DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

In a coordinated effort to improve public safety and urban aesthetics, the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel), the Mayor’s Office of the National District (ADN), and the Unified Council of Electricity Distribution Companies (CUED) signed a strategic cooperation agreement on Thursday, 26 February 2026, to remove obsolete and unused aerial cabling across the capital, as reported in Diario Libre.

The agreement was formalized by Guido Gómez Mazara, president of Indotel; Celso Marranzini, president of the CUED; and Carolina Mejía, Mayor of the National District. The initiative targets the “visual pollution” caused by tangled wires and aims to mitigate physical risks to pedestrians and drivers caused by deteriorating infrastructure.

In recent years, residents of Santo Domingo have frequently reported “spaghetti” wiring falling into streets, posing...

Following an intensive search operation, a crocodile that had escaped from a local tourist attraction was successfully captured on Monday, 2 March 2026. The reptile had been missing since 25 February 2026, after heavy rains caused the Joba River, in northern Espaillat province, to overflow, allowing the animal to escape its enclosure at the Rugama Ecological Park in Islabón, Sabaneta de Yásica.

As reported, the crocodile was located around 5pm at Playa Laguna in Cabarete, just meters away from a popular tourist complex. The capture was a result of a joint operation utilizing specialized nets, following several failed attempts to secure the animal in previous days near Playa Encuentro.

Rudy Martínez, owner of the Rugama restaurant and ecological park, noted that the escape was likely triggered by the rising river levels. Once captured, the reptile was handed over to...

Jean Alain Rodríguez / Noticias SIN

A National District judge rejected a request by former Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez who had sought permission to travel to Spain for a medical appointment. The judge said he did not file the request correctly. Rodriguez is being tried in the National District judiciary for corruption when in office. On previous occasions he had also attempted to leave the country and was impeded to do so at the airport.

His case has been long in the judiciary. Sources primarily note his defense has instrumented several procedures to delay the hearings.

Read more in Spanish. El Caribe Noticias SIN...

A trough continues to be the primary weather driver for the Dominican Republic for the next 24 hours.Rainfall and thunderstorms are expected during the afternoon of 3 March 2026 as marine humidity interacts with the atmospheric system.

The weather in urban areas continues cool in the early mornings, yet the country will soon move on to warmer conditions as the winter season passes. In the capital city of Santo Domingo, morning lows of around 20C continue to prevail for the time being.

In the early morning of 3 March 2026, a Total Lunar Eclipse was visible from the Dominican Republic.

Read the daily forecast at: Indomet Noticias SIN

3 March 2026

Dominican participation in the XXV Anato Tourism Showcase in Bogota, Colombia, under Tourism Minister David Collado, was a large one, with 45 Dominican companies present. Minister Collado told reporters that in 2025, over 400,000 tourists from Colombia visited the DR, a 19% increase from the previous year.

The strength of the Colombian market resides in that the South American destination is also attractive to Dominican tourists, making it an attractive market for both countries.

There are reports of hundreds of deals signed, and major airlines announced new frequencies adding 1,400,000 seats.

Among these, Avianca from Colombia, announced flights from Medellin and Bogota providing over 320,000 seats, with an average occupancy of 82% in 27 weekly flights to Dominican airports. Copa, based in Panama, will have 718,000 seats, averaging 87% occupancy and 70...

President Luis Abinader officially inaugurated the Gabriel Escarrer Juliá Hospitality and Tourism School on Monday, 2 March 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country’s public-private educational partnerships.

The new training center is located within the Meliá Caribe Beach Resort and Meliá Punta Cana Beach complex in the Verón-Punta Cana municipal district. Operating under a “hotel-school” model, the facility was established through a strategic agreement between the National Institute of Vocational and Technical Training (Infotep), the country’s government-operated vocational training entity, and Meliá Hotels International.

During the ceremony, which coincided with the 91st anniversary of the birth of Meliá founder Gabriel Escarrer Juliá, President Abinader emphasized that the success of Dominican tourism rests on the quality of its...

