DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Education Minister Luis Miguel De Camps presented the recently approved National Digital Competency Strategy as a cornerstone for transforming the nation’s pre-university system during a high-level panel at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France this week.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Global Education Coalition on 24 March 2026, De Camps framed the initiative as a vital component of the national educational roadmap designed to align schooling with the demands of digital transformation.

The strategy integrates advanced pedagogical focuses, including computational thinking and Artificial Intelligence (AI). De Camps emphasized that these tools are intended to promote a “rational and intelligent” use of technology, ensuring that digital advancement serves to accelerate learning rather than replace the fundamental role of the educator.

“Technology must be...

President Luis Abinader continued his high-level agenda in France this week, centering on the Dominican Republic’s integration into global standards for transparency. On 25 March 2026, Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Paris, formalizing a partnership to design the country’s first National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Strategy.

The agreement, witnessed by President Abinader, aims to align Dominican public policy with international benchmarks. During his keynote at the OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum, Abinader described corruption as an “invisible tax” that distorts competition and discourages investment, asserting that integrity is a pillar of his administration’s economic and democratic development.

The OECD preliminary report: A reality...

As President Luis Abinader calls on the Dominican populace to brace for economic “sacrifices” due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, a spotlight has shifted toward the extensive suite of benefits enjoyed by the nation’s public officials. While the President assured the country on 22 March 2026 that the government has implemented “all necessary mechanisms” to mitigate global economic shocks, the contrast between executive austerity rhetoric and the statutory perks of high office has ignited a heated debate across social media and national discourse.

At the heart of the controversy is the disconnect between the daily financial struggles of the average citizen and the “comfy perks” ingrained in the Dominican state apparatus. Critics argue that before asking the public to tighten its belt, the administration should lead by reducing the fringe benefits that inflate...

The National Council of Participación Ciudadana (PC), the Dominican chapter of Transparency International, has elected veteran attorney and civic activist Francisco “Pancho” Álvarez Valdez as its Coordinator General for the 2026-2027 period.

The election took place during the organization’s 32nd General Ordinary Assembly, marking the third time Álvarez Valdez will lead the influential non-partisan movement.

Álvarez Valdez previously served as Coordinator General in 2000 and 2012. He succeeds Leidy Blanco García, who held the position for the 2025-2026 term.

A legacy of civic activismA member of Participación Ciudadana since 1997, Álvarez Valdez has been a cornerstone of the organization’s efforts to promote institutional transparency and judicial reform. Prior to this new appointment, he was a key member of PC’s Political Analysis Commission, where he...

The Ministry of Housing, Habitats, and Buildings (Mived) has ordered an immediate work stoppage at the Tuscany Palace Residence project in Bayahibe, La Altagracia province. The intervention follows a structural collapse during construction that exposed severe safety violations and a lack of legal authorization.

A specialized team from Mived’s Private Works Inspection Department conducted an on-site verification after the incident and revealed major technical failures. The Ministry reports that the collapse was triggered by an incorrectly configured shoring system. This failure led to an inadequate load transfer, which compromised the global stability of the formwork system currently under execution.

Inspectors also noted a dangerous lack of corrective measures at the site following the collapse, which increased the risk of secondary accidents for...

A man parked to the right side of Duarte Highway to let out a friend. He suddenly found himself under falling beams of steel and saved his life because the passenger seat door was still open when the cargo of the truck collapsed on him as reported in Diario Libre.

75-year-old Eddy Beard narrowly escaped death on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, when the heavy steel beams fell from a transport truck and crushed his Izusu Trooper at Kilometer 9 of the Duarte Highway.

Beard credited his survival to a split-second circumstance. His friend was in the process of exiting the vehicle when the cargo fell. Because the passenger door was already open, both men were able to scramble out of the vehicle immediately as the roof began to buckle under the weight of the steel.

While the vehicle was a total loss, Beard and his companion emerged without physical injuries. However, the...

In a coordinated interdiction effort at Punta Cana International Airport in La Altagracia province, agents from the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) and the Specialized Airport and Civil Aviation Security Corps (CESAC) seized 150 packages of cocaine weighing 153.75 kilograms.

The operation, conducted under the supervision of the Public Ministry, targeted a shipment arriving from Medellín, Colombia. During routine inspections in the arrivals area, DNCD agents, backed by military personnel and canine units, identified suspicious images via X-ray machines within four specific pieces of luggage.

