DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

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...

President Luis Abinader and First Lady Raquel Arbaje concluded a high-level diplomatic mission to Chile on 11 March 2026, marking the inauguration of President José Antonio Kast with a focus on strategic industrial synergies and the empowerment of the Dominican diaspora. President Abinader was also accompanied by Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez.

A primary focus of the President’s agenda was the potential for industrial and cultural collaboration between the two nations. Highlighting the global reputation of Chilean wine, President Abinader discussed potential technical exchanges to bolster the Dominican grape industry. He emphasized that the Dominican Republic could benefit significantly from Chile’s world-renowned expertise in viticulture.

Ambassador Juan Cohén announced the upcoming “Dominican Week in Chile” for November 2026. The event aims to further...

Minister Roberto Alvarez and Luis Fidel Yañez / CEPAL

The Dominican Republic has been officially designated as the host for the 41st Session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), scheduled to take place from 7 to 9 October 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Relations announces. Santiago de los Caballeros, the second largest city and a key economic hub for the Cibao region. The selection was formalized during a meeting in Chile between Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez and ECLAC Secretary of the Commission Luis Fidel Yáñez in the name of ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs.

The 41st Session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is its most important biennial meeting. The accord penned on Tuesday, 10 March at ECLAC’s central offices in Santiago, Chile details the...

Mauricio de Vengoechea and President Luis Abinader / Diario Libre

Utilizing a legal framework dating back to the Trujillo era, President Luis Abinader has granted Dominican citizenship via “privileged naturalization” to 22 prominent foreign figures during his administration, Diario Libre reports. The list of beneficiaries spans a diverse spectrum, including former heads of state, political consultants, religious leaders, and cultural icons.

Under Law 1683 of 1948, the President of the Republic holds the authority to bypass standard immigration procedures to confer nationality upon individuals who have made “extraordinary contributions” to the nation’s social or economic fabric.

Records from the Legal Executive Branch reveal that Abinader has utilized this executive power more frequently than his predecessor. In his nearly six years in...

A staggering 70% of motorcyclists in the Dominican Republic fail their written driver’s test on the first attempt, according to new data from the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (Intrant). Milton Morrison, director of Intrant, shared the figure in an interview with Diario Libre.

The figures confirm a harsh reality clear to anyone driving in the Dominican Republic. The vast majority of motorcyclists blatantly violate the rules of the road. For decades, authorities have allowed motorcyclists to do so, so these have not had any need to learn the rules.

The revelation now comes following the implementation of a new licensing system launched on 2 March 2026. Motorcyclists are being encouraged to get their licenses.

Under the direction of Milton Morrison, Intrant has replaced previous shortcuts with a stringent four-step process:• A mandatory...

The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) reported Wednesday, 11 March 2026 that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by a marginal 0.03% in February 2026. This stability marks 34 consecutive months that year-over-year inflation has remained within the government’s target range.

According to the official report, annual inflation settled at 4.67%, a decrease of 31 basis points from the 4.98% recorded in January. The figure remains firmly within the target of 4.0% ± 1.0% established in the nation’s monetary program, a streak maintained since May 2023.

Food supply normalizes after weather disruptionsThe BCRD attributed the month’s stable performance to a recovery in the supply of high-consumption staples. Prices for fresh chicken, various types of plantains, and other agricultural products saw reductions as production normalized following heavy rains and the...

A unified bloc of opposition political parties has filed a formal challenge before the Constitutional Court (TC), alleging that the 2026 National Budget Law is unconstitutional for failing to index the tax-free salary threshold for private-sector employees.

The coalition argues that by freezing the income tax brackets despite rising inflation, the government is effectively imposing a “hidden tax” on workers that by law would be protected through the automatic indexing of the tax-exempt base.

The constitutional “gatekeeper”The success of this challenge rests on navigating the Constitutional Court’s increasingly strict criteria for review. Throughout early 2026, the TC has reinforced its role as a specialized protector of fundamental rights rather than a “super-Supreme Court.”

