The Dominican Republic officially assumed the Pro Tempore Presidency (PPT) of the Central American Integration System (SICA) this Thursday, 15 January 2026 marking the fourth time the nation has taken the helm of the regional leadership body.go
In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Relations (MIREX), officials emphasized that the appointment underscores the country’s commitment to regional integration, collective security, and the socio-economic development of member nations.
The transition took place during a handover ceremony from Panama, which held the presidency for the previous six-month term. Representing Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, the Vice Minister for Economic Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugo Francisco Rivera Fernández, highlighted the need for institutional reform.
Rivera stated that the Dominican presidency will prioritize:
• Transparency: Ensuring regional institutions respond directly to the needs of the citizenry.
• Governance: Strengthening the internal functions and political organs of the SICA framework.
• International Cooperation: Renewing agendas with global partners and observers to leverage international aid as a driver for development.
A robust six-month agenda
As the coordinating body for the next semester, the Dominican Republic will lead high-level sectoral meetings. According to MIREX, the upcoming sessions will focus on:
Democratic security: Seeking to enhance regional safety and rule of law;
Climate change: Coordinating environmental protection and risk management;
Economic integration: Facilitating trade and social development
Institutional strengthening: Improving the efficiency of SICA;s administrative bodies.
Vice Minister Rivera was joined at the ceremony by the Dominican ambassador to Panama, politician and former Santo Domingo mayor Roberto Salcedo, and the director of Trade Integration of the Ministry of Foreign Relations Carmen Elena Ibarra.
The rotating presidency returns to the Dominican Republic at a time when SICA countries are under pressure from the Trump administration over years-long crackdowns on opposition leaders and human rights activists.
Read more in Spanish:
Ministry of Foreign Relations
Ministry of Foreign Relations
Al Jazeera
19 January 2026