DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

President Luis Abinader visited the Arturo Fuente “La Milagrosa” tobacco farm in Monte Plata on Tuesday, 17 March 2026. The visit focused on the advanced technology being used by the Arturo Fuente company to produce high-quality “capa” (wrapper) leaves, with the goal of replicating this model in other regions of the Dominican Republic.

President Abinader was accompanied by chairman Carlos Fuente and CEO Ciro Cascella. The President emphasized that the “La Milagrosa” model is a benchmark for the industry, specifically for the production of the “capa,” the finest and most expensive leaf used in premium cigars. The government cited the Fuente model as the “gold standard” it seeks to replicate across other provinces to improve leaf quality and export value.

It is important to distinguish between “premium” and “machine-made” cigars...

The Dominican Republic is accelerating its territorial organization efforts through a sweeping modernization of national geospatial data, centered on the expansion of the national geodesic network and the implementation of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. This high-resolution cartography is a cornerstone of a broader initiative to refine land-use planning, prevent the occupation of high-risk zones, and enhance the precision of both public and private sector decision-making.

The initiative was announced by the Ministry of the Presidency on 17 March 2026 as part of general advances on an overall Regional Plan for Territorial Planning and Development with World Bank backing. The works are aimed at overhaulng the Dominican Republic’s territorial planning and urban growth models to foster long-term resilience and...

An opinion piece in Diario Libre today by Carlos Sully Bonelly Ginebra raises the concerns of the lack of transparency in mega projects the government has been executing under the structure of public trusts. The structure removes regular oversight from government actions.

Bonelly Ginebra writes on how public trusts have become one of the main instruments for executing large infrastructures in the Dominican Republic, yet their rapid expansion raises a key question: Which rules should govern their governance and public control?

He observes that the first trust was the Red Vial created during the Danilo Medina administration in 2013. The lack of transparency and free hand of the government in this trust has been questioned. The mechanism allowed the government to make international bond placements guaranteed by the tolls.

The RD Vial Trust was created back in 2013 for the operation...

The Dominican peso has reached its strongest level against the U.S. dollar in over a year, a trend driven by recent sovereign bond issuances and robust inflows from the tourism and remittance sectors.

According to data from the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) and reporting by Diario Libre, the exchange rate dropped by 37 cents on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, closing at RD$59.08 (down from RD$59.45 the previous day). Central Bank historical data shows the major downward trend actually accelerated following the bond announcement in late January 2026.

Factors driving the appreciationEconomists interviewed by Diario Libre highlight a combination of fiscal strategy and strong external sector performance:Sovereign Debt Issuance: Economist Henrys Espinal attributes the March decline primarily to the influx of foreign currency from the government’s bond sale. He anticipates relative stability...

Financial group-owned pension plan administrators are reporting billions in earnings, while those retiring on these plans feel they are being shortchanged. The pension plans paid are so low the government is spending billions on awarding complementary pensions to selected beneficiaries to compensate for the low pensions in the system. Big banks and financial companies control the AFPs.

A new comprehensive study released on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, reveals that the Dominican Republic’s Pension Fund Administrators (AFP) recorded profits of more than RD$5.93 billion in 2025. This financial success comes despite the grim outlook for contributors, whose future pensions are projected to be uncertain and, on average, will not exceed 30% of their final working wages. The situation at retirement is not worse because workers still get their severance payments from many companies.

The “Analysis of...

The Coalition for the Defense of Protected Areas issued a firm warning on 18 March 2026, rejecting a legislative proposal to construct a high-security penitentiary on Beata Island. The coalition characterized the project as a “flagrant environmental crime” and an “outrage” against the Dominican Republic’s conservation system. The project for the 10,000-inmate jail on Beata had received a favorable report from the Permanent Commission of the Public Ministry on 26 November 2025.

The proposal, which appeared on the agenda of the Chamber of Deputies’ ordinary session (No. 00006) on 18 March 2026, seeks to request that the Executive Branch establish a “model” prison on the island. The proposal was originally introduced on 21 June 2022 by deputies Elías Wessin Chávez (National District), Miguel Alberto Bogaert Marra (Santo Domingo), and Miguel Ángel de los Santos (National...