According to recent jurisprudence, including Sentencia...

Omar Fernández / Acento

National District Senator Omar Fernández, representing the opposition Fuerza del Pueblo party, has officially reintroduced a legislative proposal to eliminate the mandatory Income Tax (ISR) advance payment, locally known as el anticipo, for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

The bill seeks to overhaul a controversial tax mechanism that requires businesses to pay taxes based on projected future earnings rather than actual realized profits. Fernández argues that this system “permanently decapitalizes” emerging businesses, forcing them to divert critical liquidity away from operations and investment to meet government mandates.

According to the senator, the burden of pre-paid taxes creates a precarious financial environment for the backbone of the Dominican economy. Data cited in the proposal highlights the following:• Market...

The recent meeting of the PLD Central Committee was ostensibly about the registration of eight presidential hopefuls, most notably the return of Gonzalo Castillo, who has been largely invisible since 2020. However, the real story lies in the structural shifts that further consolidate power within the party’s elite, political analyst Yanessi Espinal writes.

The official list of the eight approved pre-candidates includes Francisco Javier García, Francisco Domínguez Brito, and Charles Mariotti, who had previously expressed their interest. They are joined by Gonzalo Castillo, Ramón Ventura Camejo, Luis de León, Manfred Mata, and Mario Bruno Gonzales.

PLD Party vice president Ariel Jimenez and 2024 presidential candidate Abel Martinez, both who had expressed their interest in being considered for the candidacy, were not included in the recent list. Gonzalo Castillo was not...

The Utah Jazz are planning to try out the Dominican national team player Andersson Garcia for a limited stretch. The team officially announced the signing of Dominican forward Andersson Garcia to a 10-day contract on Wednesday, 11 March 2026. The move comes on the heels of Garcia’s breakout performance in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers, where he helped lead the Dominican Republic to a historic victory over the United States.

On 26 February 2026, the Dominican national team stunned the basketball world by defeating Team USA 87-79 at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California. It marked the first time the Dominican Republic had beaten the US senior team in a qualifying match since 1989.

Garcia, a 6’7? forward known for his relentless rebounding, was a central figure in the upset. He recorded 14 points and 7 rebounds (6-of-6 from the field) in 22 minutes of play. His...

It was a toque de queda (curfew) with Dominican streets quiet as families and friends tuned into “the game.” Team DR secured a hard-fought 7-5 victory over Venezuela at the IoanDepot ball park in Miami, Florida and moved to the quarterfinals with a first round 2026 WBC record 13 home runs.

Albert Pujols and Nelson Cruz’s team got the job done in Pool D to clinch the group 4-0. The win means Team DR will face South Korea on Friday (6:30pm ET). Quarterfinal games are scheduled for the IoanDepot ball park in Miami, Florida.

Venezuela now gets to face formidable reigning champion Japan (winner of three WBCs – 2006, 2009, 2023) on Saturday. Japan, Italy and the Dominican Republic are the only teams to have won all their games in their pools.

For the game against Venezuela, the Dominican Republic needed all its runs, six pitchers and all the fan support in...

Sheilly Núñez Guerrero / Acento

The Dominican Republic Association of Shippers (ANRD) has strengthened its leadership ranks with the appointment of Sheilly Núñez Guerrero as Executive Vice President. Previously, she was legal advisor at the Dominican Port Authority (Apordom).

With a track record of regulatory expertise, Núñez Guerrero steps into the role at a pivotal moment as the nation seeks to modernize its port infrastructure and logistics capabilities.

A native of Santo Domingo, Núñez Guerrero’s career has been defined by a series of high-level academic achievements. She earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) with honors from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), where she also completed postgraduate studies in Corporate and Business Law.

Her expertise extends into the geopolitical arena; she earned the title of International Relations Analyst from the...

President Luis Abinader traveled on Tuesday, 10 March 2026 to Chile to participate in the inaugural ceremony of new Chilean leader, Jose Antonio Kast Rist. He is accompanied by First Lady Raquel Arbaje, Minister of Foreign Relations Roberto Alvarez and his daughter Adriana Abinader Arbaje.