In a pivotal move for national aviation safety, President Luis Abinader officially inaugurated a new C-Band Solid-State Dual-Polarization Doppler weather radar on 25 February 2026. The government reports the new WRS300 radar was a RD$250 million investment.

Located at the Dominican Aeronautical Complex adjacent to Las Américas International Airport (SDQ), the facility marks a historic milestone in the government’s efforts to modernize the national meteorological system and strengthen airspace operational security.

The director general of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), Igor Rodríguez Durán, emphasized that this project completes the high-tech radar network that now provides total coverage across the entire Dominican Republic. This system follows the 2022 installation of a radar at Punta Cana International Airport and a second unit...

President Luis Abinader was in La Romana to inaugurate the Atelón tourist dock on Isla Catalina. Isla Catalina is an off island that services day excursions and cruise ship passengers. The new dock is a Dominican Port Authority investment.

Jean Luis Rodríguez, director of the Dominican Port Authority (Apordom), stated that with this one, 22 docks have been delivered under the current administration, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships.

During the inauguration, the government also announced a public-private partnership for the construction of the Isla Catalina Beach Club. Isla Catalina is a Protected Natural Monument. The beach club would be built by Iberostar’s World2Meet. World2Meet representatives Juan Tomas Diaz and Tomeu Gili noted that the dock creates the “exclusive access” necessary for their clients to reach the island and the forthcoming beach...

Lopesan Hotel Group is significantly expanding its presence in the Dominican Republic. Currently, the Spanish chain operates the Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort, Spa & Casino (1,042 rooms), which opened in May 2019 as its flagship property in Playa Bávaro.

Building on that success, the group has opened bookings for three new interconnected resorts scheduled to welcome guests in late spring 2026:

Lopesan Caoba Lagoon Resort, Spa & Casino: The complex’s centerpiece, featuring 552 rooms and a design inspired by tropical cenotes and expansive lagoons.

Lopesan Serenity Bay: A sophisticated, adults-only retreat offering 239 suites for guests seeking a quieter, more intimate atmosphere.

Lopesan Splash Cove: A family-oriented resort with 244 rooms, specifically designed for multi-generational travelers with five pools and dedicated activity zones.

All four properties will...

On 27 February 2026, the Dominican Republic celebrated its breakaway from Haiti in 1844. Part of the protocols for the day require the President of the Dominican Republic to address the Congress in what is called “a rendering of accounts.” The speeches, nearly always long by definition, recount the previous year’s challenges and how the administration dealt with them.

This year, President Luis Abinader spent a historic amount of time listing his administration’s accomplishments for the entire two terms of his government, including major roadworks. Nevertheless, capital investments are at a low, as part of the challenges that lie ahead. The President mentioned proposals that will deal with the key issues.

The President cannot run for re-election in 2028, nevertheless, his speech this time was the most vote-seeking style of his previous renditions. The...

Buried in the long speech to the Congress last Friday, 27 February 2026 was the announcement of an initiative to open several “dry ports” along the border with Haiti. These are basically container (multi-modal) and logistical hubs as well as customs stations, but removed from the sea.

President Luis Abinader’s announcement on 27 February 2026 specifically highlighted a network of dry ports acting as an “economic wall” on the border.

The border project is designed to be funded by the private sector and is estimated at over US$300 million investment through public-private partnerships rather than through public debt.

There is speculation this would be in great part an expansion of DP World investments in the Dominican Republic. DP World CEO in the Dominican Republic, Manuel Martínez, had already stated in February 2026 that their goal is to develop a “fully integrated...

According to multiple sources, the nearly country-wide blackout cost the Dominican Republic about US$200 million in lost goods and services. Commerce came to a halt, traffic got all tangled up, and basic services were stymied for many hours.

There are at least two ways to measure just how much money the blackouts cost. They make for interesting reading. One of the ways is to calculate the Cost of Energy Loss which is defined as the economic harm the nation’s economy suffers for each megawatt hour of energy not supplied.