Following a 25-year tenure in the Dominican public sector, Julissa Cruz Abreu has been named the Director of Sustainable Digital Infrastructure for CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. She had joined the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) in 2001.

In her new regional capacity, Cruz Abreu will spearhead strategic initiatives to bolster connectivity, technological resilience, and sustainable growth across the continent. Her mandate includes overseeing the development of data centers, enhancing regional computing capabilities, and integrating energy efficiency and renewable sources into digital frameworks.

“I firmly believe in the power of regional and multilateral cooperation to accelerate digital transformation with social and environmental impact,” Cruz Abreu stated regarding her appointment.

Cruz Abreu transitions to CAF after serving as the...

The Ministry of Housing (Mived) has officially received the international certification for the newly renovated Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center’s Aquatic Center. Rebuilt by Spanish global leader Fluidra, the complex’s three pools are now now certified for international record-breaking.

What’s new? Full climate control and advanced water heating/cooling, a specialized “dryland” gym for elite divers, and state-of-the-art modular steel construction for 100% Olympic precision.

The renovation of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center’s aquatic complex marks a significant milestone for the Dominican Republic as it prepares to host the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in July 2026.

On 17 March 2026, the Ministry of Housing and Buildings (Mived) officially received the international certification confirming that the facility now meets the rigorous...

Judge Fátima Veloz of the National District Permanent Attention Services Judicial Office has imposed a three-month pretrial detention measure against men implicated in the high-stakes robbery of the Popi Oro Jewelry store in the Cristo Rey sector. Cristo Rey is a low income area and the store was known for its pawn store services. This ruling follows three previous attempts to hold the coercive measure hearing, as the judicial system navigates the complexities of a case involving a “prison-planned” operation.

On Saturday, 7 March 2026, the assailants broke the glass entrance of the store and entered the establishment using heavy weaponry and wearing bulletproof vests, demonstrating a high level of tactical preparation. Thus far, the National Police have recovered 10 yellow-metal chains, several communication radios, and the white SUV used in the escape, which was abandoned...

The French Embassy in the Dominican Republic, in collaboration with the Alliance Française and the Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex), is celebrating the 2026 edition of Francophonie Month. Under the theme “Esencias y matices” (Essences and Nuances), this year’s program features over 100 activities across the country, highlighting the cultural, linguistic, and diplomatic ties between the Dominican Republic and the 88 member states of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).

French Ambassador Sonia Barbry has explained that French is more than a language; it is a “political, cultural, and human project based on democracy and solidarity.” Highlighting the local impact, she noted that approximately 900,000 Dominican students learn French in secondary education, supported by a network of 2,000 teachers.

During the 2026 Francophonie event, a first ADEF...

The 41st edition of the Soberano Awards concluded on the night of 18 March 2026 at the Eduardo Brito National Theater, crowning veteran broadcaster Jochy Santos with the Gran Soberano, the highest honor in Dominican arts. The ceremony, organized by the Association of Art Writers (Acroarte) and produced by César Suárez Jr., highlighted a mix of legendary figures and emerging talents across more than 50 categories. This year the show hosts were Georgina Duluc and Irving Alberti.

Jochy Santos, a staple of Dominican radio and television for decades, received the Gran Soberano in a year that coincides with the 30th anniversary of his radio program. Upon receiving the statuette from Acroarte president Marivell Contreras, Santos called for a commitment to “elevate the level of communication” in the country.

Key Winners in Music and Entertainment• Merenguero of the Year: Héctor Acosta...

The show business gala, the Soberano Awards, held annually at the National Theater is also an opportunity to showcase Dominican fashion.

The Red Carpet held from 7 to 9pm before the start of the actual Soberano Awards in the Carlos Piantini Hall of the National Theater is the time when outfits by Dominican designers is presented to the general public. The fashion attire designed for the outstanding figures of the hosts, the nominees and special guests receives equal coverage by the media.

For 2026, the media mentioned the “Veneno” dress by designer Luis Dominguez for Gabi Desangles that incorporated a jeweled scorpion, and the larimar-colored dress by Suzelle Taveras for Amara La Negra. Taveras also designed the red outfit for communicator Oriana Falla.