Upon physical inspection following established legal protocols, authorities discovered the illicit substance wrapped in plastic bags and adhesive tape.

No passengers came forward to claim the suitcases, prompting an immediate investigation into the ownership...

The Dominican Republic has its own radars (Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo and Punta Cana) that are generating weather reports used by weather forecaster Jean Suriel and the forecasters at the National Weather Institute (Indomet).

But, for decades, the forecasts made by the US National Hurricane Center have been key and are very much followed for all concerned about what the weather will bring. The NHC tracks the storms as they move through the Caribbean to know their course as they impact Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and eventually continental USA.

Now, the NHC/NOAA is announcing It has revamped its weather forecasting tools for the June-November 2026 season.

The new US National Hurricane Center (NHC) hurricane tracking tools for 2026 Season are touted as technical upgrades. Of these, a more inclusive “track cone” gets most of the attention. “The upgrade seeks to...

The Colonial City (Ciudad Colonial) in Santo Domingo is the center of the country’s religious and cultural traditions.

Below are key events and details regarding the choral concert and other activities for Easter Week in the Colonial City:

Palm Sunday (29 March 2026): Blessing of the Palms and the “Jesús en el Borrico” (Jesus on the Donkey) procession, usually departing from the Santuario Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes around 10am.

Holy Thursday (2 April 2026): Mass of the Lord’s Supper that includes the ritual washing of the feet at the Cathedral of Santo Domingo. On this same day, the traditional Visit of the Seven Churches in the Colonial City takes place with churches remaining open to receive tourists and religious persons from 7pm until 11:30pm. At each stop, it is customary to offer a short prayer and observe the specially decorated altars.

The participating...

As the 2026 Major League Baseball season officially opens today, 25 March 2026, the financial footprint of Dominican talent remains a dominant storyline. While rosters are still being finalized for the full 14-game slate tomorrow, current projections and contract data indicate a massive year for Dominican players.

Overview of Dominican earnings (2026)The total projected earnings for Dominican players on MLB rosters for the 2026 season are estimated to exceed US$550 million, driven by record-breaking contracts for the league’s top stars.

Top Dominican earners for the 2026 season:Juan Soto. NY Mets. US$51 million.Vladimir Guerrero. Toronto Blue Jays. US$40.2 million.Manny Machado. San Diego Padres. US$31.8 million.Fernando Tatis Jr. San Diego Padres. US$24.2 million.Rafael Devers. Boston Red Sox. US$20 million.

The “minimum wage” impactA significant portion of the Dominican contingent...

The 2026 MLB season officially began on 25 March 2026 with the first games played over the weekend.

Of particular interest to DR1 readers is the strong Dominican presence in coaching ranks, including Luis Rojas (3rd Base, NY Yankees), Rodney Linares (Bench Coach, Tampa Bay), and Tomas Francisco (Tampa Bay).

This is in line with the revelation that several key team management and coaching jobs were held by Dominicans in the winning Team Venezuela of the 2026 World Baseball Classic tournament.

Read More:

• World Baseball

• DR1 News

In a high-level bilateral meeting at the Élysée Palace on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s role as the “preferred partner” for the Dominican Republic’s urban transport infrastructure, a relationship spanning over two decades. The meeting, the third encounter between President Luis Abinader and his French counterpart, concluded with a firm commitment to launch the construction of the Santo Domingo Monorail this spring.

The monorail project will span 12 kilometers. The line is designed to connect the National District with Santo Domingo East in a matter of minutes, significantly alleviating congestion in the capital’s eastern corridor. Eventually, the mass transit system is intended to connect with Las Americas International Airport.

Funding for the massive undertaking will be facilitated through the French Treasury and the French...

President Luis Abinader is in Paris to attend the OECD Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum held from 23 to 27 March 2026.

The participation called for the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the OECD and the Dominican Republic on 24 March 2026. This agreement is noted as a “strategic milestone” for the Caribbean region, as it establishes a roadmap for the country to implement the OECD Recommendation on Public Integrity.

The OECD Anti-Corruption and Integrity Outlook 2026 highlights the Dominican Republic as a significant emerging partner in the global fight against corruption. The report specifically details the country’s recent efforts to align its domestic legal frameworks with international transparency standards.

The report mentions the Dominican Republic in the “Leveraging Technology” section for its recent advancements in e-procurement systems. The...