“Experts” told the El Caribe newspaper that in an emerging economy such as ours, the cost per MWh is between US$8000 and US$20,000. Given the fact that during the blackout last week at least 25,000MWh were lost, the Cost of Energy Loss was easily US$200,000,000.

Another way to figure out the losses is to use the nation’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and the...

President Luis Abinader toured the northeast to see for himself the damages caused by very heavy rains over an extended period of time over the Independence Day long weekend. Residents in the town of Gaspar Hernandez in Espaillat province were the most impacted. The town lies between Cabarete and Rio San Juan.

The entire area experienced urban flooding, but in Gaspar Hernandez, it was catastrophic. Cars and small vehicles were swept away.

Previous alerts by the Center for Emergency Operations did not really prepare the region for the dowsing that came with these rains. The newly installed Puerto Plata weather radar did not make a difference in early warnings.

The Dominican Red Cross issued their Bulletin #7 on Saturday, and they reported that more than 3,200 houses and commercial establishments had been affected by the flood waters, and over 16,000 persons had...

In her opinion piece in Diario Libre on 5 February 2026, Ellen Perez argues that doubling the GDP per capita should not be the Dominican Republic’s primary objective. While the country has already achieved this feat twice since 2000, Perez points out that economic growth hasn’t translated into superior social outcomes; the DR still lags behind nations with lower GDPs in terms of the Human Development Index (HDI).

She speaks to the trap of diminishing returns. Following the example of Chile, Perez warns that growth inevitably slows as an economy matures, making linear projections of 5% growth unreliable.

She urges the government to focus on development versus growth. Despite rising incomes and better access to basic services, she points out that the DR suffers from a “bottom-tier” education system (ranking 79th out of 81 in PISA 2022) and weak institutional...

The Central Electoral Board (JCE) officially launched the countdown to the general elections in 2028. 2028 is the year for the holding of the municipal elections (20 February 2028), followed by the presidential and congressional elections (21 May 2028).

JCE presented a comprehensive calendar of administrative milestones and legal deadlines to political parties, civil society, and the media.

The announcement, led by JCE President Román Andrés Jáquez Liranzo and the JCE plenary, marks a record-breaking head start for the institution. By releasing the roadmap two years and one month ahead of the polls, the JCE has significantly outpaced the previous average preparation time of 15 months seen between 2012 and 2024.

Coinciding with the birth anniversary of founding father Ramón Matías Mella, President Jáquez Liranzo framed the early planning as a “trabucazo” (blunderbuss...

Commuters in Greater Santo Domingo should prepare for significant transit shifts as the Ministry of Public Works (MOPC) has in place a partial closure of the intersection at República de Colombia and Jacobo Majluta avenues to accommodate new roadworks in western Santo Domingo.

Commuters are advised to depart earlier than usual to account for potential bottlenecks during peak hours.

The closure marks the beginning of construction on a new underpass designed to alleviate chronic congestion and improve road safety at one of the capital city’s busiest transit points.

Officials stated that these routes are equipped with regulatory signage and traffic control devices to guide drivers through the modified flow.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Public Works, this provisional traffic configuration is expected to remain in effect...

Approximately 1,655 MWp from 20 projects (19 solar and 1 wind) successfully qualified for the next phase of the (tender EDES-LPI-01-2024 or EDES-LP-NGR-01-2025). For the first time, renewable systems are being required to incorporate Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with at least four hours of autonomy.

Some 12 renewable projects were excluded, representing 1,027.10 MW. The largest of these are the Las Parras Energy (246.40 MWp), the Pimentel Energy (119.60 MWp), the Montecristi Solar Fase II (105.60 MWp, the Parque Fotovoltaico Caribe Farms Solar I (85.00 MWp) and the Helios Solar Park (92.40 MWp).

The evaluation of financial offers is scheduled for 7 April 2026, with the final awarding expected between 27 April and 25 May 2026.

