DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Among those killed in the JetSet tragedy of 8 April 2025 was the son of former president of the Senate and today Minister of Public Works Eduardo Estrella, 35-year old Eduardo Guarionex Estrella Cruz. Estrella Cruz served as Vice Minister for Cooperation and International Relations at the Ministry of Housing. Estrella Cruz is survived by his parents and three other siblings.

Estrella Cruz had married Alexandra Grullon just last year. She is the daughter of the late Alejandro Grullon, founder of the Banco Popular and only daughter of his widow, Melba Segura, the woman behind the Sur Futuro benefit organization, one of the most important in the country. They were celebrating the birthday of Jhoana, wife of his brother-in-law, Eduardo Grullon, both of whom also died in the tragedy.

Eduardo Estrella is a former senator for Santiago and a political figure for...

President Luis Abinader early on designated highly respected engineer Leonardo Reyes Madera to lead the investigations of the collapse of the roof of the JetSet Club. Reyes Madera is the director of the National Office for Seismic and Structure Vulnerability (Onesvie).

Amid concerns in the general public that the “clean up” of the site would have swept away the evidence of what caused the tragedy, Reyes Madera said the evidence was taken to the Feria Ganadera site as investigations into what caused the apparent structural failure at the city night club advance.

At present, the materials are being analyzed by a team of local and international experts as part of the forensic report on the building. This report will be key in identifying and clarifying the possible causes of the tragedy, in accordance with the protocols established by the relevant...

In an interview with Tony Dandrade (producer of Primer Impacto, Univisión), Zulinka Perez, the daughter of Rubby Perez, who was performing at the JetSet Club on 8 April 2025, the night when the roof collapsed, denied the versions that Rubby Perez had survived the tragedy.

The media had reported that he was found because he was singing. His daughter, who was with him, said this was not true, that he died at the site.

The roof crashed on her father and another around 400 people, and he died instantly. She was on the stage with him when it happened. He was buried by the concrete. When the crane arrived, they were able to recover his corpse.

Perez said the collapse of the roof was not an accident, but rather the result of “negligence.” She said she is prepared to sue. “….so that the owner be held responsible before so many people, so many lives, so many...

As of 2am of Tuesday, 8 April 2025, the National Forensic Sciences Institute (Inacif) was against the worst catastrophe handled in its history. The collapse of the roof of the JetSet Club presented an unprecedented challenge the pathologists were not prepared for.

The corpses would be delivered to the Inacif to carry out the autopsies and the slow and tedious legal procedures to certify these persons as dead and indicate the causes of death. The delays in handing the corpses to the grieving families caused the relatives to despair.

The media shared the pain and sorrow and frustration of the relatives who awaited the bodies to be delivered to them. Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso one evening was at the Inacif to listen to the relatives and express her solidarity and urge these to be patient.

On Sunday, 13 April 2025, the Minister of Public Health Victor Atallah and the director of the lnacif...

There are seven medical doctors among the fatal victims of the JetSet Club tragedy that so far has claimed 226 persons. The doctors and their family were enjoying the concert by Rubby Perez when the roof collapsed on them.

CDN reports that the doctors practiced various medical specialties and testimonies all speak of their dedication to public health.

Among the victims are:• Dr. José Maldonado, a cardiologist at the National Police Hospital• Dr. Joselyn Rosado, an anesthesiologist at Marcelino Vélez Santana Hospital• Dr. Bibiana García, a general practitioner at Juan Pablo Pina Hospital in San Cristóbal• Dr. Yadira Cueto, a urologist at Ciudad Juan Bosch and Reynaldo Almánzar Hospitals• Dr. Lorraine Fernández Vargas, an internist at Dr. Antonio Musa Hospital• Dr. Melissa Tejada Sosa, a general practitioner at the Sanitas medical center• Dr. Mariona Ruiz, a...

New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrived to Santo Domingo on Sunday, 13 April for a two-day visit to stand in solidarity with the Dominican community. New York City is regarded as the second largest city in number of Dominicans, with around 700,000 residents, or 8% of the population.

“As the mayor of the city with the largest Dominican population outside of the Dominican Republic, Mayor Adams is making the trip to express heartfelt condolences and support to the families who are grieving, including many New Yorkers and their loved ones who have been directly affected by this tragedy,” the mayor’s office’s advisory announcing the trip read.

Adams is joined in the visit to pay respect to the victims of the deadly roof collapse by NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, who was born and raised in the Dominican Republic before emigrating...