A diverse coalition of priests, environmentalists, and rural community leaders took to the streets of Santiago on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, to denounce the government’s “opaque” mining policies and protest potential extraction projects in the Cordillera Septentrional (Northern Mountain Range).

The demonstration, which began at the Santiago city center Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, highlighted a growing rift between official government discourse and ongoing exploration activities in one of the country’s most ecologically sensitive regions.

High-stakes environmental warningsMarching through the city’s main roads, including Las Carreras and Calle Del Sol, protesters carried crosses and Dominican flags to symbolize their defense of national resources. The march culminated in a civic vigil in front of the Provincial Governor’s Office, where...

In a high-stakes maritime pursuit off the coast of Barahona, the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) intercepted a shipment of 564 packages of suspected cocaine, contributing to a record-breaking first quarter for Dominican counternarcotics operations. The mission, supported by the Dominican Armada (ARD), Air Force (FARD), and Army (ERD), is part of a broader crackdown that has seen drug seizures rise by more than 50% year-over-year.

The Barahona interdictionFollowing intelligence reports of a “go-fast” boat approaching from South America, authorities launched a multi-agency air, sea, and land deployment on 22 March 2026. After an intense, hours-long pursuit, the suspects attempted to evade capture by jettisoning cargo and grounding their 23-foot vessel at San Rafael Beach on the country’s southwestern coast. Six men were arrested at the scene.

In addition to the 13 sacks...

Easter Week, known as Semana Santa, is the most significant and transformative week of the year in the Dominican Republic. It is simultaneously a period of intense religious devotion and the country’s most massive annual vacation period. Schools and universities close for the weeklong spring holidays that run this year from Friday, 27 March through Sunday, 5 April 2026.

The country is already in Semana Santa mode. As of last week, major stores are offering sales of beach, camping and items popularly purchased for family and friends popular get-togethers.

Starting on Thursday, 26 March, expect the massive internal migration to start.

Residents of Santo Domingo and Santiago travel in droves to the provinces. Coastal towns like Las Terrenas in Samana and mountain retreats like Jarabacoa see their populations triple overnight.

Religious traditionsFor the devout and those who enjoy...

President Luis Abinader arrived in Paris on Monday night, 23 March 2026, for an official visit focused on anti-corruption leadership and high-level bilateral diplomacy with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The centerpiece of the visit is the OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum, where the Dominican Republic is increasingly positioned as a regional leader in transparency.

According to the Transparency International 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the Dominican Republic reached a score of 37/100, ranking 99th out of 182 countries, marking its fourth consecutive year of improvement.

Institutional strengthening with the OECDDuring the summit, President Abinader will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This agreement, facilitated by Secretary-General Mathias...

President Luis Abinader’s trip to Paris on 22 March 2026 to attend the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum, more than a diplomatic mission, is a high-stakes economic mission. The Dominican Republic is leveraging its improved reputation to gain the technical power needed to audit multinational mining giants, a significant win for national sovereignty and the treasury. The move is a step forward to enable the Dominican Republic to acquire the forensic accounting tools of the developed world to protect its natural resources.

One of the goals of the visit of President Luis Abinader to France for work sessions with the OECD is to align Dominican fiscal policies with international standards, specifically targeting tax transparency in the mining and extractive sectors. The Abinader administration has a pro-mining track record and has been...

Dominican consumers are facing a sharp increase in fuel costs as international oil prices hit US$100 per barrel due to Middle East volatility. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce (MICM) announced that premium diesel has risen to RD$257.10 and regular diesel to RD$239.80, both reflecting a RD$10.00 per gallon increase. To prevent further social unrest, the government has announced a temporary subsidy plan, though opposition leaders Leonel Fernández and Francisco Javier García have criticized the move as insufficient given the current fiscal strain.

Meanwhile, the country could experience relief as reports are that the price of fuel has dropped to US$88 per barrel. In a significant shift for the Dominican energy sector, the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the regional benchmark, has retreated to US$88 per barrel this morning. This follows a volatile week when prices...

The Ministry of Interior and Police has announced that citizens can now schedule appointments for vehicle certification and verification using the new Plan Piloto online platform. The platform is designed to streamline a process that previously required in-person attendance. The digital transition aims to eliminate intermediaries, increase transparency, and allow vehicle owners to manage the procedure directly.