In its coverage of the Soberano Awads 2026, Diario Libre features a historic recount on some of the most commented attires...

The Ministry of the Presidency presented the proposal on 17 March 2026 for the nation’s first commercial spaceport. Developed by Florida-based Launch On Demand (LOD) Holdings, the project is slated for the municipality of Oviedo in southwestern Pedernales province, marking a strategic pivot toward the global space economy.

The project is another of many projects to create industry and opportunities to increase the Dominican population in Pedernales province on the border with Haiti.

The population in the area works mainly in farming and ecotourism, with birdwatching excursions popular in the Oviedo Lagoon. The Parque Eólico Los Cocos wind farm is located 50 km from Oviedo. For the windpark installation, a comprehensive study was conducted by the firm Sercitec for EGE Haina. The study characterized the bird species in the Barahona and Pedernales corridor to...

Noise pollution has emerged as the most frequently reported environmental crime in the Dominican Republic, with the Specialized Attorney General’s Office for the Defense of the Environment and Natural Resources (Proedemaren) receiving more than 5,000 cases per month nationwide. Noise pollution is a cultural problem. Dominicans like music loud. High music levels are currently viewed as a public health concern by the Ministry of Public Health.

The Ministry of Interior and Police under Minister Faride Raful has sought to tackle the issue, with many successes, but the cultural issues have yet to be resolved so that the population understands the damage caused by high noise levels.

Assistant Attorney General Francisco Contreras told El Dia that noise complaints significantly outpace other infractions. Regulated under Law 90-19 on Acoustic Pollution, these violations...

The Constitutional Court (TC) has issued a series of rulings reiterating that it is not a venue for reviewing facts, weighing evidence, or reopening closed litigation. The court, now under new leadership, is pushing back against a recurring pattern of legal appeals attempting to use the high court as a “fourth instance” of appeal for ordinary legal matters, Diario Libre reports in its coverage of recent rulings.

In dozens of recent rulings, the TC has insisted that its function is strictly limited to constitutional control and does not extend to the merits of individual cases.

Limits of constitutional jurisdictionIn ruling TC/0489/24, the judges, including Eunisis Vásquez, Miguel A. Valera, and Domingo A. Gil, clarified that cases lack constitutional relevance when the resolution requires the TC to intervene in “matters of ordinary legality” or to “re-evaluate the criteria...

The Central Electoral Board (JCE) has established a tiered schedule for the conclusion of the identity card renewal process, distinguishing between residents within the national territory and those living abroad who are given more time. Anyone who has not transitioned to the new document by their respective deadline will face the “administrative civil death” mentioned previously, resulting in the immediate suspension of their legal and financial identity.

The 2027 cutoff for local residents is particularly critical because the JCE must finalize the administrative closing of the electoral roll for the May 2027 primary elections.

Key deadlines for 2027-2028• National territory: The deadline for citizens within the Dominican Republic to complete the renewal process is 31 March 2027.• Dominicans abroad: For the diaspora, the JCE has extended the grace period. The...

The Central Electoral Board (JCE) is moving to clear up confusion regarding the mass rollout of the new identity and electoral card (cédula), specifically for citizens born in January, February, and March who missed the starting window or wish to obtain their document ahead of schedule.

While the official renewal phase for those born in April begins on 12 April 2026, the JCE has established a specific workaround for citizens whose birth months have already passed or are far off.

24-hour service centersAccording to JCE president Román Andrés Jáquez Liranzo, eight specific centers will operate 24 hours a day to accommodate the demand. These centers are located in:• Greater Santo Domingo: La Feria, Las Américas, and Herrera.• Provinces: San Cristóbal, La Vega, Santiago, and La Romana.•To manage the flow, these 24-hour stations will use two distinct shifts:• 7am to 11pm...

A group of prominent Dominican journalists has filed an injunction (recurso de amparo) before the Superior Administrative Court (TSA), challenging current National Institute of Transit and Transportation (Intrant) regulations that force drivers aged 65 and older to renew their licenses every two years, rather than the standard four.

The legal action, spearheaded by veteran reporters from El Nacional, including Héctor Minaya, José Antonio Torres, Christian Oviedo, Leo Corporán, Pilar Moreno, and Silvio Cabrera, targets Article 21, Paragraph A of Decree 6-19 (General Oversight No. 10927, dated 8 January 2019). The group is represented by constitutional lawyer Alberto Tavárez.

