The Ministry of Foreign Relations and subsequently the Presidency of the Republic have published on their websites the remarks of its Vice Minister of Foreign Relations Francisco Caraballo on the Dominican Republic’s official position regarding the situation in Venezuela following the extraction of Nicolas Maduro by US military forces.
Speaking during the meeting called by the Organization of American States (OAS) on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, Vice Minister of Bilateral Foreign Policy Francisco Caraballo reaffirmed the Dominican government’s refusal to recognize the legitimacy of Nicolás Maduro’s administration before the Organization of American States (OAS). Caraballo said on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 that the Dominican government cannot validate a “de facto regime” seeking to perpetuate itself against the will of the Venezuelan people.
The position was presented virtually by Deputy Minister of Bilateral Foreign Policy Francisco Caraballo, representing Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, during the extraordinary session of the OAS Permanent Council convened to address the crisis in Venezuela.
While Maduro was ousted by the United States military and taken to stand trial in New York City, his Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as acting President.
Caraballo told the OAS representatives that the Dominican Republic continues to refuse to acknowledge the presidential proclamation. The position is consistent with the stance adopted following Venezuela’s disputed 28 July 2024 elections.
“We cannot approve of continuing to put social peace or the integrity of the Venezuelan people at risk,” Caraballo stated.
The government officer outlined two immediate priorities for the region:
• The preservation of the basic functioning of state institutions.
• The construction of a “serious, realistic, and carefully planned roadmap” to support a democratic transition.
Caraballo emphasized that any transition must be unequivocally framed within the fundamental principles of international order: sovereignty, self-determination, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He noted that these principles that are enshrined in the OAS Charter, the Pact of Bogotá, and the Inter-American Democratic Charter must be reflected in any solution to the current standoff.
Warning that the current situation is “especially delicate and more dangerous,” the Vice Minister called for maximum collective responsibility from hemispheric states to prevent undesirable escalation, protect the Venezuelan population, and safeguard regional stability.
In light of recent events, Caraballo urged the OAS to demonstrate unity and agree on an effective formula to accompany the Venezuelan people, a move he argued is essential to restoring confidence in inter-American institutions.
The Abinader administration has allowed the use of the San Isidro Air Base and Las Americas International Airport for US military airplane operations.
Read more in Spanish:
Ministry of Foreign Relations
Presidency
Diario Libre
El Caribe
7 January 2026