DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

The Trust for the Development of the Mass Transportation System of the Dominican Republic (Fitram) announced on Tuesday, 7 April 2026, that commuters will not be charged for the Line 2C ride on the Santo Domingo Metro, Diario Libre reported. Fitram says the charges are now scheduled to begin in May once the trial period is completed. The 2C Line (7.3 km and five stations) began offering service right after its inauguration on 24 February 2026.

While Fitram had previously indicated that fares would be collected starting after the Easter holidays, the complimentary period is extended to give more time to finalize the infrastructure.

The mandatory transfer at the Franklin Mieses Burgos station (near Avenida Monumental) remains in effect. Diario Libre explained that Fitram originally planned to eliminate this transfer point by April, technical requirements and the need to manage high passenger demand have impeded the direct connection to Line 2, a situation that has reportedly...

A persistent trough (vaguada) across various levels of the troposphere, combined with moisture-laden winds from the east/southeast, continues to trigger moderate to heavy showers, thunderstorms, and occasional wind gusts across the Dominican Republic. The weather forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, 8 and 9 April 2026, is for heavy rains. The east coast is spared from the heavy rains.

The weather forecasters at the National Meteorological Institute (Indomet) report the rains that began on Tuesday will intensify with potential hail in some areas. The unstable pattern is expected to persist through the following Wednesday, 8 April 2026. While there may be morning scattered showers in the eastern and central regions, intense activity will ramp up during the afternoon, particularly in the Cibao Valley and along the western Haitian border.

Meteorological alertsDue to the high risk of urban flooding and the rising levels of rivers, streams, and creeks, Indomet has updated the...

Minister of Interior and Police Faride Raful reported that the 2026 Easter Week (Semana Santa) security operations resulted in the lowest homicide figures recorded in recent years. As of 5 April 2026, a total of 19 people died for suspected actions of criminals as documented during the holiday period.

Speaking following the Citizen Security Plan follow-up meeting on Tuesday, 7 April 2026, in the presence of President Luis Abinader, Minister Raful attributed the decline to the intensified operational reinforcement of the Joint Task Force. The strategy prioritized preventative patrols and active deterrence in high-traffic areas.

The 19 reported fatalities represent a 51% reduction compared to the same period in 2023. Furthermore, the figures show a 41% average decrease against previous years, where homicide tolls frequently reached as high as 39 during the “Semana Mayor.”

According to the Ministry, the days with the highest strategic deployment of agents, Palm Sunday, Holy...

The Dominican government, acting through the Ministry of Hacienda and Economy, has issued Resolution 164-2026. requiring all cruise ships operating casinos or gambling halls within Dominican territorial waters to obtain an official license. Under the new regulatory framework, licensing fees for these maritime gaming operations are tiered based on vessel capacity, reaching up to RD$1.5 million.

The government seeks new revenues from the floating casinos that dock at the Amber Cove, Taino Bay ports in Puerto Plata, the Casa de Campo Port in La Romana and off Catalina Island, and the Cabo Rojo Port in Pedernales, the Sans Souci Port in Santo Domingo and the Samana Port that will open in Samana in November 2026.

The resolution establishes the legal framework for “first-class cruise ships” to operate gambling halls while in Dominican waters. As noted in your draft, the fees are set at:• RD$1,000,000.00 for ships with 2,000 to 3,499 passengers.• RD$1,500,000.00 for ships with...

Major Dominican vehicle dealerships secured changes to a recent government tender for the procurement of 100 garbage compacting trucks. The tender was valued at around RD$760 million. El Nacional has been covering the tender for its readers.

In response to the protests from vehicle dealerships, the Administrative Ministry of the Presidency (MAPFRE) announced on 7 April 2026 that it revised the tender for the purchase of garbage trucks.

The Ministry issued a statement clarifying that it has “left without effect” the original terms of the bidding process (Tender MAPRE-CCC-SI-2026-0001) following the complaints regarding restrictive conditions and restrictive delivery deadlines.

The protesting suppliers alleged that the original bidding process, organized by the Administrative Ministry of the Presidency, was rigged to favor a single pre-selected supplier through “restrictive and discriminatory” requirements.

The protesting coalition includes prominent firms Viamar...

The authors of a study of air pollution in Santo Domingo published in Atmosphere are warning of the high levels of heavy metals generated mainly by the traffic jams in Greater Santo Domingo.

