A bipartisan delegation of eight US lawmakers, led by Florida Republican Congressman Brian Mast, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, concluded a two-day visit to the Dominican Republic, underscoring the nation’s critical role as a strategic partner to the United States.
A Presidency press release highlights that during the visit, Congressman Mast highlighted the relationship, stating: “President Abinader and the Dominican Republic are an incredible strategic partner for the United States.”
The delegation’s packed agenda included high-level meetings focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation on regional security, counter-narcotics efforts, and economic opportunities for both countries.
The US legislators were accompanied by US Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Leah Francis Campos. Ambassador Campos officially began her term in the Dominican Republic this November 2025.
The US legislators began their trip with a meeting with President Luis Abinader. He had just returned from participating in the Semiconductors Industry Association annual gathering in San Jose, California.
Also meeting with the US legislators were key cabinet officials, including Foreign Relations Minister Roberto Álvarez, Defense Minister Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, and Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso. The heads of the National Drug Control (DNCD) and Migration (DGM) agencies participated in discussions related to transnational threats with the US lawmakers.
They were joined by Brigadier General Mao Gomez Vasquez who leads the Dominican Task Force that is supporting the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS) and the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti for talks on issues related to Haiti.
US Ambassador Campos praised the host nation, describing the Dominican Republic as a “key partner” in the region, citing the country’s leadership in promoting stability and countering transnational threats. “Our meetings reaffirmed the solid partnership between our nations and our shared commitment to strengthening commerce and reinforcing security,” she said.
The members were: Representatives Bill Huizenga (Michigan), Jefferson Shreve (Indiana), Ryan Mackenzie (Pennsylvania), Michael Baumgartner (Washington), Randy Fine (Florida), Ami Bera (California), and Jimmy Panetta (California).
In addition to executive meetings, the group met with members of the Dominican National Congress, including Senate president Ricardo de los Santos and president of the Chamber of Deputies Alfredo Pacheco. As reported in Listin Diario, the Dominican legislators addressed the impact of the multidimensional crisis in Haiti on the Dominican Republic with colleagues from the United States.
The legislators also met with National District Mayor Carolina Mejia at the 500-year old Consistorial Palace in the Colonial City, and with Santo Domingo East Mayor Dio Astacio, whose municipality is a sister city with Allentown, Pennsylvania, located in visiting Representative Ryan Mackensie’s district.
“The United States has a close relationship with the Dominican Republic in collaborating for regional security. Our delegation’s visit reaffirmed this fact,” Mast stated, vowing continued commitment to regional prosperity. “We are committed to continuing to strengthen the security and prosperity of the United States, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the entire Western Hemisphere for many more years.”
Read more in Spanish:
Presidency
Listin Diario
Diario Libre
24 November 2025