The announcement was made by Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful following a meeting of the Joint Task Force, presided over by Vice President Raquel Peña on Monday, 23 March 2026. Minister Raful emphasized that the new system guarantees a more efficient workflow and prevents tampering or unauthorized alterations to the scheduling process.

How the new platform worksGeneral Juan Gabriel Gautreaux Martínez, Director of Technology for the...

A new study by Sapien Labs (Global Mind Health 2025) has identified the Dominican Republic as the country with the strongest family ties in the world. With a score of 72%, the DR sits 11 points above the global average. The study, which surveyed 1 million people across 80 nations, suggests that these tight-knit social structures act as a “psychological buffer” for Dominicans, particularly among citizens aged 18 to 34, contributing to higher mental resilience compared to other regions.

The Global Mind Health in 2025 Report (formerly the Mental State of the World Report) was released by Sapien Labs on 26 February 2026. This study, which analyzed responses from over 1 million people across 84 countries, highlights the Dominican Republic as a global leader in social and mental resilience.

Based on the 2025 findings and the data sheets released alongside the report, the following...

Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) has transitioned to the Airport Operational Database (AODB) system, a “digital intelligence” upgrade that is also having a positive impact on airport congestion while construction of the third terminal proceeds. In January 2026, the airport handled 505,593 passengers, underscoring the urgency for efficiency. The new system enables operational efficiency at a time when the Dominican Republic is seeing record-breaking tourism numbers.

Aerodom, a subsidiary of France-based VINCI Airports, confirmed that SDQ and Gregorio Luperón (POP) in Puerto Plata are the first in its network to implement this centralized “digital brain.” The system, developed by AirportLabs, includes the SkyCore AODB, Allegra RMS, and the Airport Community App. This infrastructure enables the airport to shift from reactive to predictive management by synchronizing...

The “Destination City” of Cap Cana and SBR Sports have officially announced that the third edition of the Ironman 70.3 Cap Cana will take place on 17 May 2026. The announcement comes as the Dominican Republic cements its status as a premier hub for international sports tourism, following the event’s recent recognition as one of the Top 5 Ironman 70.3 races in Latin America by the Ironman Athlete’s Choice Awards.

The 2026 triathlon will once again utilize the private, high-end infrastructure of the Cap Cana resort, offering a course designed for both speed and scenic impact. The race serves as a qualifying event for the 2026 Ironman 70.3 World Championship, scheduled for 12–13 September 2026 in Nice, France.

Wilber Anderson, CEO of SBR Sports LLC and the event’s chief organizer, emphasized that Cap Cana’s combination of safety, logistical infrastructure, and natural aesthetics is what drew the...

The resumption of flights between the Dominican Republic is led by a mix of Venezuelan and Dominican carriers. Laser Airlines marked the official restart on 18 March 2026 with flight QL 2968, arriving at Las Américas International Airport (AILA) from Caracas.

Commercial flights between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela officially resumed on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, ending a suspension that lasted nearly 20 months (from July 2024 to March 2026). The restoration of the air bridge follows a series of diplomatic and regulatory agreements finalized in early 2026.

Direct air connectivity was abruptly severed on 29 July 2024. The Venezuelan government, through its National Institute of Civil Aviation (INAC), ordered the suspension of all commercial flights to and from the Dominican Republic, as well as Panama and Peru. The measure was a retaliatory response to the Dominican government’s...

President Luis Abinader hosted a courtesy visit from Balearic Islands President Margalida Prohens Rigo on 17 March 2026 at the Presidential Palace. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, specifically in sustainable tourism management and educational exchange.

Upon her arrival to the Presidential Palace, President Prohens was received by Vice President Raquel Peña. Following a closed-door session with President Abinader, Prohens addressed the presidency press corps alongside a delegation that included the Spanish Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Lorea Arribalzaga Ceballos, and Minister of Higher Education Rafael Santos.

Also participating in the meeting were Maria Morla, director of the National Institute of Technical-Professional Training (Infotep); Encarna Piñero, Global CEO of Grupo...

President Luis Abinader is scheduled to arrive in Paris this Monday, 23 March 2026, to begin a high-level two-day official agenda. The visit is centered on a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron to expand commercial ties and cooperation, alongside a featured role at the OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum.