The Francisco del Rosario Sanchez Bridge, also known as the “17”, will be closed down during Easter Week for repairs.

The recent JetSet Club tragedy that took 226 lives for an apparent structural failure spurred hundreds of complaints who feared the imminent collapse of the aging bridge.

Complaints regarding the delaying of the repairs had been in the media for weeks.

The note from the Ministry of Public Work stresses that a very high-grade group of local and foreign engineers and technicians, including those who designed and built the bridge, will carry out the repairs.

Geologist and member of the Dominican Academy of Sciences, geological engineer Osiris de León, is calling for urgent legal reforms to mandate periodic inspections of building structures across the Dominican Republic. While current laws ensure sound construction practices at the outset, he warned that ongoing environmental stressors—such as seismic vibrations, acid rain, and coastal salt—gradually compromise structural integrity, as reported in Diario Libre.

Furthermore, he acknowledged that while the Dominican Republic has sound laws and regulations governing construction, a critical legal and procedural gap exists: the lack of required follow-up assessments of aging structures.

De León emphasized that public buildings should be regularly assessed to prevent future risks.

He particularly highlighted the risk to hospitals, schools, stadiums, churches, and theaters. “These structures...

The National Institute for Traffic and Transportation (Intrant) is in the final phase of ending left turns from Av. Winston Churchill onto Av 27 de Febrero in the capital city. The move would be made to relieve congestion on the street, Diario Libre reports.

Going south on Av. Winston Churchill, drivers will need to cross the 27 of February and continue two streets to the intersection of Av. Sarasota with Av. Jimenez Moya (as the Churchill is renamed at that more southern point). At present, drivers have the option of doing a U-turn at the Av. 27 de Febrero intersection, to then take an eastbound street to Av. Abraham Lincoln to take the Av. 27 de Febrero in the eastbound direction. It is not clear if this U-turn will continue to be allowed.

Although the traffic lights have yet to be re-programmed, the signage referring to left turns has been covered up with...

Preventive public health measures are working. The majority of monitored diseases continue to show a downward trend, according to the latest report from the Department of Epidemiology (DIEPI) of the Ministry of Public Health, which covers Epidemiological Week 13.

Diseases such as leptospirosis, cholera, Covid-19, human rabies, and vaccine-preventable illnesses—including meningococcal disease, diphtheria, and polio—are all experiencing decreased incidence. Notably, no cases of cholera or rabies have been reported so far this year.

Dengue cases also remain low, with six new cases reported this week, primarily affecting children aged one to four. A total of 58 cases have been confirmed so far this year.

Malaria cases increased slightly, with nine new infections confirmed this week. These cases remain confined to known hotspots in San Juan, Azua, and Santo...

After an average Monthly Manufacturing Activity Index (IMAM) of just 50.7 points in February 2025, Dominican productive activities bounced back in March. The Index for March was set at 54.8 points, a very acceptable number.

There are five variables for calculating the index: sales, production, jobs, inventories, and delivery times. Activities that surpass the threshold of 50 points mean that manufacturing is positive and climbing from the previous month.

Set forth by the Dominican Republic Industries Association (AIRD), the IMAM over the previous three months was also above 50 points. However, upon a closer look at the number, it can be seen that only two of the variables were indeed showing an upward trend. Sales volume went from 43.1 points up to 56/3 points, and production went from 44.9 points to 59.6 points in March. But, jobs dropped from 60.7 points to...

The prosecutors for the Dominican state are asking for RD$23.9 billion in damages in the corruption case being made against Alexis Medina, the brother of former President Danilo Medina.

According to the indictment in the so-called Anti-Pulpo case, Alexis Medina used his position as the brother of the President of the Republic to create shell companies that vied for government contracts in areas where neither he nor his partners had any experience, any qualified personnel, or any equipment. These so-called “commercial entities” benefited from contracts covering everything from A-to-Z on the government’s shopping list. This list of the nearly two dozen commercial entities offered services of medical equipment and services, live animals and vehicles. And so much more.

The prosecutors provided evidence that the contracts were pushed forward by...

Dominican Republic’s Paris Olympics gold medal winner Marileidy Paulino (400m) competed in the 200-meter event at the first Grand Slam Track, the newest of athletics races. In the Grand Slam Track competition held in Jamaica, she finished in second place with 22.93 seconds, a season’s best time. Gabby Thomas of the United States was first with 22.62.