The legal argument: Ageism vs. the ConstitutionThe disputed regulation mandates that for categories 01, 02, and 05, license validity is halved once a driver reaches age 65...

The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (Funglode) and the Santiago Metropolitan Hospital (HOMS) have announced the global forum, “The Health of the Future: Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Medicine,” scheduled for 24 March 2026. The high-level event will convene international experts, academics, and healthcare leaders at the HOMS Health & Wellness Center in Santiago de los Caballeros to analyze the integration of AI and data management in contemporary healthcare.

The summit aims to position the Dominican Republic as a regional hub for medical innovation and health tourism. Proceedings begin on 23 March 2026 with a welcoming reception featuring opening remarks from Dr. Gisselle Castillo, general coordinator of the forum, and Dr. Héctor Sánchez Navarro, deputy director general of HOMS.

Strategic vision and academic programThe core academic agenda...

The 17 March 2026 rollout of PayPal USD (PYUSD) in the Dominican Republic marks a significant shift in how the country’s 850+ free zone companies can manage cross-border liquidity. With free zone exports exceeding US$8 billion annually, led by medical devices, electrical components, and tobacco, the integration of a dollar-pegged stablecoin addresses long-standing frictions in traditional banking corridors.

Strategic advantages for the export sectorAs the Dominican Republic positions itself as a regional semiconductor and logistics hub, the adoption of PYUSD offers three primary benefits to exporters:• Near-Instant Settlement: Traditional international wire transfers to the DR can take 1 to 5 business days. PYUSD allows for settlement in minutes, providing immediate access to working capital for raw material procurement.• Reduced Intermediary Fees: By bypassing the correspondent banking network, firms...

The National District court has issued a dismissal (auto de no lugar) in the criminal case against 31-year old Jean Andrés Pumarol, ruling that the defendant was experiencing temporary insanity and was under a “psychotic episode” when he killed a woman and injured several others in his apartment building.

Defense lawyer Richard Martínez argued in court that his client, who reportedly had been suffering from paranoid schizophrenia since 2017. He was cared for in his parents home in Naco. His 62-year old father, Guillermo Pumarol Castellanos, was the first to be injured on that tragic day.

The Public Ministry’s file states that Pumarol after injuring his father, left his apartment on 23 July 2025 carrying two knives, and went floor by floor, knocking on doors, and assaulting individuals who opened them in the apartment building where he lived in the Naco neighborhood. The attack resulted in the death by stabbing of 70-year-old Ivonne Handal Abugabir and injuries to Teresa...

The Premios Soberano honors the entire spectrum of the arts under one roof and is held at the regal stage of the Carlos Piantini Hall of the National Theater. Consider it the US award ceremonies Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony in a single high-stakes gala that enables people to catch up on the entertainment performers in the Dominican Republic. The event is televised on Color Vision Channel 9 and Univisión/Vix for the United States audiences.

The gala, organized by the Association of Art Chroniclers (Acroarte), is scheduled for Wednesday, 18 March 2026 at the Carlos Piantini Hall of the Eduardo Brito National Theater, with the red carpet beginning at 7pm followed by the main ceremony at 9pm.

The 2026 event will be produced for the third consecutive year by César Suárez Jr., with sponsorship from Cervecería Nacional Dominicana and Banreservas. Acroarte has confirmed that the main gala...

In a historic 3-2 victory over the United States on Tuesday, 17 March 2026 at loanDepot Park in Miami, Venezuela captured its first-ever World Baseball Classic (WBC) title. Venezuela only lost one game in the WBC tournament, to the Dominican Republic in the first round (Pool D).

Following the win, the Venezuelan government declared Wednesday, 18 March 2026, a national holiday.

The win serves as a testament to the Dominican Republic’s role as the primary laboratory for Latin American baseball talent, where the Venezuelan squad’s “made-in-the-DR” preparation provided the competitive edge necessary to secure the title on the global stage. A large number of Venezuelan team members got their professional start in the MLB baseball academies located in the Dominican Republic. Several Venezuelan team staff personnel are also from the DR.