The Dominican Republic has been advancing to be accepted as a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The trip to France is also seen as a step forward to consolidate long-standing relations between the Dominican Republic and the French Republic, focusing on bilateral prosperity, transparency, and good governance.

Tuesday, 24 March: Anti-Corruption and Global StrategyOn 24 March in the morning, President Abinader will visit the headquarters of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development...

President Luis Abinader addressed the nation on Sunday, 22 March 2026, warning of inevitable continued price hikes in electricity, transportation, and food. He attributed these pressures to the “large-scale external shock” caused by the conflict in the Middle East involving Iran. He made the statements before leaving for a three day trip to France, where he will be meeting with French President Macron.

The President emphasized that the Dominican economy is bolstered by international reserves exceeding US$16 billion, robust liquidity, and reliable access to international financing. These fiscal buffers, he noted, allow the government to anticipate potential shocks and act decisively in response to any global or domestic contingencies.

The government highlights the figure of US$16 billion in reserves is a critical metric for economic stability, especially...

Magín Díaz / Diario Libre

The volatility of the international commodity markets, especially petroleum and its derivatives, has tasked the Dominican government to assess the situation seriously. Minister of Hacienda and Economy, Magin Diaz, has stated that this is a serious crisis, and it will have a direct effect on the Dominican Republic.

The statement came after an all-hands meeting with President Abinader, the Vice President, Raquel Peña, and all of the cabinet in attendance. Minister Diaz noted that the barrel of oil had increased by as much as 70% in a question of days, and, in answer to this, the government has laid out three points: the preservation of macro-economic stability; guarantee fiscal sustainability; and protect social stability.

During the meeting, the government discussed setting aside RD$12.0 billion as a fuel subsidy based on the budgeted projection of West Texas...

Haivanjoe Ng Cortiñas issued a sharp rebuttal to President Luis Abinader’s recent optimistic economic outlook, characterizing the first-quarter 2026 budget execution as “alarming” and a direct contradiction to the administration’s claims of fiscal strength, as reported in Listin Diario.

According to Cortiñas, official data reveals a primary operating deficit where total revenues are failing to cover even the government’s basic day-to-day functional expenses.

Cortiñas says the government is spending beyond means. He highlighted two critical figures to illustrate the current fiscal imbalance. Between 1 January and 20 March 2026, total government revenue reached RD$261,747 million, while total spending surged to RD$327,459 million.

The result is a staggering overall deficit of RD$65.71 billion thus far this year.

“Technically, the country is in a position of temporary...

Kristi Noem, the former US Secretary of Homeland Security, met with President Luis Abinader in Punta Cana on Sunday, 22 March 2026 to discuss regional security. The meeting was hours before President Luis Abinader traveled to France. Noem was recently appointed Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas multinational military and security coalition, following the 7 March Shield of the Americas regional heads of government summit in Miami, Florida.

The United States Embassy in Santo Domingo, through Public Affairs Counselor Chelsia Hetrick, confirmed to Listin Diario that President Luis Abinader and Special Envoy Kristi Noem signed a Declaration of Intent in Punta Cana on 22 March 2026. The document is designed to set the base for “deepening biometric cooperation.” According to the US Embassy, this strategic agreement aims to strengthen border security and facilitate legal travel while...

Representing President Luis Abinader at the Miami Security Forum, Minister of Interior and Police Faride Raful presented a report on the Dominican Republic’s historic shift in public safety and international cooperation. The event, hosted by The Heritage Foundation, convened over 200 political, defense, and private sector leaders to strategize against transnational crime and regional instability.

The Miami Security Forum, which featured the participation of Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful, took place from 20 March to 22 March 2026.

Minister Raful made her presentation, titled “Dominican Republic: A Strategic US Partner in Security Affairs,” on 21 March 2026. During this session, she shared the historic milestone of the Dominican Republic achieving its lowest homicide rate in history (8.15 per 100,000 inhabitants) during 2025.

This figure represents the lowest in the...

The trust entity known as RD Vial Trust is currently financing RD$15 billion worth of highway improvement projects in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works (MOPC), El Caribe reports. This financing includes remodeling of the toll roads, beltways and boulevards all around the nation.

The Abinader administration reports that since 2021, the RD Vial Trust has executed over RD$50 billion in different projects to improve ground transportation. The money has come from tolls and bond issues, and they are currently the largest investors in the improvement of the country’s highways and thoroughfares.