The Presidency reports Abinader attended on 10 March a first protocol greeting at La Moneda Palace.

Following the greeting, the head of state attended a reception for heads of state and government hosted by outgoing President Gabriel Boric for the invited international delegations.

The official agenda continues on Wednesday, 11 March with the presidential inaugural and the swearing-in of the new cabinet. The event will take place at the National Congress in Valparaíso, where José Antonio Kast will receive the presidential sash and formally assume...

The Dominican Republic has officially launched its first Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Attraction Plan for ICT Companies 2026–2036, a decade-long roadmap designed to position the nation as a premier regional center for high-value digital services.

The initiative, presented by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs (MICM) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to integrate the country into the global value chains of the burgeoning digital economy.

A Vision for nearshoring and innovationDuring the launch event on 10 March 2026, Minister Eduardo “Yayo” Sanz Lovatón emphasized that the strategy capitalizes on the global trend of supply chain relocation. He noted that the country’s stability and geographic advantages make it a “world-class tech hub” candidate.

“The Dominican Republic stands out as a reliable...

The Dominican Republic is moving to solidify its role in the global high-tech supply chain. On 2 March 2026, Minister of Industry and Commerce (MICM), Yayo Sanz Lovatón, unveiled a strategic roadmap aimed at transforming the Caribbean nation into a competitive destination for semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturing.

The announcement centered on the report “Analysis of the Enabling Environment for the Semiconductor and Microelectronics Industries in the Dominican Republic,” developed in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

In 2024, the Dominican Republic had declared the development of its domestic semiconductor ecosystem to be a “high national priority”, aiming to capitalize on shifts in the global semiconductor supply chain towards greater diversification and resilience.

This report, released on...

The surge in consumer loan arrears to 4.65% in January 2026 represents a significant departure from the relative stability seen throughout 2025. While the 2025 average for the entire financial system remained low, the consumer sector began showing signs of stress toward the end of the year. The delinquency numbers focus on personal loans and credit cards and do not include mortgages nor business loans.

The current 4.65% morosity rate for consumer loans is nearly double the average seen for the general credit portfolio in 2025. The annual average as of November 2025 was at 1.9%, according to the Superintendence of Banks.

Throughout 2025, the Superintendency of Banks (SB) and the Central Bank noted that while the general morosity index hovered around 1.9%, the consumer segment, specifically credit cards and personal loans, was consistently...

In a historic shift for the Dominican financial landscape, women have officially overtaken men in the total number of active bank borrowers, the Superintendence of Banks reports. According to the latest figures from the Dominican Banking Market Information System (SIMBAD), the gender gap in credit access has closed for the first time, signaling a significant leap in financial inclusion.

As of January 2026, the number of women with formal credit reached 1,311,792, a 42% increase compared to the 925,670 recorded in January 2021. This milestone was first reached in November 2025 and has since held steady, with women currently outnumbering men in the credit market by a margin of 3,579.

The report, titled Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Financial System 2025 and published by the Superintendency of Banks (SB), highlights that women are also leading the charge as first-time...

The JetBlue system outage on 10 March 2026 caused significant operational disruptions across the Dominican Republic after the nationwide ground stop in the United States for around an hour. Because JetBlue is one of the largest international carriers serving the country, the brief technical glitch created a ripple effect of delays and cancellations at Dominican airports.

The outage contributed to a broader day of travel disruption in the region, with JetBlue seeing high cancellation rates at its primary Dominican hubs. The airports with impacted flights were:• Santiago (STI): This airport saw the heaviest impact for JetBlue, with reports indicating 14 cancellations, representing approximately 56% of the airline’s scheduled flights for the day.• Santo Domingo (SDQ): At Las Américas International, JetBlue experienced 9 cancellations, affecting roughly 37% of its operations at that terminal.•...

Global rap sensation Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar) was in Castañuelas in the Monte Cristi province visiting her paternal grandparents after many years of absence.