The authors emphasize that this study fills a major gap in Caribbean environmental research. They call for the Dominican government to strengthen environmental monitoring systems and move toward more rigorous emission control policies to mitigate health risks for the residents of Santo Domingo. The study dates back to 2022, thus if the study were to be updated in 2026, the findings would likely be worse because traffic and industry has intensified.

The researchers warn that because these metals are bound to respirable particles, they pose a severe risk to the population. Prolonged exposure to these elements is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, neurological damage, cytotoxic effects and various forms of cancer.

The pioneering study identified vehicular traffic and...

The General Migration Agency (DGM) has denied a public information request seeking to verify whether former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero holds Dominican citizenship or any official residency status in the country. The request, filed on 11 February 2026, aimed to confirm the existence of administrative records without requesting sensitive personal data.

In its official refusal, the DGM argued that the requested information is private. The agency cited Article 44 of the Dominican Constitution, alongside Law 200-04 on Free Access to Public Information and Law 172-13 on Data Protection. According to the DGM, disclosing even the existence of an administrative file would violate the privacy rights of the individual in question.

Context of the inquiryThe denial comes amid heightened public scrutiny regarding the traceability of official flights and the naturalization procedures for foreign nationals within Dominican territory. Recent reports have highlighted...

Manzanillo Gas & Power (MG&P) has announced the appointment of lawyer Mónika Infante Henríquez as the project’s new general manager. The company expects the move to strengthen its strategic positioning within the energy sector and bolster the project’s impact on national energy security.

The Manzanillo project, located in Montecristi, represents a total investment exceeding US$1.7 billion and includes two combined-cycle power plants totaling 840 MW and a natural gas regasification terminal. Under her leadership, MG&P aims to contribute significantly to the Dominican Republic’s energy security and socio-economic development, operating under international standards and responsible environmental management.

Infante Henríquez joins the project after serving from 2012 to 2026 as head officer at Aeropuertos Dominicanos XXI (Aerodom – VINCI Airports). Before her promotion, she served as legal director at the airports firm from 2008. Her professional profile integrates expertise in...

Renowned television producer René Brea has officially taken the helm as the General Production Director at CDN (Channel 37), marking a strategic shift in his career from entertainment to broadcast news. Brea, who recently resigned as programming director for the Telemicro Media Group, joins the CDN executive team with a mandate to modernize the station’s content strategy.

A creative approach to journalismIn a recent interview with veteran host Jochi Santos on the show Es Temprano Todavía (Color Visión), Brea revealed a long-standing ambition to reinvent the news cycle.“I am aching to do a news program. I want to take the news and turn it on its head,” Brea stated.

Brea argued that while the facts of a story remain constant, the delivery has become stagnant in the face of digital competition. He emphasized that the industry’s challenge is how to “repackage” information to engage a fragmented audience that increasingly relies on social media and streaming.

Brea’s new role...

Dominican star José Ramírez officially cemented his legacy as the most enduring figure in the 125-year history of the Cleveland franchise on Monday, 6 April 2026. By taking the field against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field, the 33-year-old third baseman appeared in his 1,620th career game, surpassing the record held by Terry Turner for over 108 years.

The milestone was marked with a mid-game ceremony before the sixth inning. Longtime coach Sandy Alomar Jr. presented Ramírez with the third base bag as the Cleveland crowd offered a standing ovation. With this appearance, Ramírez also became the only active player in Major League Baseball to lead his current franchise in games played.

While the “games played” record is the latest to fall, it is merely one chapter in what has become an assault on the Cleveland record books. Ramírez already stands alone as the only player in franchise history to record at least 250 home runs and 250 stolen bases.

According to data...

Those who follow Dominican basketball need to be aware of Yaxel Lendeborg, the new star in USA college basketball who was on the Michigan Wolverines team that on 6 April 2026 won the 2026 NCAA tournament. Lendeborg, a 6’9? forward, played a pivotal role in Michigan’s championship run, particularly on the defensive end where he averaged 2.1 blocks per game during the tournament.

Yaxel Lendeborg delivered 13 points in the final game the Michigan Wolverines played against the UConn Huskies 69-63 on 6 April 2026 to win the NCAA Division I men’s basketball national championship. This victory marked Michigan’s first national title since 1989 and ended a 37-year championship drought for the program.

Lendeborg is only the fourth Dominican to be on a winning team. The others are:• Charlie Villanueva: The first Dominican to achieve the feat, Villanueva was a key contributor to the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies during their 2004 title run. He averaged 8.9 points and 5.3...

