DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Marcos Barinas / El Día

In recent years, the capital city government has stepped up the permits granted for high rises. City residents have seen how apartment buildings have been authorized where there were single family homes in prime residential and commercial areas such as Piantini, Evaristo Morales and Naco. Lack of parking, size of streets, drainage and water supply has been ignored. A recent interview in El Dia looks into the consequences of the boom in new high rise developments.

The recent torrential rains in Greater Santo Domingo, which saw sudden accumulations exceeding 300 millimeters, flooded Greater Santo Domingo from midnight to the early morning on Wednesday, 8 April 2026. There were stranded vehicles and collapsed intersections.

While the volume of water was exceptional, architect and urban planner Marcos Barinas warns that the crisis is less a natural inevitability and...

In the face of current events in the Middle East, where Iran threatens the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and where oil prices are dancing above US$100 a barrel, President Luis Abinader has called for wide-reaching meetings with government officials, unions, and business all together. Minister of the Presidency Jose Ignacio Paliza told reporters that business leaders and administration officials had exchanged ideas and proposals that would protect economic growth in the face of the realities of the Iran crisis. One of the results of these meetings was an increase in gasoline prices. More policies are expected to be put into practice, if the Iran crisis continues.

One of the objectives of the meetings is to do everything possible to maintain food and essential goods prices under control, by increasing subsidies in some cases. Minister of Hacienda and...

As it has done for many decades, the meteorologists at Colorado State University have issued their first forecast for the 2026 Hurricane Season. The CSU Tropical Weather Department says that 2026 will be slightly less active, with 13 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes of Category 3 or stronger.

This is slightly below the historical average, but differs from their 2025 forecast that had 13 tropical storms, 5 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes. The number of major hurricanes is relative, as all one needs is one major hurricane to turn life upside down when it hits.

We are still a month and a half away from the start of the 2026 Hurricane Season on 1 June. The Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season lasts until November of each year. You’ve probably heard rumblings about the burgeoning El Niño, and possible Super Niño, shaping up in the tropical Pacific. El Niño is...

The ubiquitous “cedula” is the personal ID card that every Dominican over the age of 16, as well as every person with legal residence in the Dominican Republic must have for the tasks of daily life. Bank accounts, cell phone accounts, travel and business all require at some moment the presentation of the cedula.

The Central Electoral Board (JCE) has worked for more than three years preparing for the introduction of a more secure document, and on Sunday, 12 April 2026 the process began for those born in the month of April.

The JCE is trying to make the process as simple as possible. But media reports say that the JCE got off to a slow start with many who had appointments had to wait for long hours to get their card. People who went through the procedure on Sunday recommend setting aside a full day to get the cedula, to tell from their own experience. The JCE had...

The Dominican Republic has been selected as the winner of the international “Country CureAll 2026” award, a recognition granted jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the United States. The announcement, made on 12 April 2026, highlights the country’s significant progress in improving pediatric cancer care and survival rates.

The Country CureAll is an annual global competition that evaluates the collaborative efforts between national health ministries, WHO regional offices, and partner organizations. The Dominican Republic secured wins in two specific categories:• Alignment: For successfully integrating the pillars of the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer into national health policy.• Impact: For achieving measurable improvements in patient care and access to treatment.

Context and goalsThe award is part...

Nelson R. Torres / Listin Diario

A high-level trade mission comprising 15 Puerto Rican companies is visiting from 13 to 17 April 2026. The delegation seeks to secure new investment opportunities and establish strategic partnerships with local firms to market Puerto Rican goods and services while positioning the “Island of Enchantment” as a prime destination for Dominican investment capital.

ProDominicana indicates that total Dominican exports to Puerto Rico were US$706.9 million in 2025, making Puerto Rico the fifth largest destination for Dominican goods, following the United States (US$7.12 billion), India, Haiti and Canada. Dominican imports from Puerto Rico were approximately US$476 million last year.

Nelson Rafael Torres Martínez, executive director of the Puerto Rico Government Office in the Dominican Republic, emphasized in...

The Ministry of Education and the Dominican Journalists Guild (CDP) announced on 6 April 2026 that Aníbal de Castro had been selected as the winner of the 2026 National Journalism Award. The jury, which evaluated 36 candidates, cited his 50-year career marked by ethical rigor and a “critical, analytical” approach to communication.

De Castro began his professional journey in the 1960s at El Nacional under the direction of Freddy Gatón Arce. He later moved to the evening paper Ultima Hora, where he served as editor-in-chief and director between 1981 and 1992. In 1994, he founded the investigative magazine Rumbo and later, in 2002, he established Diario Libre, the first free daily newspaper in the Dominican Republic.

His career includes a significant period in the diplomatic service, where he represented the Dominican Republic as ambassador to the United Kingdom, the United States...

The Santo Domingo Cathedral choir performed on Sunday, 13 April 2026 in honor of the 236 who died in the collapse of the JetSet Club roof on 8 April 2026. The mass was held to commemorate the anniversary of the tragedy that shook the nation.

Siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat are the main accused of involuntary homicide with a maximum of two years in jail sentence in the penal case. A technical forensic report indicated there was negligence.

During a memorial mass held on Sunday to honor the 236 victims of the Jet Set nightclub roof collapse, Father Rogelio publicly questioned the stance taken by the Espaillat family (siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat) regarding the tragedy. In the middle of his homily, the priest expressed his dissatisfaction with what he described as a distant attitude in the face of such a high-magnitude event. “Why the attitude? ¿Why...

Mary Louise Ventura / Acento

The Collegiate Court of the Villa Altagracia Judicial District has sentenced Mary Louise Ventura Garrido to 10 years in prison for the homicide of renowned dancer and actress Patricia Ascuasiati. The ruling comes after the court accepted the prosecution’s case led by fiscal José Andrés Fernández Javier.

The tragic event took place on 15 February 2022, at approximately 4pm, near Kilometer 40 of the Duarte Highway in Villa Altagracia. According to the investigation, the two women, close friends for over 40 years, were traveling in a white sedan driven by Ventura Garrido. The victim reportedly asked Ventura to stop the vehicle after noticing reckless driving.

Upon exiting the car with the intention of taking over the driver’s seat, Patricia Ascuasiati was struck by the vehicle as she crossed in front of it to get into the driver’s seat. Prosecutors argued...

In a display of regional unity and ancestral reverence, the heart of one of the Americas’ most iconic civilizations, the Teotihuacán Archaeological Zone, served as the stage this past Saturday, 11 April 2026, for the lighting of the new fire for the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026. The 70-minute ceremony seamlessly blended tradition and solemnity to mark the official countdown toward the regional multi-sport event.

More than 6,000 athletes from 37 participating nations will take part in the games that kick off at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium on 24 July 2026 in the Dominican capital city. The games will last until 8 August.

The proceedings began at 10:30am with the presentation of the presiding officials and the protocol for flags and anthems, gathering sports authorities, government officials, and representatives from the 37...

The Abinader administration recently announced millions have been spent for a modern radar (C-Band Solid-State Dual-Polarization Doppler Radar) installed at Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) to enhance private aviation security and the safety of those in the Greater Santo Domingo and the southcentral region.

Yes, Santo Domingo now has its own weather radar, but apparently, the people at the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) do not have the training to read the data and alert the population in a timely way. There is a difference between scattered rains and intense downpours that call for special preventive actions. The details in the data provided by the radar enable experienced weather forecasters to tell the difference.

On 7 April 2026, the National Meteorological Institute (Indomet) issued its usual daily weather forecast indicating that a trough would be moving our...

The “Justice for Jet Set Movement” announced the postponement of commemorative activities originally scheduled for Wednesday, 8 April 2026, marking the first anniversary of the structural collapse that claimed 236 lives, Listin Diario reported. The events have been rescheduled for Thursday, 9 April 2026, following emergency directives issued by authorities in response to heavy rainfall affecting several provinces since the early morning hours.

In a statement released via social media, the organization cited “force majeure” and the need to comply with safety protocols issued by relevant institutions as the primary reasons for the delay.

The original itinerary for Wednesday was set to begin at 10am with a mass led by Father Rogelio, followed by a formal tribute at 11am. Afternoon memorials were scheduled from 2pm to 5pm, concluding with a 7pm solemn...

During a memorial mass in Santiago de los Caballeros marking the first anniversary of the Jet Set nightclub collapse, Minister of Public Works Eduardo Estrella broke his public silence regarding the legal process, warning of a higher accountability if the courts fail to deliver a fair ruling. Estrella, who lost his son Eduardo Guarionex, his daughter-in-law Alexandra Grullón, and his daughter-in-law’s uncles Eduardo Grullón and Johanna Rodríguez de la Cruz in the disaster, emphasized that the Dominican people are watching the proceedings closely.

Most scheduled commemorative acts for the anniversary were partially suspended or moved due to a trough causing heavy rains and flooding across Greater Santo Domingo on 8 April.

“We expect the Dominican justice system to act as it should, not just as the families expect, but as society and the Dominican people expect,” Estrella stated.

A...

Antonio and Maribel Espaillat / Listin Diario

One year after the Jet Set nightclub tragedy, Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso warned that the justice system must not become a stage for “unnecessary delays” in the face of the victims’ suffering, as reported in Listin Diario. The tragedy, which remains one of the most significant structural failures in recent Dominican history, occurred on 8 April 2025. Reynoso spoke on occasion of the first anniversary of the tragedy and shared the indignation of the victims’ relatives of the delay in the actual start of the hearings of the case.

The accused siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat are free on bail. They face penal charges of involuntary manslaughter.

Reynoso stated that the Public Ministry has a constitutional mission to protect the rights of those affected by the collapse of the nightclub, an event that resulted in...

The Central Electoral Board (JCE) is set to begin the nationwide issuance of the new Dominican Identity and Electoral Card (Cédula) on 12 April 2026. To prevent the logistical bottlenecks that have plagued previous mass renewals, authorities have implemented a phased rollout based on the applicant’s birth month.

