President Luis Abinader has officially promulgated Law 1-26 governing the National Intelligence Agency (DNI), effectively repealing the controversial Law 1-24. This move follows months of intense public debate and negotiations aimed at balancing national security needs with fundamental constitutional rights.
The previous legislation, passed earlier in 2024, faced significant backlash from civil society, press associations, and legal experts. Critics argued that the original language granted the DNI excessive powers to compel private citizens and entities to hand over information without prior judicial authorization, potentially infringing on the right to privacy and freedom of the press.
The new version of the law includes several critical adjustments:
• Judicial oversight: Reinforces the requirement for a court order before the DNI can access private information.
• Clarified Scope: More precisely defines the limits of “national security” to prevent administrative overreach.
• Protection of Rights: Explicitly aligns the directorate’s powers with the protections guaranteed by the Dominican Constitution.
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Diario Libre
10 February 2026