The Department of Energy of the United States announced the approval of permit for Project Hostos. Caribbean Transmission Development Co., LLC (CTDC) had applied to the US Department of Energy (DOE) for the US Presidential Permit to allow for the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of facilities for transmission of electric energy at the international border between the United States Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico) and the Dominican Republic.

The permit allows for a submarine cable capable of transmitting up to 700 MW of bidirectional energy. The timeline of the project estimates the completion of the project by January 2031. The cable will span approximately 150 km (93 miles) across the Mona Passage, connecting a new natural gas plant in the Dominican Republic (San Pedro de Macorís) to the Mayagüez substation in Puerto Rico.

The...

In a weekend operation targeting unconventional drug trafficking methods, the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) and members of the Public Ministry seized 96 scented candles filled with suspected cocaine at an international courier company in the National District. The DNCD press release did not indicate the name of the courier.

The inspection, part of a broader crackdown on creative concealment techniques, uncovered the illicit substance hidden within a shipment destined for Navarra, Spain. According to authorities, the package was dispatched by a woman claiming residency in Los Jardines, Santiago.

The substance has been referred to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) to determine its exact weight and chemical composition.

The DNCD stated that these “aromatic” tactics represent a persistent effort by international criminal structures to bypass established...

Andersson Mejía / FIBA

Outside of the Olympic Games, the FIBA World Cup is the most important tournament in basketball.

The Dominican Republic won both of its qualifier games (versus USA and Nicaragua) in the Window 2 of the Americas Qualifier for the FIBA World Cup. The DR wins ensured the team moves to the second phase.

The DR shocked the basketball world. On 27 of February 2026, coinciding with Independence Day in the Dominican Republic, the senior basketball team left USA basketball feeling a tornado had passed over them. The DR won all four quarters of the game against the United States, the game that should have been an easy win for Team USA.

The game was played at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California, home to the NBA G League San Diego Clippers. The game against Nicaragua was played on 1 March in Managua.

What is most impressive about the memorable Friday, 27 February...

President Luis Abinader is expected to address the nation on 27 February 2026. This would be his fifth time taking the podium to highlight the achievements and challenges of his administration. He first took office on 16 August 2020. As of the morning of 26 February, the Presidency had not confirmed the address and whether it will be from the forum of the National Congress. In the past, President Abinader has given the speech from outside the legislative house.

The address is televised on Channel 4 and a network of stations.

Friday, 27 February is a national holiday, marking Independence Day.

The Dominican government has announced that Santo Domingo will host the First International Forum on Rare Earth Elements on 27 May 2026 with a follow-up site visit to Dominican Republic’s Pedernales province, site of a large area with the critical minerals.

The event is significant because it represents a shift toward “responsible mining” and seeks to turn diplomatic interest into “concrete commitments for technological transfer”. The Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex) is acting as the central hub for this effort, bridging the gap between local mineral resources and international technical partners.

On 27 May 2026. The event will be held at the Convention Center of the Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex). Mirex is serving as the primary coordinator and venue for this strategic initiative.

On 28 May, the day following the symposium, international experts and...

For years, Haitians crossed the border to receive free medical services. The government looked the other way. International pressures urged lenience to relieve the humanitarian crisis in Haiti where medical services are collapsed. The increase in Haitian demand for free medical services was growing as the Haitian population continues to seek the free services. One of the areas in most demand by Haitians is for birthing services.

In April 2025, nevertheless, facing immense and unsustainable pressures on public health finances, the Dominican government instated new rules that restricted birthing of Haitians that could not prove legal residence in the Dominican Republic. Statistics today reveal this has resulted in a major relief on government finances and the quality of medical services for those living in the Dominican Republic.

The new migratory protocol in effect...

A troubling spike in diabetes diagnoses among children and adolescents has put the healthcare system in the Cibao region on high alert. At the Arturo Grullón Regional Children’s Hospital, the largest public hospital in Santiago city, medical staff report seeing up to 100 pediatric patients per month, a figure that underscores a growing public health crisis.