Team Venezuela...

In covering the USA vs DR loss, DR1 had concluded baseball would never be the same after the DR Team participation in the 2026 WBC. Now the controversy over the last pitch in the game, with the tying run on third base, may be remembered as a pivotal moment in baseball history.

The Sunday, 15 March 2026 DR vs USA game at loanDepot Park in Miami ended in the bottom of the ninth with a runner on third and two outs. With a full count, Miller threw a pitch that home-plate umpire Cory Blaser called strike three, instantly ending the Dominican Republic’s tournament run.

Perdomo was convinced the ball fell well below the hitting zone. Thus, when home-plate umpire Cory Blaser signaled for a third strike, Perdomo reacted in frustration.

“It was the whole tournament, but we didn’t lose the game right there,” Perdomo concluded. “That’s a part of the game, and I hope we...

The president of the Central Electoral Board (JCE), Román Jáquez Liranzo is reminding all that the massive renewal process for the Dominican Republic’s new identity and electoral card (cédula) will commence on 12 April 2026. To prevent logistical chaos and ensure a streamlined flow, the JCE is implementing a progressive rollout based on the citizen’s birth month. Likewise, at the same time a 24/7 service stations will be open to everyone.

The strategy is designed to distribute demand throughout the year. Under this system, individuals with birthdays in April will be the first cohort called to authorized centers between 12 April and 30 April. The process will then rotate monthly (May, June, etc.) for the remainder of the year.

This renewal follows the JCE’s plenary decision to integrate biometric technology and enhanced security features, a move aimed at curbing...

The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) reports that remittance inflows reached US$1.87 billion during the January-February 2026 period, marking a 1.0% interannual increase.

Data for the month of February alone shows receipts of US$887.6 million. While this contributes to the overall growth for the year, the February figure is US$29.4 million less than the same month in 2025 and US$95.2 million lower than January 2026.

The Central Bank attributes the month-over-month drop to the typical seasonal surge in January caused by visiting non-resident Dominicans.

International headwinds and the US marketThe BCRD notes that current flows are being shaped by a complex global landscape. The conflict in the Middle East has driven up oil prices, fueling inflationary pressures and reducing household disposable income abroad. Furthermore, the US economy, the source of 83.4% of formal flows...

In a high-stakes day for regional security and binational development, senior United States diplomats and Dominican government officials met on Monday, 16 March 2026 in the Dajabon border area, to finalize preparations for an international force in Haiti and to evaluate the economic impact of the CODEVI industrial park.

Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez led the official meeting to review the status of the international support force tasked with dismantling the gangs that have destabilized Haiti. According to the Foreign Minister, the deployment of this new anti-gang force, authorized by the UN Security Council on 30 September of last year, is scheduled to begin on 1 April 2026.

Minister Álvarez emphasized that the meeting was strictly a bilateral consultation between Dominican officials and US diplomats from the embassies in both Santo Domingo...

The Dominican Republic has formalized a strategic partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to accelerate the nation’s entry into the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a move intended to bolster investor confidence and anchor the country’s bid to become a regional hub for the semiconductor industry.

While proponents argue that joining the “club of developed nations” provides a vital seal of approval and a roadmap for institutional reform, critics and analysts note that the transition carries significant risks, including the high fiscal cost of regulatory compliance for a nation with low tax revenues and the potential loss of policy flexibility regarding local tax incentives and Free Trade Zone protections.

Signed during the 2026 IDB Annual Governors’ Meetings, the letter of intent...

Judge Raymundo Mejía, presiding over the First Instruction Court of the National District, has ordered the formal summoning of the mother of businessman Antonio Espaillat, along with the City Council of the National District (ADN) and the Ministry of Public Works (MOPC), as part of the ongoing preliminary hearing regarding the structural collapse at the Jet Set Club.

The tragedy resulted in 236 fatalities and left more than 100 people injured.

The court ruled that Ana Grecia López, mother of defendants Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, must be formally notified to answer for alleged civil liability. Similarly, the ADN and MOPC have been brought into the case to determine the extent of state and municipal responsibility in the disaster.

Defense attorney Miguel Valerio, representing the Espaillat siblings, informed the court that López is 85 years old, suffers from...

