DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

President Luis Abinader had an intense weekend as he traveled to Miami, Florida in time to spend time with the DR Team that is competing in the World Baseball Classic. President Abinader was seen in the Dominican dugout at the loanDepot Park during the game played and won on Friday, 6 March 2026 against Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic.

The next day, President Abinader attended the Saturday, 7 March 2026 Shield of the Americas Summit invited by US President Donald Trump. Abinader and Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez, who accompanied the President, also took advantage of the visit to advance in the trade and security talks with US officials and the regional heads of government, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Relations.

The other attending heads of government were:For the Caribbean: President Luis Abinader (Dominican Republic), President Mohamed...

President Luis Abinader was back in Santo Domingo after attending the Trump administration Shield of the Americas Summit in Miami, Florida on 7 March 2026 and made it in time to be present for the 41st edition of the Medal of Merit for Dominican Women. This is the government’s annual event to recognize female leadership and contributions to national development.

During the ceremony held at the National Theater’s Carlos Piantini Hall, 22 women were distinguished for their impact across sectors including science, politics, sports, and community service. The event marked the celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026 and the Minerva Mirabal centenary. Minerva Mirabal was one of three sisters murdered during the Trujillo dictatorship. The murder served as that last drop of water that filled the glass and motivated the...

The Tax Agency (DGII) was able to collect RD$72.09 billion in taxes in February 2026, a RD$6.10 billion increase from a year ago, and 2.1% above the amount forecasted in the 2026 National Budget by RD$1.5 billion.

So far, in 2026, the DGII has collected RD$166.85 billion, some 10.3% more than 2025 and 2.3% more than projected in the budget.

Reportedly, the ITBIS (the Dominican sales/VAT tax) provided RD$19.22 billion or 9% of the total income. Taxes on corporate income brought in RD$14.57 billion, and Income tax brought in RD$13 billion.

While all this money is entering the government coffers, Minister of Hacienda Magin Diaz announced that his office is working on a legislative proposal that would eliminate some of the more obsolete taxes, correct tax abuses, and make life easier for those who wish to comply with their tax obligations. He is also proposing that all the...

Law 98-25, which covers solid waste, requires the elimination of single-use plastic bags in the Dominican Republic. As a result, businesses are studying just how to deal with this situation via a set of regulations that will allow for the implementation of the law whose application has been postponed to give the business sector more time.

A spokesperson for the National Organization of Commercial Enterprises (ONEC) reported that a meeting was scheduled with representatives of the Ministry of the Environment, the plastics manufacturers, and the commercial sector. The idea is to come up with a set of rules that can be followed by all of the commercial entities, not just the supermarkets and big stores, but also the street vendors, colmados, and pharmacies.

The key point is that Article 27 of the law modifies part of the former Law 225-20 on solid waste...

The National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (Intrant) has announced that citizens can begin scheduling appointments online starting Monday, 9 March 2026, to streamline the driver’s license issuance and renewal process.

By implementing mandatory pre-scheduling, Intrant aims to eliminate the “first-come, first-served” bottlenecks that have frustrated drivers in recent weeks in an attempt to return to the expedited service of the past contractor.

While the previous system typically allowed motorists to complete renewals in approximately one hour, the change in the contractor for the license renewals has resulted in long delays.

Intrant says the new digital platform, accessible via www.intrant.gob.do , is designed to restore efficiency by allowing users to pre-program their visits and select specific time slots.

How the system should workTo secure a slot, users must...

A persistent and unstable weather pattern is affecting the Caribbean, primarily driven by troughs that are bringing significant moisture and thunderstorms to the region.

The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) and the Center for Emergency Operations (COE) have announced that residents in the Dominican Republic can expect a week of rainstorms.

Indomet issued yellow alerts for several provinces, forecasting heavy rains and potential flooding for Greater Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal, Monte Plata, La Vega, Monseñor Nouel, Duarte, Samana, San Jose de Ocoa, Sanchez Ramirez and Maria Trinidad Sanchez.