Cardi B’s visit to the Dominican Republic serves as a brief respite for the multi-hyphenate star. Known as a rapper, singer, actress, and entrepreneur, her rise to fame is often cited as a quintessential “rags-to-riches.” Her stage name, “Cardi B,” is a shortened version of her childhood nickname, Bacardi.

Cardi B was raised in The Bronx, New York. She has been vocal about a turbulent youth involving street gangs and her experiences as a survivor of domestic violence. After gaining a massive following on social media starting in 2013, she transitioned into television, starring in the sixth season of Love & Hip Hop: New York.

The 34-year old highly influential American rapper, songwriter, and...

In the 2026 World Baseball Classic anyone watching a Team DR match will see that when a player hits a home run is brought a special decorated jacket and a dumbbell made of plantains.

Plantains are a staple food in the DR, and the Dominican breakfast is mashed plantains with salami, cheese and eggs. The Dominican national food (aside from the sancocho stew) is rice, beans, meat and fried plantains.

But how did platano power get to become a symbol of national pride in baseball? In the high-stakes world of international baseball, symbols of national pride usually involve flags or anthems.

The answer is that the “Plátano Power” phenomenon evolved from a spontaneous dugout joke into a global brand of athletic excellence, serving as the definitive cultural calling card for Dominican players on the world stage.

The movement traces back to the 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC)...

The capital city government of the National District is inviting to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic Venezuela vs Dominican Republic game on this Wednesday, 11 March at 8pm from a giant screen placed in the Malecon of Santo Domingo. That is, if it does not get rained out. The Dominican Institute of Weather (Indomet) has a green alert for Greater Santo Domingo, San Cristobal, San Jose de Ocoa and Monsenor Nouel. Indomet forecasts rains will fall in the afternoon. It is possible, the rains will have passed by the time the game happens.

The ADN invites to Plaza Santo Domingo, located on the Malecon corner Av. Abraham Lincoln, as of 7pm.

The Dominican Republic has already passed to the quarterfinals. The importance of the game is mostly because the loser will have to play Japan, the team to beat in the WBC, in the next phase. Japan has won three tournaments and is...

Following the Shield of the Americas Summit in Miami, President Luis Abinader outlined the Dominican Republic’s strategic position within this new regional coalition in an interview for El Dia. The initiative, involving 11 other heads of state and the United States, aims to solidify security cooperation across Latin America.

President Abinader affirmed that the Dominican Republic’s role will focus on deepening its existing efforts in regional security and the fight against drug trafficking. “We already maintain a very special role in security matters with intense cooperation; through this program, that collaboration will become even greater,” Abinader stated.

To ensure the initiative’s success, the President announced he will soon appoint a special envoy dedicated exclusively to monitoring and coordinating the program’s progress.

A unified military front against...

Minister Rafael Santos Badía / El Día

The newly appointed Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (MESCYT), Rafael Santos Badía, has announced a significant pivot in the government’s plan to reform the educational sector. Instead of proceeding with the immediate merger of MESCYT and the Ministry of Education (MINERD), the Minister will request the National Congress to return the current proposal to allow for a broader “consensus table.” He plans to meet with former presidents (Leonel Fernández, Hipólito Mejía, and Danilo Medina) and business leaders (CONEP) to ensure the reform is a shared national vision.

He made the statements during an interview with TV program D’Agenda. Santos Badia had been director of the Infotep vocational school system of the government before his promotion.

The goal, according to Santos Badía, is to ensure the reform aligns with President Luis...

Rosmery Sosa / NotiRed

Despite government “strategic plans” aimed at curbing gender-based violence, the Dominican Republic has recorded a bloody start to 2026. Data from the Fundación Vida sin Violencia (Life Without Violence Foundation) reveals that at least 18 women were murdered by partners or ex-partners in January and February, representing a staggering 200% increase compared to the six cases reported during the same period in 2025, Diario Libre reports in its coverage of the recent Ministry of Interior and Police press conference.