Dr. Lourdes Ruíz, coordinator of the hospital’s Endocrinology Department, describes the situation as a burgeoning pandemic. Experts attribute the rise to a combination of sedentary habits and poor nutrition.

Dominicans regularly consume a large amount of junk foods, a large amount of processed foods and fried foods. There is little awareness that these foods can be damaging.

Disordered eating is the primary factor in diabetes diagnoses among children and adolescents who, as adults, may...

A temporary 10% global tariff has been levied on Dominican exports as part of a 150-day surcharge under Section 122 of the United States Trade Act of 1974. This measure took effect at 12:01am EST on 24 February 2026. While the Trump Administration has signaled a possible increase to 15%, the current operative rate remains 10% for most non-exempt goods.

For the Dominican Republic, qualifying textile and apparel products imported under the DR-CAFTA agreement are specifically excluded from this new duty. However, other major Dominican exports, including medical devices and instruments (US$1.3 billion in exports in 2024), jewelry, and cigars that make up the larger portion of Dominican free zone exports, now face the 10% surcharge.

The United States is the Dominican Republic’s primary trading partner, absorbing over 53% of its total exports. Industry analysts warn that the new costs...

The Dominican Republic has been formally invited by the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) to participate in the 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled to take place in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from 27 to 29 March 2026.

The Dominican Republic has a long history of participating in the summits of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), formerly known as the ACP Group. As a member of the organization since 1992, the Dominican Republic has consistently sent high-level delegations to these meetings to coordinate development policies and trade agreements, particularly in relation to the European Union.The DR attended the 10th OACPS Summit held in Luanda, Angola, 2022 that focused on the transition from the Cotonou Agreement to the Samoa Agreement. The delegation highlighted the importance of climate...

Starting 1 March 2026, the annual legally-binding ban on the capture, processing, and commercialization of lobster and crab species officially takes effect, a critical conservation measure designed to safeguard the future of the region’s marine biodiversity.

The prohibition, which runs through 30 June 2026, is a coordinated regional effort to provide a window of safety for several key crustacean species during their peak reproductive season. In the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Codopesca) oversees the enforcement of this ban, aligning with international agreements like the OSP-02-09 regulation established by the Organization for Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (OSPESCA).

The effectiveness of the ban depends on consumer willingness to not order lobster and crab dishes in restaurants nor purchase these from...

Adriano Espaillat / De Ultimo Minuto

The City College of New York is the recipient of US$5.1 million in both Federal and State funding for projects supporting workforce development and the CCNY-based CUNY Dominican Studies Institute [DSI]. The funds are part of a record US$25 million in US Congressional Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations to CUNY.

Of CCNY’s Federal allotment, US$3.1 million was procured by U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) for the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute.

Founded in 1992, CUNY DSI is the nation’s first university-based research institute devoted to the study of people of Dominican descent in the United States and other parts of the world.

“This support will lead to more community events at the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute at City College. I won’t stop fighting for the resources to...

Dolphins swimming in Dominican waters may well be suffering the consequence of thousands of e-waste trashed into the oceans. Almost every Dominican older than 16 years old has a cell phone, tablet or laptop. Almost every household as a TV. The mishandling of e-waste in garbage dumps is barely being tackled.

New research published in Environmental Science & Technology has identified a disturbing global trend in South China Sea waters that likewise could be the same in the Caribbean. Liquid Crystal Monomers (LCMs), the chemical components that make screens on smartphones, TVs, and laptops function, are accumulating in the tissues of endangered dolphins and porpoises.

Scientists from the City University of Hong Kong analyzed Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and finless porpoises from the South China Sea. They discovered that these persistent pollutants are not just present in the animals’ blubber...

In a recent blow to Caribbean drug smuggling operations, Dominican authorities intercepted a vessel off the eastern coast of the Higüey municipality, seizing 42 packages of suspected cocaine near the popular tourist waters of Punta Cana.