The authorities have issued weather alerts to warn the population of the risk of urban flooding and sudden rises in rivers and streams for the southern, central and northeastern provinces.

Likewise, small and medium-sized vessels are advised to remain in port on both...

The World Baseball Classic (WBC) brings together national all-star teams from 20 nations around the globe. In the first stage of group play, there are five-team groups playing in Tokyo, Japan and in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Houston, Texas, and Miami, Florida. The semi-final and final game are to be played in Miami’s Loan Depot Park on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

Team Dominican Republic, competing in Pool D (Israel, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Dominican Republic), won its first game by a score of 12-3 against Nicaragua on Friday, 6 March 2026. However, the old saying that “a baseball is round but it comes in a square box,” meaning anything can happen, was certainly visible during the first five innings of the game. Nicaragua got off to a fast start against Christopher Sanchez, the 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner as the best pitcher in the...

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. / Listin Diario

The Dominican Republic’s historic “Achilles’ heel” in the World Baseball Classic had been the Netherlands, specifically after the Netherlands had surprised and won the two games against Team DR in the 2009 edition, impeding that the DR pass to the next phase back then. But that is now in the past, after Team DR revenged and moved forward with a “knockout” victory against Netherlands.

On Sunday, 8 March 2026, the Dominican Republic played the Netherlands at the Loan Depot Park in Miami, Florida. At the beginning of the second inning, major leaguer Didi Gregorious hit a home run for the Netherlands, but that would be all that Netherlands could score. The game at the start was tight, 2-1, in favor of the Dominican team for the first two innings.

Manny Machado, Ketel Marte, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got the DR off to a...

Manny Machado,Junior Caminero and Julio Rodriguez / Listin Diario

The World Baseball Classic is more than a global championship. For Dominican fans it is a lifetime opportunity to see all the Dominican greats in one game, one series. For the players, it is a memorable time to be on the same team with other greats and wear the Dominicana uniform.

The effort of Nelson Cruz and other former baseball greats, including Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz, is bearing fruit. Regardless of the outcome, it is a unique opportunity to see these stars play together in the name of “platano power” and “mori-soñando”.

Listin Diario, in its reporting on the WBC, has been capturing the feeling and how one and all of the DR dream team players inspire each other. The baseball players express their admiration for one another and appreciation for this...

In a move that signals a massive realignment of the global and local energy sectors, a powerhouse consortium led by BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and the Swedish firm EQT has signed a definitive agreement to acquire The AES Corporation.

The transaction, valued at approximately US$33.4 billion including debt, will take the energy giant private, delisting it from the New York Stock Exchange. The deal carries significant weight for the Dominican Republic, where AES Dominicana has operated for over 25 years as a pillar of the nation’s electricity generation and liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure.

The detailsThe investor group, which also includes the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), will pay US$15.00 per share in cash. This represents a roughly 40% premium over the...

It all comes down to the actual commuters for whom Line 2C was built, those who live from Los Alcarrizos to Km 9, the metro service is a godsend, the same way it is for all others who prefer the service to other transport options, including private cars.

Diario Libre reports on the system that went into operation on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, with free service through Easter Week.

Users told Diario Libre the service needs to install the internal signage to notify the stops. This is key because the names of the stops do not correspond with the streets, neither for line 2C nor the previous lines. This makes the announcements key. Usually, the announcer will state the name of the station and the corresponding streets.

Riders also await when the test period is over after Easter so that changing cars is no longer necessary, as the Metro authority has announced...

People are complaining this first week of the switch in contractor of major delays in the new system for issuing drivers licenses, Diario Libre reports. Offices that should have been open, such as the one in Megacentro, did not open as announced on 2 March 2026 under the new operator, Consorcio Mobility ID. The consortium is made up by the suppliers: Midas Dominicana, S.A., G.E.T. Secure ID Corp., Consorcio STC, S.A. and Thomas Greg & Sons. The company received a five-year contract.