Preparation for the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 is advancing steadily, with the Organizing Committee reporting that the majority of sports infrastructure is either already delivered, in the process of being handed over or in the final stages of completion. Scheduled to run from 24 July to 8 August 2026, the event is the most significant regional competition in the Olympic cycle, and the current pace of construction places the Dominican Republic in an unusually strong position compared to previous host nations.

Completed and high-performance ready facilitiesSeveral key disciplines are already fully equipped with competition-ready venues, some of which have been functional since 2023. These include table tennis, archery, field hockey, rowing, canoeing, and clay pigeon shooting. Facilities previously repaired to serve as sub-sites for the XXIV Games in San Salvador (2023) are also ready, requiring only minor routine maintenance.

The Equestrian...

The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) released its fourth and final bulletin for the “Conciencia por la Vida” Easter Week 2026 operations, reporting a total of 27 fatalities. This compares to 30 deaths reported during the 2025 Easter Week holiday.

Despite the heavy movement of domestic travelers, officials highlighted a significant improvement in public safety metrics, most notably a 60% reduction in medical emergencies compared to 2025. Authorities had reported a record 891,601 toll booth crossings from Wednesday 1 April through Friday 3 April 2026.

According to the consolidated data, 203 traffic accidents were recorded during the holiday period. A critical trend persisted in the transport sector, as statistics revealed that 88% of these accidents involved motorcyclists. Of the 27 total deaths, the majority resulted from road accidents, while a smaller portion was...

The Santo Domingo Metro Office has announced a significant expansion of the operating hours for the Line 2C extension of the Santo Domingo Metro. This adjustment is part of the ongoing trial period, aimed at improving mobility for residents of Los Alcarrizos.

The new schedule eliminates previous midday gaps, providing continuous service throughout the day. This is a strategic move to reduce travel times and encourage the use of mass transit along the congested Duarte Highway corridor.

From Monday to Saturday, the schedule is now 6am to 8pm. On Sundays and holidays, Line 2C will operate from 8am to 8pm.

Line 2C spans 7.3 kilometers with five stations. It has 800 meters of an underground run and a 6.5 km along an elevated viaduct that connects with other lines of the city metro.

Read more in...

The Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex) announces that as part of a structural overhaul of the Dominican Republic’s foreign service, President Luis Abinader has ordered that all income generated by Dominican consulates be transferred directly to the state. The measure is described as a critical step in the “RD Meta 2036” project to align government transparency with the standards required for accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The Dominican Republic is taking steps to become a full member of the OECD.

Under the new mandate, 100% of consular service fees will be deposited into the Single Treasury Account (CUT). Historically, consular offices operated under a decentralized model that allowed for varied management of local receipts. The government stated that this centralization ensures state supervision and provides the necessary...

The Dominican government has deployed three military companies to the central border province of Elías Piña to reinforce security following a series of violent disturbances on the Haitian side of the border. The deployment of around 270 soldiers is part of a broader national security strategy announced by President Luis Abinader just 24 hours prior. Speaking on the need to safeguard national sovereignty, the President had ordered a tightening of surveillance across the entire 391-kilometer border shared with Haiti.

High-ranking officials within the Dominican Army confirmed that the three companies were drawn from various major units stationed in areas currently experiencing stable conditions. This allows the military to pivot resources to the Elías Piña corridor without compromising security in other regions.

The influx of troops aims to provide a visible deterrent...

The Banco de Reservas (Banreservas) has officially launched Expo Pymes 2026, a dedicated lending event designed to bolster the Dominican Republic’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Running from 5 March to 30 April 2026, the initiative offers competitive financing terms, including fixed interest rates starting at 10.25% for the first six months and repayment periods extending up to 24 months. Normal interest rates for this sector are around 18%.

During the launch event, Banreservas executive president Leonardo Aguilera emphasized that the program is tailored to facilitate credit access for business operations and expansion projects. The initiative aligns with a broader national strategy to strengthen a sector that is vital to the country’s financial stability. The initiative seeks to back the small business sector that accounts for more than 34% of the...

The Ministry of Public Health has ordered the definitive closure of the Centro de Cirugía Estética y Reconstructiva Diosa (Los Jardines) in Santiago de los Caballeros due to “unresolved irregularities.” The move follows the 26 March 2026 death of 32-year-old Angélica Geraldine Hernández and a subsequent formal criminal complaint filed by her family against the clinic’s staff.