In the past four years, Paulino had been concentrating on the 400m and now it looks like she will take on competing in both events. Paulino had not competed in the 200m since the Pan American Games in Santiago de Chile in 2023. Paulino won the gold medal of that event, clocking in at 22.74.  

The GrandSlam competition in Jamaica (4-6 April 2025) was the first of four scheduled three-day events – each of the next three take place in the United States. 96 athletes competed across three days in Jamaica. The next meet runs from...

The Weather Institute (Indomet) announces rainy weather for most of the Easter holidays that began on Palm Sunday, 13 April 2025. Easter Week is the peak of domestic vacation time in the Dominican Republic, with schools off for the entire week.

Indomet reports that a passing active trough will bring rains to most of the country, mentioning the southeast (including Greater Santo Domingo), the southwest, Puerto Plata, Santiago and Bonao, the Central Mountain Range and the border provinces.

Read More:

• Indomet
• Diario Libre

As of almost 10pm on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, Center for Emergency Operations coordinator, Juan Manuel Mendez said the toll of the Jetset Club roof collapse is at 184 deaths. The number of deaths had climbed from 113 at 6am that morning.

When interviewed by Noticias SIN, Minister of Public Health Victor Atallah had said the high toll can be explained because most of the people were sitting or dancing when the roof collapsed on their heads. Most people died instantly.

The search and rescue operations for possible survivors and corpses at the JetSet Club at Av. Independencia is following international protocols and is carried out in three phases – search and rescue, rescue of corpses and investigation. Mendez said that the last live person was found at 3pm on 9 April. He said the search for survivors continues, while the efforts are mostly concentrated now on...

The Ministry of Culture will hold an official tribute in honor of late merengue icon Rubby Pérez, whose sudden death in the JetSet Club tragedy has shocked the nation.

On Tuesday, 8 April 2025, Rubby Perez’s family confirmed the death. He had kept singing to help rescuers find him. His daughter, who was performing on stage as part of the concert survived, but his saxophonist Luis Solis, is also reported dead.

The memorial will take place this Thursday, 10 April 2025 at the National Theater in Santo Domingo. The solemn ceremony running from 10am to 4pm will be a tribute to the beloved merengue singer. The tribute will be held with the artist’s body present, where fans and colleagues may pay their final respects.

Rubby Pérez will later be laid to rest at 5pm at Puerta del Cielo Cemetery.

The farewell has been organized by Vice Minister of Creativity and Artistic Training, Amaury...

The First Collegiate Court of La Vega has dismissed the criminal charges against Miguel Arturo López Florencio, known as “Micky” López, who was accused by the Public Ministry of leading a vast money laundering network linked to drug trafficking. Lopez is the husband of former PRM deputy Rosa Amalia Pilarte who was already sentenced for the same accusations. She had alleged innocence of the operations carried out by her husband and sons.

The Public Ministry has said it will appeal. There is a four-year statute for accusations to be presented, but this has been extended, especially in cases of corruption and drug trafficking. The long-lasting cases is a resource used by the defense in their attempt to get the accusations filed away.

The court’s decision, presided over by Judge Lucrecia Rodríguez, was immediately denounced by the prosecutor of La Vega, Aura Luz García, who labeled it...

The exchange rate of the US dollar against the Dominican peso has shown a noticeable downward trend over the past two weeks, retreating from its mid-March peak of nearly RD$64 per dollar. This shift is evident at commercial bank windows across the country, El Dia reports.

This decline is attributed to a combination of seasonal increases in foreign currency inflows from remittances and tourism, coupled with proactive measures by the Central Bank to manage the exchange rate. This development offers potential relief from inflationary pressures for consumers and businesses alike.

In the wholesale exchange market, the US dollar is currently trading at RD$61.46 for sale and RD$61.32 for purchase as of Monday, 7 April 2025, marking a decrease of 200 basis points during this period.

This downward movement is also reflected in the retail rates offered by major commercial banks. These...

On 8 April 2025, President Luis Abinader declared three days of mourning (8, 9 and 10 April 2025 by Decree 194-25) for the victims of the JetSet Club tragedy. He personally had learned of the tragedy when the governor of Montecristi, Nelsy Cruz, who was at the club that night, called him around 5 minutes after the collapse. She would be among the first to be declared dead. She was the sister of Nelson Cruz, the retired baseball player who is the coordinator of the Dominican baseball team to the World Baseball Classic.

