New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the executive director of the Dominican Republic’s Civil Defense, Juan Salas, held a high-level meeting at the NYC City Hall on Monday, 12 May 2025 to finalize details of an upcoming memorandum of understanding (MOU) on disaster risk management.
The meeting, witnessed and facilitated by the DR’s consul general, Jesús Vásquez Martínez, strengthens the bonds between the two communities. New York City is regarded as the second largest city in number of Dominican origin population.
The agreement aims to enhance cooperation in strategic areas such as risk management, disaster preparedness, and emergency response. It also facilitates the exchange of best practices and technological advancements aimed at saving lives and mitigating risks.
This initiative follows Mayor Adams’ commitment during his 13 April 2025 visit to Santo Domingo, after the Jet Set nightclub tragedy, where he offered institutional and technical support to Dominican authorities. Adams reaffirmed his collaboration intentions stating, “Your home is my home,” reflecting the deep connection between New York and Dominicans.
Juan Salas, who also leads the National Emergency Commission (CNE) of the Dominican government, expressed satisfaction with the high-level meeting’s progress, indicating that the MOU’s signing will initiate a path of experience sharing, collaboration, and technological support for risk reduction.
Consul General Jesús Vásquez Martínez hailed the agreement as monumental, emphasizing how it will foster more robust prevention systems, knowledge exchange, technical assistance, and effective responses to adverse events.
Other participants in the meeting included:
• Camille Joseph Varlack, Chief of Staff to the Mayor of New York
• Ana Almánzar, Community Affairs Advisor
• Jeffrey García, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife, Department of Small Business Services
• Yokarina Duarte, Chief of Staff for NYC Emergency Management
• Aissata M.B. Cámara, Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff
• Representatives from the New York City Departments of Health and Buildings, and NYC Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez.
Mayor Adams seeks to keep the favor of the Dominican vote in New York City and shortly after the tragedy of the JetSet Club in Santo Domingo traveled to Santo Domingo to pay his respects. The owners of the JetSet Club operate the Jalao Restaurant at 180th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, in Upper Manhattan.
Incumbent Democratic mayor Eric Adams is running for re-election to a second term in office as an independent in the 4 November 2025 mayoral election. His main contender is former New York state governor Andrew Cuomo, running for the Democratic party.
In the 2020 US Census, New York City had 702,330 Dominicans, representing 7.9% of the city’s population.
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15 May 2025