The joint operation, mobilized by the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) and the Dominican Navy, was launched following an active alert. Tactical teams deployed to the area discovered a 17-foot recreational boat named “Robalo,” bearing the registration number PR-2057-AA. The vessel, powered by a 150-horsepower motor, was found adrift off the coastline.

Upon boarding the vessel, authorities discovered the 42 vacuum-sealed packages directly on the boat’s deck. Agents also confiscated several pieces of evidence, including a Garmin-brand GPS device and several buckets. The seized packages have been sent under a strict chain of custody to the...

The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) on 25 February 2026 announced three provinces are in Red Alert, meaning definite threat of flooding and damage, and those in vulnerable areas should evacuate.

The cold front system that has moved south from the freezing North America has resulted in intense rains that have caused major damages in Espaillat province on the northeast, between Maria Trinidad Sanchez and Puerto Plata. Traffic was paralyzed from Gaspar Hernandez to Sosua and from Sosua to Rio San Juan and Cabrera, Listin Diario reports.

N Digital shares the information of major damages caused by the intense rains in Gaspar Hernández, Amado Beragua, Jamao al Norte and Sabaneta de Yásica.

Albert Pujols / El Nacional

Albert Pujols, the manager for the Dominican Republic’s 2026 World Baseball Classic team, recently detailed the strategic reasoning behind his starting pitching rotation. According to reports from El Nacional and other local media, the decision-making process was a collaborative effort involving pitching coach Wellington Cepeda and focused on “matchups” and the logistical constraints of a short tournament. The WBC is set for 5 to 17 March 2026.

Japan has won in 2006, 2009 and 2023. The DR (2013) and the United States (2017) both own up to one victory. The three teams are considered the strongest contenders in the WBC.

The Dominican Republic is playing Group D against Nicaragua, The Netherlands, Israel and Venezuela, with games in Miami, Florida where the finals will eventually take place. In the previous series in 2023, the DR did not move to the finals...

Team Dominican Republic will host a two-game exhibition series against the Detroit Tigers at Santo Domingo’s Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal.

The matchups will take place on 3 and 4 March 2026 at the Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo, marking the first time the Dominican national squad has hosted a Major League Baseball (MLB) club on home soil.

The series serves a dual purpose: providing a final tune-up for the Dominican “Dream Team” before they head to Miami for Pool D play and acting as a memorial event. The games are dedicated to the victims of the 8 April 2025, tragedy at the Jet Set nightclub; as part of the initiative, MLB and promoter UEPA will make donations to the Dominican Red Cross.

The matchups:Game 1: Tuesday, 3 March at 6pm (Local/AST).

Game 2: Wednesday, 4 March at 3pm (Local/AST).

Roster highlightsManager Albert Pujols will have a...

The Dominican Republic’s senior men’s basketball team faces the United States Thursday, 26 February 2026 at 11:10pm at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California, USA. Playing in Group A of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers, the DR (1-1) is aiming for its fifth consecutive World Cup appearance.

The Dominican team is led by Argentine head coach Néstor “Che” García, who arrived on 18 February, to lead an intensive three-session training camp.

Roster adjustments and absences

Team general manager Junior Páez indicated the final 12-man roster would be announced 24 hours before tip-off. A major storyline is the return of Jassel Pérez following meetings between team management and his family.

However, the team is missing key guards. Andrés Féliz (Real Madrid) and Jean Montero (Valencia) are unavailable due to Euroleague commitments, while Chris Duarte opted to rest after an...

President Luis Abinader led the official opening to the general public of Line 2C of the Santo Domingo Metro, an initiative designed to enhance urban mobility and alleviate congestion on the Duarte Highway. The line spans 7.3 kilometers from the María Montez station to the Pablo Adón Guzmán station at the entrance of Los Alcarrizos, benefiting over one million residents.

Line 2C has five stops, a 6.5-kilometer marginal road parallel to the Duarte Highway, and a 940-meter tunnel. The official press release did not reveal the total cost of the project.