Noticias SIN reports there is high demand for the service and confusion regarding the new driver’s license rollout. Key changes include the elimination of simulators in favor of practical exams. The computerized simulators will no longer be testing what people know before authorizing a license. Instead, to get that first license, people will again to make an appointment with an...

The Dominican Republic has completed its preparation for the World Baseball Classic and its first game will be against Nicaragua on 6 March 2026 in Miami, Florida. The DR team last won a championship in 2013 and has not made the quarter finals since. Millions and countless hours have been directed to put together a team and expectations are high that the trophy will be won.

As the final preparation, the Dominican Republic’s national baseball squad, dubbed the “Dream Team,” wrapped up a highly anticipated two-game series of World Baseball Classic warm-up exhibition games against the Detroit Tigers at the Quisqueya Ball Park in Santo Domingo this week. A first game on 3 March 2026 gave fans a glimpse of the firepower on the Dominican roster. It ended with a crowd-exciting 12-4. The second game on the next day ended with a tie of 4-4 and...

Fresh off their exhibition series against the Detroit Tigers, the Dominican Republic’s star-studded roster has officially arrived in Miami, Florida, to kick off their 2026 World Baseball Classic campaign. Managed by baseball legend Albert Pujols, the Dominican team will compete in Pool D, with all of their first-round games scheduled to be played at loanDepot Park.

The Dominican Republic has assembled an unprecedented roster of current stars, hoping to navigate the unpredictable, short-series format of the tournament and secure a second championship. The first and only championship was that of “platano power” in 2013.

The Dominican Republic plays in Pool D alongside Israel, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Venezuela and Netherlands are singled out as the most challenging teams for the DR in this group. The Netherlands has defeated the Dominican Republic twice and...

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is officially underway, with Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) defeating Australia in the tournament’s first game, played by Pool C. 20 nations across four global venues are competing. The tournament features four pools (A, B, C, and D) with five teams each, battling in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals and then the finals in single-elimination rounds.

The series opens with the teams playing four games to decide the top two who will then move to the quarterfinals.

In its final pool-by-pool preview, MLB released its official forecasts predicting which nations will survive the opening round.• Pool A (Hiram Bithorn Stadium – San Juan, Puerto Rico): MLB predicts host nation Puerto Rico and Canada will advance over Colombia, Cuba, and Panama.• Pool B (Daikin Park – Houston, Texas): MLB forecasts the...

For decades, the DR had been a neutral keep-to-are-own-affairs country in the middle of the Caribbean. No more. Under the Abinader administration, the Dominican Republic seems to be aligning itself as an active partner with US geopolitics and the booming space commercial industry.

Last year, the government authorized its Greater Santo Domingo airports for military operations. A recent report in Acento and another in El Informe con Alicia Ortega look into advances towards the installation of the first spaceport in the Caribbean at a time when the demand for satellite launches have doubled and US commercial space launches are booming. Burton Catledge, the CEO of the Florida-based Launch on Demand that is promoting the spacesport, explains the chosen location in Pedernales, nearer to the equator than Cape Canaveral in Florida, makes it more economical for both government and...

The Dominican Oil Refinery (Refidomsa) announced it now has the capacity to store over 111 million gallons of fuel, enough to cover more than a full month of national consumption, a strategic move following global energy volatility.

The announcement is made at a time when the new Iran war is expected to impact fuel prices in the Dominican Republic.

The Ministry of Foreign Relations reports there are two Dominicans living in Iran and these are safe and in touch with Dominican mission officers. The same for several Dominicans who live in Dubai that are also in touch with local authorities, as reported in Listin Diario.

Meanwhile, the Dominican peso has appreciated to the US dollar with US dollars selling for a seasonal low of RD$60 to US$1. The Central Bank has not explained the appreciation, but sources says this could be the result of entry to market of millions in...

Dominican “Dream Team” vs Detroit Tigers exhibition game / Listin Diario

Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. are making headlines after showcasing a new choreographed home run celebration during an exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers that served as warmup. The Dominican “Dream Team” won the first of two games, 12-4, fueling massive local expectations just two days before the World Baseball Classic officially begins on 6 March, with the Dominican team playing in Miami, Florida.