Nearly RD$6.0 billion is being spent on improvements along the Duarte Highway, the nation’s most important roadway.

The entire project will cost over RD$17.0 billion. Another project is the Navarrete Beltway. Navarrete is the key intersection of the...

The National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumidor) and another smaller agency, the Specialized Corps for the Control of Fuels and Commerce (CECCOM), have launched a nationwide operation to inspect places that sell alcoholic beverages, as reported in El Caribe.

The idea? To prevent the sale of illegal, adulterated, or contraband alcohol during the mega-Dominican holiday known as Holy Week, a time when the beaches and recreational areas are truly flooded with revelers enjoying a very long break in school or work.

This year, Semana Santa, or Holy Week/Easter Week, starts on Palm Sunday, 29 March, and goes through Easter Sunday, 5 April 2026.

The people from Pro Consumidor will be on the lookout for alcoholic beverages that produced somewhat like moonshine in the Appalachian regions of the United States, in hidden stills or mixing barrels where illegal substances can be added to the product. Every year there have been multiple deaths from ingesting...

The V-Dem Institute’s Democracy Report 2026 (titled “Unraveling The Democratic Era?”), considered one of the most prestigious and statistically rigorous assessments of global governance, gave Dominican Republic high marks. The V-Dem stands for Varieties of Democracy).

The report released 17 March 2026 points to “a great reversal” in global democratic standards. The same V-Dem Report data confirms that the Dominican Republic has avoided the “Autocratization Wave” currently sweeping 42% of the world. As per the findings of the report, the DR today serves as a regional benchmark for institutional stability in the Caribbean.

Based at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, the V Dem Report is widely cited by major international organizations (OECD, UN, World Bank), academic researchers, and premier news outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian.

The V-Dem...

A collaborative environmental initiative led by AVSI Dominican Republic and its partner SOH Conservación successfully executed a series of strategic reforestation days on 17, 18, and 20 March 2026. The efforts, coordinated with the Ministry of Environment and the Center for Research and Popular Education (CIEPO), focus on the long-term stabilization of the Lago Enriquillo National Park ecosystem, as reported in Primicias.

The intent is to combat sedimentation and erosion with strategic planting. Brigades planted approximately 6,000 specimens of native and endemic species, including Red Cedar (Cedro Rojo), Ceiba, Guama, and Corazón de Paloma. These activities took place in the communities of Sabana Real (La Descubierta), Majagual (Villa Jaragua), and El Aguacate (Neyba).

Máximo Díaz, project manager for AVSI, explained that the...

So far this 2026, the weather has been good in the Dominican Republic, with the intense tropical heat kept away by frequent systems from the north. Especially this past week, those in the DR have been enjoying relatively cool temperatures that make it unnecessary to use air conditioning. Gusty winds have prevailed recently.

Weatherman Jean Suriel says the pleasant temperatures will continue as a cold front moves south from Canada and the United States to the Caribbean.

Read more in Spanish:

• Indomet

• Jean Suriel

Dominican pitcher Cristopher Sánchez has agreed to a six-year, US$107 million contract extension with the Philadelphia Phillies. The deal follows the left-hander baseball player’s standout performance for the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The deal, which guarantees his presence in Philadelphia through 2032 with a club option for 2033, is being described by MLB analysts as a “good faith” restructuring.

Sánchez was already under a team-friendly extension signed in 2024 that would have kept him under control through 2028 for approximately US$22.5 million. However, following a spectacular 2025 season where he finished as the National League Cy Young runner-up and a dominant showing in the WBC, the Phillies opted to “rip up” the old deal to reward his elite performance.

The new contract breakdown:• Total guarantee: US$107 million...

The 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) opens this week on Wednesday, 25 March, when the New York Yankees will play the San Francisco Giants at 8pm. For professional baseball players, being on the Opening Day roster is considered to be a milestone, and for pitchers, in particular, to open the season of is a big deal.

This year, there will be 15 opening day games, and fully 33% of them will have a Dominican pitcher opening for his team. Five very good pitchers from the Dominican Republic, Luis Severino, Freddy Peralta, Cristopher Sanchez, Sandy Alcantara, and Jose Soriano will be on the mound to throw the first pitch of the 2026 MLB season.

Christopher Sanchez had an outstanding 2025 season, coming in second in the voting for the Cy Young Award. He will be opening the season for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Curiously, three of the five were part of the rotation for the...