operational reinforcement of the Joint Task Force. The strategy prioritized preventative patrols and active deterrence in high-traffic areas.

The 19 reported fatalities represent a 51% reduction compared to the same period in 2023. Furthermore, the figures show a 41% average decrease against previous years, where homicide tolls frequently reached as high as 39 during...

The Dominican government, acting through the Ministry of Hacienda and Economy, has issued Resolution 164-2026. requiring all cruise ships operating casinos or gambling halls within Dominican territorial waters to obtain an official license. Under the new regulatory framework, licensing fees for these maritime gaming operations are tiered based on vessel capacity, reaching up to RD$1.5 million.

The government seeks new revenues from the floating casinos that dock at the Amber Cove, Taino Bay ports in Puerto Plata, the Casa de Campo Port in La Romana and off Catalina Island, and the Cabo Rojo Port in Pedernales, the Sans Souci Port in Santo Domingo and the Samana Port that will open in Samana in November 2026.

The resolution establishes the legal framework for “first-class cruise ships” to operate gambling halls while in Dominican waters. As noted in your draft, the...

Major Dominican vehicle dealerships secured changes to a recent government tender for the procurement of 100 garbage compacting trucks. The tender was valued at around RD$760 million. El Nacional has been covering the tender for its readers.

In response to the protests from vehicle dealerships, the Administrative Ministry of the Presidency (MAPFRE) announced on 7 April 2026 that it revised the tender for the purchase of garbage trucks.

The Ministry issued a statement clarifying that it has “left without effect” the original terms of the bidding process (Tender MAPRE-CCC-SI-2026-0001) following the complaints regarding restrictive conditions and restrictive delivery deadlines.

The protesting suppliers alleged that the original bidding process, organized by the Administrative Ministry of the Presidency, was rigged to favor a single pre-selected supplier...

The authors of a study of air pollution in Santo Domingo published in Atmosphere are warning of the high levels of heavy metals generated mainly by the traffic jams in Greater Santo Domingo.

The authors emphasize that this study fills a major gap in Caribbean environmental research. They call for the Dominican government to strengthen environmental monitoring systems and move toward more rigorous emission control policies to mitigate health risks for the residents of Santo Domingo. The study dates back to 2022, thus if the study were to be updated in 2026, the findings would likely be worse because traffic and industry has intensified.

The researchers warn that because these metals are bound to respirable particles, they pose a severe risk to the population. Prolonged exposure to these elements is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, neurological...

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero / Diario Libre

The General Migration Agency (DGM) has denied a public information request seeking to verify whether former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero holds Dominican citizenship or any official residency status in the country. The request, filed on 11 February 2026, aimed to confirm the existence of administrative records without requesting sensitive personal data.

In its official refusal, the DGM argued that the requested information is private. The agency cited Article 44 of the Dominican Constitution, alongside Law 200-04 on Free Access to Public Information and Law 172-13 on Data Protection. According to the DGM, disclosing even the existence of an administrative file would violate the privacy rights of the individual in question.

Context of the inquiryThe denial comes amid heightened public scrutiny regarding...

Monika Infante / Diario Libre

Manzanillo Gas & Power (MG&P) has announced the appointment of lawyer Mónika Infante Henríquez as the project’s new general manager. The company expects the move to strengthen its strategic positioning within the energy sector and bolster the project’s impact on national energy security.

The Manzanillo project, located in Montecristi, represents a total investment exceeding US$1.7 billion and includes two combined-cycle power plants totaling 840 MW and a natural gas regasification terminal. Under her leadership, MG&P aims to contribute significantly to the Dominican Republic’s energy security and socio-economic development, operating under international standards and responsible environmental management.

Infante Henríquez joins the project after serving from 2012 to 2026 as head officer at Aeropuertos Dominicanos XXI (Aerodom – VINCI Airports). Before...

René Brea / Ensegundos Do

Renowned television producer René Brea has officially taken the helm as the General Production Director at CDN (Channel 37), marking a strategic shift in his career from entertainment to broadcast news. Brea, who recently resigned as programming director for the Telemicro Media Group, joins the CDN executive team with a mandate to modernize the station’s content strategy.

In a recent interview with veteran host Jochi Santos on the show Es Temprano Todavía (Color Visión), Brea revealed what may be plans to take a creative approach to journalism. He spoke of his long-standing ambition to reinvent the news cycle. “I am aching to do a news program. I want to take the news and turn it on its head,” Brea stated.

Brea argued that while the facts of a story remain constant, the delivery has become stagnant in the face of digital competition. He emphasized that the...

Dominican star José Ramírez officially cemented his legacy as the most enduring figure in the 125-year history of the Cleveland franchise on Monday, 6 April 2026. By taking the field against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field, the 33-year-old third baseman appeared in his 1,620th career game, surpassing the record held by Terry Turner for over 108 years.

The milestone was marked with a mid-game ceremony before the sixth inning. Longtime coach Sandy Alomar Jr. presented Ramírez with the third base bag as the Cleveland crowd offered a standing ovation. With this appearance, Ramírez also became the only active player in Major League Baseball to lead his current franchise in games played.

While the “games played” record is the latest to fall, it is merely one chapter in what has become an assault on the Cleveland record books. Ramírez already stands alone as...

Yaxel Lendeborg / El Día

Those who follow Dominican basketball need to be aware of Yaxel Lendeborg, the new star in USA college basketball who was on the Michigan Wolverines team that on 6 April 2026 won the 2026 NCAA tournament. Lendeborg, a 6’9? forward, played a pivotal role in Michigan’s championship run, particularly on the defensive end where he averaged 2.1 blocks per game during the tournament.

Yaxel Lendeborg delivered 13 points in the final game the Michigan Wolverines played against the UConn Huskies 69-63 on 6 April 2026 to win the NCAA Division I men’s basketball national championship. This victory marked Michigan’s first national title since 1989 and ended a 37-year championship drought for the program.

Lendeborg is only the fourth Dominican to be on a winning team. The others are:• Charlie Villanueva: The first Dominican to achieve the feat, Villanueva was a key contributor...

Preparation for the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 is advancing steadily, with the Organizing Committee reporting that the majority of sports infrastructure is either already delivered, in the process of being handed over or in the final stages of completion. Scheduled to run from 24 July to 8 August 2026, the event is the most significant regional competition in the Olympic cycle, and the current pace of construction places the Dominican Republic in an unusually strong position compared to previous host nations.

Completed and high-performance ready facilitiesSeveral key disciplines are already fully equipped with competition-ready venues, some of which have been functional since 2023. These include table tennis, archery, field hockey, rowing, canoeing, and clay pigeon shooting. Facilities previously repaired to serve...