A trail of violenceThe year’s first victim was 30-year-old Rosmery Sosa, allegedly killed by her spouse on 2 January 2026 in the Gualey sector of the National District. Her death was followed by the shooting of Santa Sepúlveda, a 32-year-old teacher in Yamasá. Family members noted that Sepúlveda had faced constant threats from the aggressor, identified as...

New data from the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) reveals the widening gap between public and private sector employment, continues to show that government workers earn significantly higher hourly wages while working nearly four hours less per week than the national average, Diario Libre reports.

By the end of 2025, public administration and defense employees saw their workweeks shrink to an average of 36.4 hours during the final quarter. This represents a two-hour drop compared to the same period in 2024 (38.4 hours) and sits well below the national private-sector average of 40.3 hours.

Efficiency vs. earnings: The 10-year shiftThe trend toward shorter days and higher pay in government has been a decade in the making. Since 2015, the average government workweek has decreased from 38.8 hours to approximately 38 hours annually.

Despite this...

Medical experts and environmental advocates are sounding the alarm over a sharp increase in respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in the southern region, attributing the health decline to heavy metal microparticles and toxic gases emitted by floating power barges and coal-fired energy infrastructure.

During a panel discussion held on 9 March 2026 at the Héctor J. Díaz Cultural Center, Dr. Senén Caba, former president of the Dominican Medical College (CMD), presented a grim outlook for the residents of Los Negros and surrounding areas.

According to Dr. Caba, the power generation barges anchored in Los Negros are releasing high concentrations of carbon dioxide and fine particulate matter. These pollutants are directly linked to a spike in chronic conditions among the local population, including:• Chronic bronchitis and asthma: Irritants from fuel...

The Baní Bypass in Peravia province, constructed at a cost of RD$7.7 billion to link the south’s 10 provinces, is under intense scrutiny as experts warn that fundamental weaknesses in its design are directly contributing to a string of fatal accidents since its inauguration in August 2025.

A report in Diario Libre points to the risks for those using the shortcut to the southwest from the capital city and warns people should be aware to avoid becoming a victim.

While the 19.8-kilometer road was intended to modernize regional connectivity, Teodoro Tejada, former president of the Dominican Guild of Engineers, Architects, and Surveyors (CODIA), argues the project was flawed from its inception.

According to Tejada, who audited the engineering of the project, the primary issue is the road’s insufficient capacity. Despite being a major artery for the southern region, the...

On 5 March 5, 2026 the EERI Board of Directors elected Dominican university professor Ashley Morales Cartagena as EERI vice president for 2026. Morales Cartagena has served on EERI’s board of directors since 2023.

Morales Cartagena is a geotechnical engineer and disaster risk reduction professional with over 15 years of experience working across academia, industry, government, and international development. She is the founder and president of GeoRisk Consulting and a professor and researcher at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) in the Dominican Republic, where she previously served as director for four years. At the PUCMM she founded the EERI PUCMM Student Chapter.

She previously led the Disaster Risk Management and Geotechnical Engineering...

The Dominican Republic clinched its pass to the quarterfinals in the 20-team 2026 World Baseball Classic with a victory over Israel. The DR played its third game against Israel on Monday, 9 March 2026. The DR had already defeated Nicaragua (12-3), The Netherlands (12-1) and Israel (10-1).

Head coach Albert Pujols rested star sluggers Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez and Junior Caminero for the 9 March game. Regardless, that game against Israel would again be an extraordinary one for remaining Dominican batters. Seemingly with ants in his pants at his enhanced responsibility in the game, Fernando Tatis Jr delivered six of the 10 runs. MLB reported that the San Diego Padres outfielder hit the first grand slam by a Dominican Republic player in WBC history, setting a team record with six RBIs to lead the DR to its 10-1 victory over Israel at loanDepot park – and the trip to the Classic...

The 2026 World Baseball Classic has unearthed a new sensation, and his name is Lucas Ramirez. While his surname carries significant weight in baseball history, the 20-year-old outfielder made a name for himself as a star for Team Brazil even when that team was not able to win a single game in its pool.