MLB in its coverage of the Detroit mentioned the remembrance ceremony for those who died in the tragedy of the early morning of April 8, 2025, when the roof of the popular Jet Set nightclub collapsed, leaving 235 people dead, including former Major League pitcher Octavio Dotel.

Nelsy Cruz, the sister of former Major League All-Star Nelson Cruz, who is the general manager of the...

A bus transporting tourists from Punta Cana International Airport to local hotels crashed near Cumayasa on Sunday, 1 March 2026. The accident occurred on the Curva del Km 10 on the Autovía del Este.

Reports confirm two fatalities and at least 19 injuries traveling in the late evening. CTVS News reports the Canadian Embassy is currently providing consular assistance to its citizens involved in the incident. The National Health Service told AP that 13 persons were injured, in addition to the two deceased.

The injured were taken to the municipal hospital in La Romana and those with serious injuries to a specialized trauma hospital.

The two named victims are 67-year old Collen Fullerton, de 67 años and 57-year old Kym Lafantasie.

As reported, they had landed at Punta Cana International Airport and were being transported by bus to their accommodations in Juan...

As of Monday, 2 March 2026, a new driver’s license format is available for Dominicans.

The new cards incorporate technological and security enhancements aligned with international standards such as ISO/IEC 18013-5, which regulates secure and verifiable driver’s licenses. This standard ensures that the document is globally recognized and harder to forge.

The license is made of high-security polycarbonate and personalized via laser engraving. It includes:• Microtext and holograms• Invisible inks and UV printing• Advanced Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to validate identity• A centralized unique history with auditable records

Additionally, theoretical and practical exams have been digitized with verifiable processes to reduce discretion in evaluations. In a second phase, the incorporation of the Mobile Driver’s License (mDL) is planned, allowing citizens to carry a digital...

In a coordinated effort to improve public safety and urban aesthetics, the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel), the Mayor’s Office of the National District (ADN), and the Unified Council of Electricity Distribution Companies (CUED) signed a strategic cooperation agreement on Thursday, 26 February 2026, to remove obsolete and unused aerial cabling across the capital, as reported in Diario Libre.

The agreement was formalized by Guido Gómez Mazara, president of Indotel; Celso Marranzini, president of the CUED; and Carolina Mejía, Mayor of the National District. The initiative targets the “visual pollution” caused by tangled wires and aims to mitigate physical risks to pedestrians and drivers caused by deteriorating infrastructure.

In recent years, residents of Santo Domingo have frequently reported “spaghetti” wiring falling into streets, posing...

Following an intensive search operation, a crocodile that had escaped from a local tourist attraction was successfully captured on Monday, 2 March 2026. The reptile had been missing since 25 February 2026, after heavy rains caused the Joba River, in northern Espaillat province, to overflow, allowing the animal to escape its enclosure at the Rugama Ecological Park in Islabón, Sabaneta de Yásica.

As reported, the crocodile was located around 5pm at Playa Laguna in Cabarete, just meters away from a popular tourist complex. The capture was a result of a joint operation utilizing specialized nets, following several failed attempts to secure the animal in previous days near Playa Encuentro.

Rudy Martínez, owner of the Rugama restaurant and ecological park, noted that the escape was likely triggered by the rising river levels. Once captured, the reptile was handed over to...

Jean Alain Rodríguez / Noticias SIN

A National District judge rejected a request by former Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez who had sought permission to travel to Spain for a medical appointment. The judge said he did not file the request correctly. Rodriguez is being tried in the National District judiciary for corruption when in office. On previous occasions he had also attempted to leave the country and was impeded to do so at the airport.

His case has been long in the judiciary. Sources primarily note his defense has instrumented several procedures to delay the hearings.

Read more in Spanish. El Caribe Noticias SIN...

A trough continues to be the primary weather driver for the Dominican Republic for the next 24 hours.Rainfall and thunderstorms are expected during the afternoon of 3 March 2026 as marine humidity interacts with the atmospheric system.