Family files formal complaintRelatives of the victim have filed a lawsuit with the Santiago Prosecutor’s Office, seeking a rigorous investigation into the circumstances of her death. The complaint alleges medical malpractice and highlights the illegal conditions under which the facility operated.

The lawsuit identifies several individuals as allegedly responsible for the events leading to the fatal outcome. These are the medical staff made up of physicians Oscar Polanco, Heriberto Liranzo and...

The preliminary hearing regarding the structural collapse at the Jet Set Club has been rescheduled for 20 April 2026, marking yet another delay in a judicial process that continues to draw sharp criticism from the victims’ families. Judge Raymundo Mejía, of the First Court of Instruction of the National District, presided over the session where the decision was made to grant more time for the defense to review evidence.

The collapse, which occurred on 8 April 2025 during a performance by merengue star Rubby Pérez, is considered one of the deadliest structural disasters in the country’s history. The final official toll was established at 236 dead and 180 injured following the conclusion of a 53-hour search and rescue operation.

During the proceedings on 6 April 2026, judge Raymundo Mejía also authorized the presentation of a separate technical report to determine the causes of the...

The New York Mets have placed star outfielder Juan Soto on the 10-day injured list (IL) due to a right calf strain. The move, announced on 06 April 2026, is retroactive to 4 April 2026. While initial evaluations suggested the 27-year-old might avoid a long-term absence, an MRI confirmed the strain, and the club now expects a recovery timeline of two to three weeks.

The injury occurred during the first inning of the 3 April 2026 game against the San Francisco Giants. Soto appeared to tighten up while advancing from first to third base on a single by Bo Bichette and was subsequently removed from the game. Soto noted that the discomfort felt similar to a previous left calf issue he managed in 2022, though he described this current strain as “minor” and expressed optimism regarding his recovery.

To fill the roster vacancy, the Mets promoted infielder Ronny Mauricio from Triple-A Syracuse...

On 31 March 2026, President Luis Abinader officially inaugurated the long-awaited expansion and reconstruction of the main entrance to Samaná. The 1.2-kilometer project, timed to welcome visitors at the start of the Holy Week (Semana Santa) holiday, upgrades the gateway to the province to four lanes, aiming to reorganize traffic flow, enhance road safety, and bolster the region’s growing tourism and productive sectors.

The RD$1.2 billion intervention involved a total reconstruction of the road’s structure. To accommodate heavy-duty traffic and the province’s specific geological challenges, engineers used stabilized base and sub-base layers and installed a specialized integrated drainage system.

Given the high presence of groundwater in the area, the drainage system included:• Standard gutters and culverts.• Advanced storm drainage and sub-drains to prevent...

President Luis Abinader and Mexican-based ITM Group have announced that Port Samaná is scheduled for inauguration on 24 November 2026. The terminal is under construction in Arroyo Barril on the south side of the Samana Peninsula. The driving distance from Arroyo Barril to Santa Bárbara de Samaná is approximately 13.2 kilometers. The travel time is estimated at 18 minutes via the Autopista Nagua-Samaná.

The driving distance from Arroyo Barril to Samaná El Catey International Airport (AZS) is approximately 32.8 kilometers. The trip typically takes 35 minutes via the Autopista Nagua-Samaná, depending on traffic conditions. The proximity opens opportunities for home porting bookings where people fly in and then take a cruise.

The project, a themed cruise terminal, is expected to create 1,000 direct jobs. ITM Group is the same company that currently operates the...

Hyatt Hotels Corporation of the United States and Grupo Piñero of Spain have officially integrated Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts into the World of Hyatt loyalty program. This milestone, part of a strategic joint venture, brings over 20 resorts into Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection. World of Hyatt members can now earn and redeem points at participating all-inclusive properties throughout the Dominican Republic.

The locations and resorts now under this marketing program are:

Playa Nueva Romana (La Romana)Bahia Principe Escape Bouganville (Adults-Only): A sophisticated retreat focused on tranquility and leisure. Guests have direct access to the Ocean’s 4 golf course and premium beachfront dining.

Bahia Principe Explore La Romana (Family-Friendly): A vibrant resort offering a wide range of activities for families and groups within the security of the gated Playa Nueva...