The Dominican Republic’s national baseball team concluded its World Baseball Classic (WBC) ranked third. Its journey in the semifinal round secured US$3 million in prize money for its performance in the tournament’s sixth edition. The Dominican Republic ended winning Pool D and a first game in the quarterfinals against Korea, but then lost to the United States (2-1).

The WBC comes with a US$4.5 million award to the winner that will be decided between Venezuela and the United States on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

Beyond the financial gains, the Dominican Republic achieved a major competitive milestone by securing a spot in the 2028 Olympic Games to be held in 2028 in Los Angeles, USA. This will mark the fourth time the nation participates in Olympic baseball. Previous appearances include Los Angeles 1984 (as an exhibition sport), Barcelona 1992, and Tokyo...

Under the relentless South Florida rain, Venezuela’s 4-2 victory over Italy on Monday night (16 March 2026) didn’t just propel them to their first-ever World Baseball Classic final, it highlighted a deep-rooted connection to the Dominican Republic that has fueled this historic run. The grit and “winter ball” style of play that manager Omar López credited for the comeback is a hallmark of the training they received in Dominican professional environments.

While the fans at loanDepot park celebrated a purely Venezuelan triumph, the “Dominican angle” is woven into the very fabric of their 2026 coaching staff and player development.

Dominican influence on the benchThe Venezuelan staff features two prominent figures with direct ties to the Dominican Republic:Miguel Cabrera: The legendary slugger serves as the team’s hitting coach. Cabrera, while a Venezuelan icon...

RD Bridal Week 2026, in its 26th edition, is taking place in March 2026, centering on the Hotel Kimpton Las Mercedes in Santo Domingo’s Colonial City. Featuring designer brands like Giannina Azar, Jenny Polanco, Michelle Reynoso, and Manuel Febrillet, it showcases 2026 bridal trends, including Regency-era romance and structural tailoring. The Dominican Republic is a prime wedding destination.

The 26th edition features bridal talks and multiple runway shows highlighting both local and international designers, such as Calpo Atelier, Melkis Díaz, Joel Reyes, and Noel Newman. This is the first time that the Jenny Polanco brand, now under her daughter Carla Quiñones, presents a complete bridal collection.

Men’s fashion also stars. Manuel Febrillet will present “SHAH,” a collection inspired by African safari sophistication, while Leonardo 5th Avenue showcases its 2026 Ceremony collection.

Trends...

More flights from Dominican airports to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) are happening. PHL handled more than 30 million passengers in 2025, making this an attractive source market for Dominican travel. Of the total passengers using PHIL, over 4.1 million were traveling to and from international destinations, an increase of 7.5 percent from 2024, including many that are choosing the airport as their gateway to the Dominican Republic.

The airport is currently under major expansion and improvements.

American Airlines announced it has added new flights to Philadelphia International Airport. “The arrival of Aeroméxico, flying to Mexico City, and the launch of new seasonal flights from American Airlines to Edinburgh and Milan, and Frontier Airlines to Santiago, Dominican Republic, gave our passengers even more exciting international options last year,” said City of Philadelphia Department of...

The Puerto Plata skylift up to the botanical gardens at Isabel de Torres Mountain in the city of Puerto Plata is unlikely to happen soon, at least for summer travel.

Former Puerto Plata senator Francis Vargas of the Fuerza del Pueblo opposition party recently complained that the authorities, namely the Ministry of Tourism, has delayed in taking action to put the iconic attraction back into service.

The skylift was one of the most popular excursions for maritime visitors. Puerto Plata is the country’s leading cruise ship city, with two ports – Amber Cove and Taino Bay.

Now tourists who want to visit the botanical gardens have to go by road along a winding road up by the back side or hike up the mountain on the northside. The experience on top is worth it, but the skylift was a spectacular and easy way to get there.

The sky lift has been out of operation for two...

Based on current port schedules and shipping announcements for 2026, the Dominican Republic is seeing a significant increase in luxury and “boutique” cruise arrivals. While the main ports like Amber Cove and Taino Bay handle the larger lines, specialized luxury vessels are increasingly selecting Samaná and La Romana for their more intimate settings.