Under the new guidelines, citizens born in April will be the first eligible group to process their new documents. The JCE emphasizes that this transition is not merely a cosmetic update but a critical overhaul of the nation’s primary identification system to meet modern international security standards.

Phase one: The birthday-month protocolThe JCE has deployed a network of over 190 card-issuing centers across the country. To ensure an orderly flow, the following schedule and rules apply:

Priority access: Starting 12 April 2026, only those born in April may apply...

Hospiten has announced a US$80 million investment for the construction of Hospiten Punta Cana, a state-of-the-art medical facility designed to blend advanced clinical technology with rigorous environmental sustainability. The new medical center will be located in the Puntacana area to serve upscale customers in the Puntacana Resort & Club, Puntacana Village and Cap Cana areas. It expects to service both health tourism (tourists that come for elective and cost-saving medical services) as well as medical tourism (emergencies and critical care of tourists already in the country).

Hospiten was one of the first medical centers to open in the Punta Cana area when it opened its Hospiten Bavaro in 2000 at the time to service tourists staying in Bavaro Beach resorts. The company later opened the Hospiten Santo Domingo in Santo Domingo (2003).

The new project in Punta Cana, unveiled by...

The World Bank released its latest regional economic update on 8 April 2026, projecting that economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) will slow to 2.1% this year. This is a decline from the 2.4% growth recorded in 2025, as the region grapples with persistent global headwinds, high borrowing costs, and stagnant investment.

The report, titled “Slow Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean amid Global Uncertainty and Weak Investment,” highlights a challenging macroeconomic landscape. William Maloney, World Bank Chief Economist for LAC, emphasized that the region is missing out on major opportunities like nearshoring due to deep-seated productivity gaps and the rise of new trade barriers.

While the broader LAC region struggles, the Dominican Republic remains a regional outlier, consistently outperforming its neighbors. In its most recent...

Source: El Día

Expect Santo Domingo to host a world swimming championships in months to come. World Aquatics has certified the Santo Domingo Aquatics Center, located within the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center, and renovated for the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 that will take place in July and August 2026.

The facility now features four pools designed and built by the global aquatic firm Fluidra, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Buildings (MIVED).

The complex has received international certification from World Aquatics, confirming that its new installations meet the rigorous technical standards required for high-level global competitions and world record validation. The pools now feature climatization.

The Aquatic Center features four swimming pool. A diving pool, and two 50-meter swimming pools with...

The official countdown to the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games (CACG) begins Saturday, 11 April 2026 with a vibrant cultural ceremony in Mexico, marking the start of the torch relay toward the host city of Santo Domingo.

The symbolic journey will commence at the Teotihuacán Archaeological Park in Mexico City, featuring a performance by a troupe of cultural dancers. María José Alcalá, president of the Mexican Olympic Committee, will preside over the event, which culminates with the lighting of the flame in front of the iconic Pyramid of the Sun. This location is traditionally chosen for the “New Fire” ceremony to honor ancestral rituals and the spirit of unity among regional nations.

Much like the Olympic Flame is always lit in Olympia, Greece, to honor the ancient games, the Central American and Caribbean games often use Teotihuacán as their “Olympia.” Since 1995...

The Organizing Committee for the Santo Domingo 2026 XXV Central American and Caribbean Games has officially designated Uepa Tickets as the exclusive distributor for event ticketing. The collaboration aims to provide a streamlined, high-tech purchasing experience for both local and international fans attending the multi-sport regional event.

Uepa Tickets is the leading vendor of online tickets to events in the Dominican Republic.

The agreement was formalized by José P. Monegro, president of the Organizing Committee, and Fernando Queipo, president of Uepa Tickets. Under the terms of the partnership, the ticketing system will prioritize “accessible pricing” and leverage an extensive network of physical distribution points across the Dominican Republic, alongside a robust digital platform.

The organizing committee of the 25th Games explained that Uepa Tickets will deploy a...

Source: Somos Pueblo TV

One year after the catastrophic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub on the first hour of 8 April 2025, survivors, grieving families, and citizens from across the country will gather for a series of commemorative activities. 236 persons died and at least 180 were seriously injured. The event stands as one of the nation’s most devastating structural failures and left a profound mark on the Dominican social fabric.

The National District City Council declared 8 April 2026 a day of mourning. Among the dead in the roof collapse of the Jet Set nightclub was Christian Tejeda, director of the Urban Infrastructure Department and Bianka Reyes, operational coordinator for the Municipal Cleanup Department.

The memorial acts began at 10pm on Tuesday, 7 April 2026 with a candlelight vigil in front of the nightclub’s ruins under the falling rain...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero / Diario Libre

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...

Monika Infante / Diario Libre

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...

René Brea / Ensegundos Do

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.

In a recent interview with veteran host Jochi Santos on the show Es Temprano Todavía (Color Visión), Brea revealed what may be plans to take a creative approach to journalism. He spoke of his 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...

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...

Yaxel Lendeborg / El Día

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...

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...

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”...