Retired baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco are among the victims. The Mets Citifield in New York mourned Dotel with a pre-game ceremony on 8 April. Reportedly, Dotel was rescued alive but died on the way to the hospital.

The death toll is yet to be known after the concrete roof collapsed on top of a full house of patrons that had bought tickets to...

 The National Institute of Student Welfare (Inabie) announced on 8 April 2025 it has taken immediate action to ensure transparency and legal compliance in regards to the recent school supply procurement processes. The announcement follows allegations of irregularities highlighted by the investigative program “El Informe con Alicia Ortega” on Monday, 7 April 2025.

Noticias SIN reported that Inabie executive director Víctor Castro stated that the signing and certification of contracts with companies named in the investigative report, as well as others involved in processes for upcoming school years, have been immediately suspended.

“As executive director, I do not support any illegality, much less processes that contravene the provisions of the law,” the agency said in a statement.

Inabie requested the support of the Public Procurement Agency and Pro-Competencia...

Major League Baseball announced that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays agreed to a 14-year, US$500 million extension on Sunday night, immediately marking one of the biggest moments in franchise history. The club has not confirmed the deal, which is pending a physical.

The deal would keep Guerrero in the city where he grew up when his father was a key player for the Blue Jays. Vladimir Guerrero Sr would go on to become a Cooperstown Hall of Fame member.

Guerrero’s contract drama has hung over the Blue Jays for years now, but that spotlight grew brighter as the deadline for negotiations closed in. Finally, everyone can exhale. Guerrero debuted with the Blue Jays in 2019 and now has a chance to be a lifelong Blue Jay.

As reported, the Blue Jays have been aggressively chasing the biggest names in baseball in recent years. First it was Shohei Ohtani, which turned...

President Luis Abinader is optimistic the 10% tariff levied on the Dominican Republic may be removed. The “reciprocal” tax was levied as part of the global Liberation Day tariffs list announced by US President Donald Trump on 2 April 2025.

“We have started bilateral contacts in that sense,” President Abinader explained during his weekly Monday La Semanal press conference He said Minister of Foreign Relations Roberto Alvarez has been in touch with high US government officials. “We have requested a meeting with the Department of Commerce to deal with the issue at a bilateral level. We expect to have a response in upcoming weeks,” said the President.

The accreditation this week of the Dominican Republic’s new ambassador to the US, Maria Isabel Castillo Baez will make matters more smooth. Castillo Baez presents credentials in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, 9 April 2025. Previously, she was the Dominican ambassador in Mexico.

President Abinader commented during the press...

Economist Miguel Collado, executive vice president of the CREES think tank and non-profit consulting organization, urged the Abinader administration to put aside politics and take advantage of the Trump tariffs initiative to push forward needed structural reform in the country. The Dominican Republic has been levied with a 10% tariff on exports to the US, as part of the Liberation Day package presented by the Trump administration on 2 April 2025.

Collado, speaking during an interview for the morning talk show El Despertador on Channel 9, stressed that all has been said and studied and the country could take advantage of the present uncertainties to act. He said this is the time to “motivate change.” It is the time for action, if there is the intent to do something, he says. He suggests returning to the rationale of public policies based on economics. He says structural reform...

The Public Ministry requested in court on 7 April 2025 significant prison sentences, including 20 years for the alleged ringleader, Juan Alexis Medina Sánchez, brother of former President Danilo Medina Sanchez. The jail terms sought range from three to 15 years for other defendants accused of administrative corruption. The prosecution presented its sentencing demands to the Second Collegiate Tribunal of the National District.

Juan Alexis Medina Sánchez is accused of forming a corporate network to gain economic advantages in state contracts through collusion with officials, influence peddling, the use of false documents, and fraudulent maneuvers, including contract simulation and the use of figureheads. He faces charges of money laundering, embezzlement, unjustified enrichment, and illicit financing of political campaigns.

According to the accusatory...

One would have hoped this kind of procurement would be in the past. But the Monday, 7 April 2025 investigative report by Alicia Ortega shows the irregularities in government procurement continue. The investigation revealed that nine interconnected companies were awarded 27 contracts for RD$460 million by the National Institute of Student Welfare (INABIE) that supplies goods and services to public schools. The contracts are for the supply of school uniforms, footwear, and backpacks for the upcoming two academic years.

The investigation highlighted that these nine companies share links through common addresses, familial relationships, or identical workshop photographs presented in their bids. Alarmingly, some of these same companies had previously been flagged by Inabie itself for suspected collusion and anti-competitive practices.