These lines are characterized by smaller ship sizes (typically under 1,000 passengers), all-suite accommodations, and high staff-to-guest ratios.

Luxury and premium ships scheduled to dock in 2026:The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: The newly launched Ilma and its sister ship Evrima have scheduled stops throughout 2026 in Samaná, La Romana, Santo Domingo, and Puerto Plata. For instance, Ilma is noted for a visit to Samaná on 20 March 2026.

SeaDream Yacht Club: SeaDream II, which offers a “yachting” rather than “cruising”...

Team DR lost to the United States 2 to 1 in the quarterfinals. The pitching staff of the USA did its job on Sunday, 15 March 2026 in Miami at the loanDepot ball park.

Yet, baseball will never be the same. Winning pitcher Skenes himself noted what Team DR had brought to the World Classic when he said he wanted to bring that kind of excitement to Pittsburgh, as reported by MLB in its coverage on the USA win.

What happened? Could it have been that Tatis did not recover from his error in trying to outrun Aaron Judge when he violated the baseball adage “never make the first or last out at third base,” and sought to outrun Aaron Judge, the US team captain when Juan Soto was next at bat with runners that would have been on first and second to sneak in that needed winner run.

It seemed like the Dominican team in the game against the USA had lost its essence and took that game too...

The Dominican Republic’s baseball team in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) wore “Dominicana” on their jerseys, and was all about showing the world what “Platano Power” is all about. The team rolled past all the teams in group D: Venezuela, Nicaragua, Israel, and The Netherlands.

The game against The Netherlands was only seven innings as Juan Soto hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning, making the score12-1, and ending the game under the “Mercy” rule. This was the first time in the history of the WBC that there was a walk-off home run in the seventh inning to win a game.

Classifying in first place in Group D, Dominicana had to face South Korea in the quarterfinals. Contrary to earlier game where the big hitters for the Dominican team teed off on opposing pitchers, sending ball after ball into the outfield seats at Loan Depot Park in Miami, Florida, in...

Minister of Public Health Víctor Atallah officially integrated the Nonavalent (9-valent) vaccine into the National Vaccination Schedule on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, making the Dominican Republic one of the few nations in the Americas to offer this advanced level of protection against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Minister Atallah is known for his preventive slant to medicine since he was sworn in on 24 January 2024.

The Ministry of Public Health sees this transition as a “transcendental step” in the fight to eradicate cervical cancer and other HPV-related conditions in the country.

The new vaccine (sold in the USA as Gardasil 9) replaces the previous quadrivalent (4-valent) version. It is available immediately and free of charge for boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 14 at Ministry of Public Health vaccination stations.

Broadened protectionThe Nonavalent...

On 23 February 2026, the Dominican Republic suffered a major blackout. Last week, the Coordinating Organ for the National Interconnected Electricity System (SENI) released their report on just why this happened.

Apparently, there was a failure in one of the 138 kV (kilovolts) line between Hainamosa and Villa Duarte, both in East Santo Domingo at approximately 11am. The failure triggered variations in the frequency of the system and activated automatic protection mechanisms known as the Scheme for the Automatic Load Disconnection (EDAC). Then came the shut-down of some generating stations, which, in turn, contributed to a loss of frequency throughout the system.

At the time of the incident, the SENI was producing 2,836 megawatts, and supplying a demand of 2,667 megawatts, with a 6% of production in reserve.

The loss of the 60 hertz frequency was then magnified by the sudden shutdown of electricity from Punta Catalina 2, and this in turn caused the total collapse of the...

In a modest ceremony at the family home in Ojo de Agua, Hermanas Mirabal province, President Luis Abinader dedicated the plaque honoring the 100th anniversary of the birth of Minerva Mirabal on 12 March 2026, perhaps the most well-known of the three sisters who were murdered during the last year of the Trujillo dictatorship.

The assassination of Minerva Mirabal was the tipping point that led to the eventual assassination of Dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo on 30 May 1960.

The assassination is remembered around the world with the United Nations naming 25 November, date of the murder, as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Minerva, a well-known opponent of the tyrant, her two sisters and their driver, were brutally murdered on the highway to Puerto Plata.

President Abinader recalled the bravery of 34-year old Minerva, and the valiant...

