Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful presided on 14 May 2026 over a naturalization ceremony at the Police Institute of Higher Studies (IPES), where 149 individuals from diverse global backgrounds officially took the oath of allegiance to the Dominican Republic.
The group represents a broad spectrum of international origins, signaling the country’s growing appeal as a permanent home for expatriates. According to official figures, Venezuela saw the highest representation with 39 new citizens, followed by Cuba (18), Colombia (14), Italy (12), and Spain and Russia with 10 each.
The new nationals included individuals from Belarus, Pakistan, China, South Africa, Belgium, Germany and Lebanon, highlighting the cultural variety of the new citizens.
During the proceedings, Minister Raful urged the new Dominicans to uphold the nation’s laws, the Constitution, and democratic values. She emphasized that acquiring citizenship is a dual commitment involving both rights and the responsibility to contribute to the country’s social, economic, and cultural development.
“Becoming Dominican represents a commitment to development, peaceful coexistence, and the strengthening of national identity,” Raful stated, welcoming the group into full integration with Dominican society.
Minister Raful was accompanied by Major General Andrés Modesto Ernesto Cruz Cruz, director of the National Police and Dayana Diaz, director of Naturalization, among others.
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18 May 2026