Carlos Pimentel, the...

It was a normal Monday for JetSet Club, a traditional nightclub on Av. Independencia where merengue artist Rubby Perez had a full house of people partying and merengue dancing all night until…. At 12:44am a portion of the roof collapsed that Tuesday during the performance. Reportedly, 77 ambulances and around 400 rescue workers were sent to the scene. There are injuries and several fatalities.

The collapse of the roof occurred above the stage where Rubby Perez and his band were playing. El Dia reports Rubby Perez was rescued from below the debris. There is a report that his saxophonist would be among those who died.

Emergency responders, including firefighters, civil defense personnel, 911 services, and the national police, are currently at the scene. Eight firefighter units were sent, including the Huron team specialized in collapsed structures. 30 rescue...

In a thrilling finish at the “Wilkins” Vélez Recreation and Sports Palace, the Bayamón Cowboys defeated the Mayagüez Indians with a final score of 87-81. The Bayamón team secured the away victory in a tightly contested match that ended 81-87 in the fourth quarter.

Chris Duarte led the Cowboys’ offense with an impressive 32 points, while Javale McGee contributed 22 points and 13 rebounds. Danilo Gallinari added 4 assists for Bayamón. For the Indians, Milton Doyle stood out with 23 points, followed by Tyler Harrison who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Chris Duarte is a Dominican national basketball team player who had been released from the NBA this year. In July 2024, Duarte was traded to the Chicago Bulls as part of the sign-and-trade deal that sent DeMar DeRozan to the Kings. By December, he had a four-day assignment with the Windy City Bulls and...

The Ministry of Tourism celebrated its annual Florida road show on 3 April 2025, congregating travel business people from all around the Americas to talk about selling Dominican tourism products and services. The annual Miami roadshow created under the Ministry of David Collado has evolved into the most important vendor for Dominican tourism of leading international travel shows. The difference, Minister of Tourism David Collado points out, is that people there are talking Dominican vacations.

In its second edition, the Dominican Republic Tradeshow, organized by the Ministry of Tourism, served as a platform to promote tourism, conduct business, and elevate the country’s profile among industry leaders and a diverse audience of travelers. The event kicked off with the traditional roadshow, where the Minister of Tourism shared detailed information about the...

A US spirits company is marketing its new liqueur manufactured with fresh pineapple juice and a neutral cane spirit from the Dominican Republic. Chinola Pineapple is distilled and bottled, too in the Dominican Republic. The spirits company says the new drink spotlights Dominican tropical flavors.

Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs recently unveiled the latest addition to its collection: Chinola® Pineapple Liqueur. The handcrafted liqueur is artfully made with the prized MD2 pineapple, one of the Dominican Republic’s most cherished varieties. As the third release in the portfolio, Chinola® Pineapple Liqueur reinforces the brand’s mission to celebrate and share the vibrant tropical flavors of the Dominican Republic with cocktail professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Chinola® Pineapple offers a bold, fresh flavor and bright, natural aromas, crafted with 100% fresh pineapple juice...

Millions are being invested in the sleepy town of Montecristi. While still a sleepy and low key tourism destination, Montecristi slowly seems to being primed to play its role in the booming tourism industry of the Dominican Republic.

Montecristi is the most northwestern province of the Dominican Republic, the closest for cruise ship tourism from Florida. has hundreds of km of white sand beach and out islands, and for the most part, good roads too. The destination is known for its scant rains and the history of not being impacted by hurricanes.

A major cargo terminal and natural gas storage are in the completion phases in Manzanillo on the westernmost coast of Montecristi province. These two facilities would serve as alternates to the ports and natural gas storage facilities on the southside of the country. The Manzanillo Port seeks to serve as an export port for...

Tiffany & Co. has opened a store in Santo Domingo, marking its official entry into the Dominican Republic market. The new boutique store is on the first floor of the BlueMall Santo Domingo on Av. Winston Churchill 93.

Tiffany & Co. is marketing its engagement rings and personalized service, seeking to cater to sophisticated and upscale residents and tourists. Tiffany & Co. offers in-store and virtual appointments to help customers find the perfect gift, celebrate milestones, or get jewelry styling advice.

The space features an innovative and sophisticated design concept, including works by the German artist Casper Jansen, whose abstract pieces invite reflection. Customers can admire iconic collections like Lock by Tiffany and HardWear by Tiffany.

The company says that with the opening in Santo Domingo, Tiffany & Co. advances into an exciting chapter in the...