The weather in urban areas continues cool in the early mornings, yet the country will soon move on to warmer conditions as the winter season passes. In the capital city of Santo Domingo, morning lows of around 20C continue to prevail for the time being.

In the early morning of 3 March 2026, a Total Lunar Eclipse was visible from the Dominican Republic.

Read the daily forecast at: Indomet Noticias SIN

3 March 2026

Dominican participation in the XXV Anato Tourism Showcase in Bogota, Colombia, under Tourism Minister David Collado, was a large one, with 45 Dominican companies present. Minister Collado told reporters that in 2025, over 400,000 tourists from Colombia visited the DR, a 19% increase from the previous year.

The strength of the Colombian market resides in that the South American destination is also attractive to Dominican tourists, making it an attractive market for both countries.

There are reports of hundreds of deals signed, and major airlines announced new frequencies adding 1,400,000 seats.

Among these, Avianca from Colombia, announced flights from Medellin and Bogota providing over 320,000 seats, with an average occupancy of 82% in 27 weekly flights to Dominican airports. Copa, based in Panama, will have 718,000 seats, averaging 87% occupancy and 70...

President Luis Abinader officially inaugurated the Gabriel Escarrer Juliá Hospitality and Tourism School on Monday, 2 March 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country’s public-private educational partnerships.

The new training center is located within the Meliá Caribe Beach Resort and Meliá Punta Cana Beach complex in the Verón-Punta Cana municipal district. Operating under a “hotel-school” model, the facility was established through a strategic agreement between the National Institute of Vocational and Technical Training (Infotep), the country’s government-operated vocational training entity, and Meliá Hotels International.

During the ceremony, which coincided with the 91st anniversary of the birth of Meliá founder Gabriel Escarrer Juliá, President Abinader emphasized that the success of Dominican tourism rests on the quality of its...

In a pivotal move for national aviation safety, President Luis Abinader officially inaugurated a new C-Band Solid-State Dual-Polarization Doppler weather radar on 25 February 2026. The government reports the new WRS300 radar was a RD$250 million investment.

Located at the Dominican Aeronautical Complex adjacent to Las Américas International Airport (SDQ), the facility marks a historic milestone in the government’s efforts to modernize the national meteorological system and strengthen airspace operational security.

The director general of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), Igor Rodríguez Durán, emphasized that this project completes the high-tech radar network that now provides total coverage across the entire Dominican Republic. This system follows the 2022 installation of a radar at Punta Cana International Airport and a second unit...

President Luis Abinader was in La Romana to inaugurate the Atelón tourist dock on Isla Catalina. Isla Catalina is an off island that services day excursions and cruise ship passengers. The new dock is a Dominican Port Authority investment.

Jean Luis Rodríguez, director of the Dominican Port Authority (Apordom), stated that with this one, 22 docks have been delivered under the current administration, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships.

During the inauguration, the government also announced a public-private partnership for the construction of the Isla Catalina Beach Club. Isla Catalina is a Protected Natural Monument. The beach club would be built by Iberostar’s World2Meet. World2Meet representatives Juan Tomas Diaz and Tomeu Gili noted that the dock creates the “exclusive access” necessary for their clients to reach the island and the forthcoming beach...

Lopesan Hotel Group is significantly expanding its presence in the Dominican Republic. Currently, the Spanish chain operates the Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort, Spa & Casino (1,042 rooms), which opened in May 2019 as its flagship property in Playa Bávaro.

Building on that success, the group has opened bookings for three new interconnected resorts scheduled to welcome guests in late spring 2026:

Lopesan Caoba Lagoon Resort, Spa & Casino: The complex’s centerpiece, featuring 552 rooms and a design inspired by tropical cenotes and expansive lagoons.

Lopesan Serenity Bay: A sophisticated, adults-only retreat offering 239 suites for guests seeking a quieter, more intimate atmosphere.

Lopesan Splash Cove: A family-oriented resort with 244 rooms, specifically designed for multi-generational travelers with five pools and dedicated activity zones.

All four properties will...