With a barrel of oil bouncing around the US$100 mark on the world markets, Minister of Energy and Mines Joel Santos, convened the nation’s electricity providers, both public and private, to discuss the situation and suggest safeguards.

While the Dominican Refinery (Refidom) has issued statements saying that they have at least a month’s worth of fuels fir the local market and secure consignments of oil from California, Santos said that he wanted to hear what the generating sector had to say.

The electricity producers commented on their fuel reserves, saying that they had guaranteed supplies of both petroleum, coal and natural gas that would cover their needs for the rest of the year. Both the minister and the energy sector said that they would continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East in order to preserve stability in the national energy...

Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso announced a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s criminal investigation framework, confirming that a New Crime Scene Processing Model will officially launch on 1 April 2026. A career prosecutor, Reynoso was named to the position on 21 February 2025, in the second administration of President Luis Abinader. She had previously served as No. 2 person at the Attorney General Office under then Attorney General Miriam German.

The transition, coordinated in partnership with the National Police, marks a shift toward the “technification” of judicial processes to standardize evidence collection and accelerate legal responses for citizens. Speaking at a seminar for prosecutors from the eastern region, Reynoso emphasized that traditional investigative methods have become obsolete in the face of modern criminal challenges.

A nationwide...

Headlines frequently tout the rising prices of gold. The Dominican Republic has the largest gold-exporting mine in the Caribbean and Central American region. The surge in gold prices is the main argument by gold companies that want the government to grant exploitation rights in vulnerable areas.

Yet, as experts have pointed out in the past, an addendum to the contract renegotiated during the Danilo Medina administration with Barrick Gold has slashed the Dominican Republic’s sharing of the price surge. The bottom line is that the extra cash is almost completely going to the mining companies.

A recent letter from former President Hipolito Mejia to President Luis Abinader raises the issue and urges the Abinader administration to take action. Mejia says that the country has lost over US$1.1 billion in mining revenue.

Former President Hipólito Mejía has formally requested an explanation from President Luis Abinader regarding the estimated US$1.113 billion in unrealized fiscal...

It’s very difficult being a consumer brand manufacturer in the Dominican Republic. Outside of the labor and tax obligations, local industry that focuses on the consumer market has been impacted by the decision of large supermarket chains in the past decade to embrace the white labeling model. The contracts, depending on the supermarket chain, may even impede the brands from selling to other supermarkets, or selling their own brand in the same store.

The argument behind the white label model is that it enables the supermarket to offer consumers lower prices. But the question is whether it is sustainable for the manufacturer, that in the short and medium term seems to be the biggest loser despite being the one that has risked the most.

There you have the white labels of Lider (Nacional), Wala (Grupo Ramos – La Sirena), Bravo (Bravo) as the leaders in...

Vice Admiral José M. Cabrera, Ambassador Leah F. Campos and Richard Cernuda, new interim head at the DEA / El Caribe

Special agent Richard Cernuda was officially presented last Friday, 13 March 2026 as the new interim head at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office at the United States Embassy. As reported, the new interim leadership team now operates under new strictly audited internal protocols.

The DEA office had been closed as of last February due to a corruption scandal that involved the then-head of the office, Meliton Cordero, who is on trial in a Miami court on charges of corruption. Cordero had been the first Dominican to occupy the position. The Dominican government would revoke the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez, and Mella awarded to Cordero by President Abinader in late 2024.

US Ambassador Leah F...

The 38th Feria Agropecuaria Nacional 2026 officially opened on Thursday, 12 March with the attendance of President Luis Abinader. The prime livestock event will run until 22 March 2026 at the Ciudad Ganadera (now named in honor of Julio Antonio Brache Arzeno) in Santo Domingo. Organized by the National Livestock Patronage (PNG), this annual event is especially attractive to entire families with children being able to see and touch animals, for a true farm experience.

The fair is the closest thing in the Dominican Republic to a county fair in the United States or the United Kingdom. There is something for everyone. It is the countryside brought into the big city. There are fireworks, food stands, tractors large and small, and animals of all kinds. The fair happens at the Feria Ganadera grounds, located on the west side of the Malecon.

Over 70 agricultural establishments are...