In a tournament defined by national pride, Lucas provided one of its most cinematic moments. During a high-stakes showdown against the United States at Daikin Park, the young phenom sent a leadoff home run deep into the right-field seats off Logan Webb. The blast didn’t just cut the American lead; it served as a loud announcement that the next generation of the Ramirez family had arrived.

Watching from the stands was his father, the legendary Manny Ramirez. Ramirez senior is the two-time World Series champion and a cornerstone of the historic Boston Red Sox teams that featured Pedro...

The Dominican Republic’s tourism sector continues its aggressive upward trajectory, welcoming a record-breaking 1,184,902 visitors in February 2026. The figures represent a 13.1% increase compared to the same month last year, signaling what officials describe as an “extraordinary year”.

Tourism Minister David Collado released the data on Monday, 9 March 2026, during an industry briefing at the Hotel Jaragua. He noted that the current growth far outpaces pre-pandemic levels, showing a 64.2% jump over February 2019.

A breakdown of the arrivalsThe total visitor count is comprised of both air travelers and cruise passengers, both of which saw significant gains:• Air arrivals: 824,172 tourists arrived by air, an 11.3% increase over February 2025.• Cruise passengers: 360,730 visitors arrived by sea, marking a 17.6% rise from last year and a staggering...

The Cibao International Airport (STI) is undergoing a US$200 million transformation designed to double its operational capacity and establish it as one of the most modern in the Caribbean. The Cibao International Airport is an 18 km drive from the city center of Santiago, the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic. It is less than an hour’s drive from key tourism attractions on the north coast.

Félix García, chairman of the Airport’s board of directors, recently led a supervision tour of the site, highlighting that the expansion is currently integrating advanced commercial areas, expanded waiting lounges, and next-generation technological systems, Diario Libre reported.

The overhaulThe project, which serves as the primary gateway for the country’s northern region, aims to modernize the passenger experience through more efficient circulation zones and high-tech...

President Luis Abinader has officially sanctioned the development of the Playa Grande International Airport in the province of María Trinidad Sánchez, marking a significant infrastructure addition to the country’s burgeoning luxury tourism sector, Diario Libre reports.

Issued via Decree 115-26 on 19 February 2026, the mandate authorizes the construction of a private, non-commercial terminal located near the prestigious Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club on the Río San Juan–Cabrera highway. The project is backed by the commercial entity Fincas Serranía, S.R.L., with high-profile investors including former Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez.

Unlike the nation’s primary hubs, this facility is designated strictly for private international flights. Key operational constraints include:• Non-commercial status: The airport is prohibited from hosting regular...

Playa Los Patos / Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet published in February 2026 a list of 13 beaches that highlight the diverse coastal beauty of the Caribbean. The beaches range from bustling tourist hubs to remote, untouched sanctuaries.

Lonely Planet emphasizes that the Caribbean offers much more than just a place to sunbathe; it is a destination for world-class reef diving, expert-level surfing, and tranquil escapes into nature. The list showcases how different islands cater to specific travel desires, whether it’s the convenience of a resort-lined peninsula or the seclusion of a beach reachable only by boat or rugged trail.

The article also underscores the unique geographic features that set these shorelines apart, such as the dramatic volcanic backdrops of St. Lucia or the freshwater rivers that merge with the sea in the Dominican Republic. Beyond the physical beauty, the story...

The biggest rivalry in world football is coming to the Caribbean. This coming Saturday, 14 March 2026, the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez will host the “Noche de Leyendas” (Night of Legends), featuring iconic former players from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30pm in what will serve as the official grand reopening of the national stadium following extensive renovations for the upcoming 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games.

Organized by CBR Productions in coordination with FC Barcelona and the Real Madrid Ex-Players Association, the event marks the first time this historic rivalry will be played on Dominican soil.

A star-studded lineupThe event marks the first time a veteran Clásico has been held in the Dominican Republic. Fans will have the rare opportunity to see World Cup winners and Champions League icons return to the pitch. Among the announced...