“Today, Los Alcarrizos is definitively connected to the heart of the city,” President Abinader declared. “This is not just an infrastructure project; it is a concrete response to a real need. It is a clear sign that when the State listens, plans, and perseveres, it can transform the lives of its people.”...

A synchronisation fault at a key coal-fired plant led to a nationwide outage after frequency plunged to 56 Hz, exposing once again the operational fragility of the country’s isolated power system, Strategic Energy website reports in its analysis of the Monday 23 February national blackout.

The Dominican Republic’s National Interconnected Electricity System (SENI) collapsed on that Monday morning after the abrupt loss of generation at strategic thermal power plants. According to official records from the grid operator, system frequency fell to 56 Hz following a sharp drop in power injected into the grid, resulting in a nationwide blackout.

Preliminary reports linked the event to a failure in the synchronisation system at the Punta Catalina power station, one of the country’s largest coal-fired plants. Technical sources confirmed that the plant’s synchronisation equipment...

In a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, President Luis Abinader formally swore in the management committee for the San Juan de la Maguana Botanical Garden, a project the administration has designated as a matter of “high public interest.” The initiative, established under Decree 38-26, is framed as a cornerstone for the province’s environmental conservation and scientific education.

The newly formed committee, headed by the Bishop of the Diocese of San Juan, Monsignor Tomás Alejo Concepción, includes top-tier officials such as the Minister of Environment, the Governor of San Juan, and the Mayor of San Juan de la Maguana. In his remarks, Bishop Alejo Concepción hailed the project as a “historic milestone” and an “act of justice” for the southern region, emphasizing its potential to strengthen the local academic and social landscape.

However, the...

The Emergency Operations Center (COE) has placed 10 provinces under alert due to the arrival of a nearly stationary frontal system located north of the country and moving here from The Bahamas. This system is bringing increased cloud cover, moderate to locally heavy rainfall, and cool temperatures typical of winter cold fronts in the region.

The following provinces are currently under alert:• Yellow Alert (Montecristi, Puerto Plata, Santiago, Espaillat, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Hermanas Mirabal). These areas are on high readiness due to the increased probability of intense downpours and potential urban flooding.• Green Alert (Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde, Duarte, La Vega): These areas are under caution for expected moderate rainfall and potential river overflows.

The active cold front is significantly lowering temperatures, particularly in mountainous regions like Constanza and...

The Banreservas Cultural Center has officially announced its Fifth Theater Season, a month-long celebration of Dominican performing arts dedicated this year to the illustrious actor, director, and playwright Giovanny Cruz. Running from 7 to 29 March 2026, the festival will feature eight diverse productions across three venues in the cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago.

The season, conceived by artistic director Guillermo Cordero, aims to strengthen the national theater circuit by providing a platform for independent companies and fostering new audiences. This year’s selection spans contemporary drama, historical narratives, psychological monologues, and family-oriented performances.

The schedule

Sala Ravelo, Eduardo Brito National Theater (Santo Domingo)These evening performances highlight seasoned talent and introspective themes:• La...

The local cyclist Danielky Cedeño, representing Team La Romana, won the first stage of the 47th Vuelta Ciclística Independencia Nacional. Twenty-four teams (11 national and 13 international) are participating.

The stages of the race cover 836 km throughout levelled and mountainous and urban lands from 24 February to 1 March 2026.

Cedeño, a native of La Romana, achieved the victory “at home” by finishing the 117-kilometer route from Santo Domingo to La Romana with a time of 2:13:58. He beat out Joseph Ramírez (Verrazano-Santiago) and James Schurman (City Bikes Miami) in a competitive finish. The stage covered Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macorís, and concluded in La Romana.

The stages:

Santo Domingo-San Pedro de Macorís-La Romana (117 km)Santo Domingo-Baní, Circunvalación, Santo Domingo (153 km)Santo Domingo-Rancho Arriba, San José de Ocoa (158 km)Circuito...