The Foundation for Institutionalism and Justice (Finjus), a prominent Dominican non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the rule of law, judicial reform, and democratic transparency, has issued a stern warning regarding the state of public safety.
The executive vice president of the entity, Servio Tulio Castaños Guzmán, stated that the recent death of a garbage truck driver Deivy Carlos Abreu Quezada, brutally attacked by a mob of motorcyclists in Santiago city, is not an isolated incident. Instead, it is a manifestation of a structural crisis that has been eroding citizen security for years.
Castaños Guzmán noted that in many sectors of the country, motorcyclist groups operate using collective force and intimidation. This behavior has shifted from simple informal transportation toward criminal patterns typical of mafia structures, directly challenging public order and state authority.
The foundation attributes the consolidation of this “parallel system” to institutional permissiveness, weakness in law enforcement and a significant absence of political will.
These factors have allowed thousands of motorcycles to circulate without effective regulation or real oversight. Consequently, these vehicles are frequently linked to criminal acts, street violence, the arbitrary occupation of public spaces, and collective assaults against both citizens and authorities.
As of February 2026, there were 3,846,694 registered motorcycles. There are 6,640,871 vehicles registered. In 2025, 314,727 additional vehicles were registered, about 9% increased compared to 2024.
Not all motorcycles in circulation are registered. Around 10,000 motorcyclists have Category 1 (motorcyclist) licenses.
The culture of impunity
The Santiago tragedy involving the stabbing to death by a motorcyclist 40-year old Deivy Abreu has exposed a deep sense of impunity, where groups believe they can defy the law without consequences. Castaños Guzmán highlighted the alarming frequency of daily traffic violations, such as running red lights, driving on sidewalks or against traffic and performing dangerous maneuvers.
Finjus concludes that these actions have created a climate of uncertainty, fueling a growing social demand for the rationalization and effective control of public roads to restore order and safety for all residents.
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Listin Diario
21 April 2026