In a strategic move to bolster citizen security and dismantle transnational criminal networks, the Dominican Republic and Spain have signed a comprehensive treaty focused on the prevention and detection of organized crime.
The treaty was signed by Dominican Minister of Interior and Police, Faride Raful, and the Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez. The pact establishes a formal bilateral framework to address crimes that transcend national borders, emphasizing a unified front against increasingly sophisticated global illicit activities.
The treaty outlines a broad mandate for cooperation, targeting a wide spectrum of criminal activities including:
• Organized crime & narcotics: Combating drug trafficking and the dismantling of structured criminal syndicates.
• Human rights & violence: Addressing human trafficking, domestic violence, and gender-based crimes.
• Financial & cyber crime: Strengthening defenses against money laundering, financial fraud, and cyber-attacks.
• Logistical illicit activity: Tackling arms trafficking, vehicle theft, and the falsification of identity documents.
Operational mechanisms
Beyond policy alignment, the agreement mandates practical operational assistance. Key provisions include the establishment of information exchange protocols, joint investigations, and on-the-ground operational support. These mechanisms are designed to accelerate the identification of suspects, the recovery of illicit assets, and the search for missing persons.
Minister Raful noted that the agreements “organize cooperation across the fronts that modern criminal reality demands,” making both nations more efficient and timely in their response. She emphasized that the instrument is built on the pillars of equality, reciprocity, and mutual assistance, reflecting the Dominican Republic’s commitment to its role within the international community.
Technical exchange and training
Spanish Minister Grande-Marlaska Gómez highlighted that the new legal framework reinforces technical assistance and specialized training. The partnership will facilitate the sharing of:
• Advanced investigative technologies: Implementing modern tools for criminal forensics and tracking.
• Best practices: Exchanging proven methodologies in criminal investigation and public safety.
• Security force training: Specialized instruction for law enforcement personnel in both jurisdictions.
The treaty underscores a shared recognition that international cooperation is no longer optional but essential for maintaining public order against the evolving challenges of global criminality.
The Spanish minister visited the Police headquarters in Santo Domingo.
Faride Raful serves as Minister of Interior and Police of the Dominican Republic since August 2024. Previously, she was the ruling party senator for the National District.
Her father, Tony Raful is the current Dominican ambassador to Spain. He is a prominent poet, historian, and politician. He is a recipient of the National Prize for Literature (2014) and has been active in representational duties in Madrid, including recent high-profile participation in events like Fitur 2026.
Read more in Spanish:
Ministry of Interior & Police
Noticias SIN
Noticias SIN
El Dia
30 April 2026