Patricia Aguilera, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic, lauded President Luis Abinader for the nation’s “courageous” response to the United States’ call to join a global effort against synthetic drug threats. The remarks came during the opening of an international conference on emerging trends in illicit synthetic drug trafficking, attended on day one by President Abinader himself and high-ranking Dominican officials and global experts.
Aguilera emphasized the partnership between the two nations, stating: “The Dominican Republic’s leadership in this critical area is a testament to President Abinader’s commitment to public safety and health.”
The conference is being held over three days and focuses on collaborative strategies to enhance drug seizures, dismantle criminal networks, and address the risks posed by synthetic substances.
The Dominican Republic and Belgium were selected last year to spearhead the fight against synthetic drug proliferation in the Caribbean and Europe, following the Global Coalition Leaders’ Summit in New York. Aguilera attributed this designation to the Dominican government’s “successful plan” under Abinader to combat drug trafficking and related crimes.
Key initiatives highlighted include a comprehensive review of airport and port security protocols, which have led to the interception of prohibited materials for synthetic drug production. The government has also increased investments in infrastructure and surveillance systems to target transnational drug networks.
President Abinader’s administration has implemented stricter border controls and bolstered law enforcement capabilities. Since 2023, these measures have disrupted criminal operations and improved inter-agency coordination.
The event has featured participation from prominent Dominican officials, including Prosecutor General Yeni Berenice Reynoso; Defense Minister General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre; Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Franklin García Fermín; Labor Minister Eddy Olivares; Culture Minister Roberto Ángel Salcedo; and Women’s Affairs Minister Mayra Jiménez. Also present were top officials from Customs, Migration, and the National Police.
US support for the initiative includes collaboration with agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). Experts from both nations will analyze strategies to strengthen intelligence-sharing, forensic capabilities, and legal frameworks to combat synthetic drug trafficking.
Aguilera reiterated the U.S. commitment to regional security, stating, “This partnership is vital to protecting communities from the devastating impact of synthetic drugs.” The conference aims to establish actionable plans to expand these efforts across the Caribbean and Europe.
The Dominican Republic’s proactive stance has been recognized internationally, with Abinader’s government crediting its multi-agency approach and technological upgrades for recent successes. As the conference progresses, stakeholders will explore ways to scale these efforts and address evolving threats from synthetic narcotics.
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Presidency
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1 May 21025