The inaugural Cabarete Film Festival is set to be a standout addition to the North Coast’s cultural calendar. The event is scheduled for Friday, 1 and Saturday, 2 May 2026 in the Puerto Plata kite and surf beach town.

The first-ever Cabarete Film Festival will feature a high-profile tribute to acclaimed Dominican filmmaker Laura Amelia Guzmán. The honor recognizes her nearly two decades of contribution to Ibero-American cinema and her pivotal role in elevating the Dominican Republic’s presence at top-tier international festivals.

Spearheaded by the production group Cabarete Tango, this first-ever edition aims to reposition Cabarete as a high-level cultural destination, moving beyond its traditional identity as solely a hub for wind and water sports.

The festival is designed as an “oceanfront international music and cinema” experience, following the “luxury natural”...

The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) has yet to issue its final bulletin (No. 4) on the Easter holiday mega commute, but the incoming news already establishes new commute records.

2026 is now the year of highest mobility in the country’s main road history. The number of commuters using toll roads during the 2026 Easter Week holiday reached a historic 891,601 vehicle crossings over the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday commute, a 32.8% increase over 2025 when 671,455 crossings were reported. The peak travel day was Thursday, 2 April with 366,871 vehicles recorded in a single day. While the official holiday fell on Good Friday, 3 April, the government had allowed for non-essential public offices to close on Wednesday, a day earlier than in previous years.

In an overview of the Easter holidays, President Luis Abinader commended the population for its prudence and...

The Dominican Catholic Church delivered its usual poignant and introspective Sermon of the Seven Words (Sermón de las Siete Palabras) on Good Friday, 3 April 2026, at the Catedral Primada de América in the Colonial City. Listín Diario reported that this year’s oratory marked a distinct shift from the confrontational social activism of 2025, pivoting toward spiritual self-criticism, a crisis of empathy, and the erosion of traditional family values.

While the Church maintained its role as a social watchdog, the 2026 sermons prioritized internal reflection and the moral fiber of the nation over specific legislative or industrial disputes.

Key highlights from the Seven Sermons:• First Word (“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”): Reverend Francisco Benito Alvarado Herrera offered a rare and public act of ecclesiastical self-criticism. He asked for...

President Luis Abinader announced a comprehensive reinforcement of security across the Dominican border on the evening of 6 April 2026, following an emergency meeting of the National Security and Defense Council at the Ministry of Defense. The move comes as a direct response to the deteriorating security landscape in Haiti, where the High Command of the Haitian Armed Forces has declared “Condition D” that is the highest state of alert, effective as of 6 April 2026.

The presidential directive follows the 1 April 2026 arrival of the first contingent of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), a UN Security Council-backed mission tasked with stabilizing the neighboring nation. Despite international intervention, violence has surged. Last week, the Haitian National Police reported intense clashes in the Artibonite department, north of Port-au-Prince, following a massacre attributed...

President Luis Abinader has enacted Law No. 13-26, a legislative amendment that practically eliminates independent candidacies for the 2028 general elections. All candidates need to be backed by recognized political organizations – political parties, groupings and movements.

This means that any individual wishing to run for a legislative, municipal, or executive office must be nominated by a legally recognized political organization. These are the only candidacies that can aspire to the generous government funds made available to aspiring candidates.

The law, signed on 26 March 2026, serves as a direct legislative response to recent judicial mandates and structural concerns regarding the Dominican Republic’s electoral framework.

The new statute specifically repeals Articles 156, 157, and 158 of Law 20-23 (Organic Law of Electoral Regime). These previous articles had...

With Rafael Santos now the Minister of Higher Learning, the Institute of Technical Professional Training (Infotep) is boosting computer learning. Santos had directed the Infotep since the start of the Abinader administration in 2020.

The Las Americas Institute of Technology (ITLA) and the Institute of Technical Professional Training (Infotep) now announce new courses to reinforce computer literacy. The technical degrees would be in Computer Science and Intelligent Logistical Technology. The courses would be delivered online and will focus on practicality and results. The courses would integrate areas such as programming, software development, systems analysis, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (I o T). I o T is a term used to describe the network of physical “things” that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies that collect...

A video of a small whale delighting those commuting on the Santo Domingo Malecon on Thursday, 2 April 2026 with its jumps up into the air as the creature moved in a west-to-east direction. This is a rare appearance or probably a first. Whales are known to travel on the north and northeastern route as they make their way north.

Follow the story. YouTube

6 April 2026