DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

The IMF wants the Dominican Republic to increase tax revenues, reduce borrowing, and address long-standing inefficiencies in the electricity sector that result in high losses.

The bottom line is that an increase in tax revenues will better position the country to pay the large public debt taken on by past and present governments.

In an article published by IMF Deputy Division Chief Emilio Fernandez-Corugedo, senior economist in the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department Pamela Madrid, and advisor to the IMF executive director representing the Dominican Republic Frank Fuentes touch on the key arguments they are unfolding in their visit to the Dominican Republic to discuss fiscal reform challenges.

The economists write that beyond the much-needed increase in tax revenues, comprehensive fiscal reform should include the adoption of a fiscal rule imposing long-term limits on...

José Bonilla Bojos / La Información

The Dominican Free Zones Association (Adozona) reports record exports of US$3 billion in May 2024, according to data from the Customs Agency (DGA).

Exports in May 2024 were up 5.3% compared to May 2023, with a value of US$1,218.86 million, compared to US$1,157.02 million in the previous year.

Adozona highlights the export growth is particularly noteworthy in national exports (those not under the free zone regime) which grew by 4.7% to reach US$368.72 million, and free trade zone exports, which exceeded US$800 million for the first time in history, reaching a value of US$814.67 million, reflecting a 5.7% increase compared to May 2023.

“These results are a clear indication of the robust growth and competitiveness of the free trade zone sector in the Dominican Republic. We will continue working to strengthen this important driver of...

The National Observatory for Consumer Protection (ONPECO) reported the vandalizing of the vehicle of Jefte Rafael Ventura on Sunday, 23 June 2024. Ventura for more than a year ago has been denouncing petrol companies commit consumer fraud in filling stations on the ‘Hablando de Vehículos’ digital platform.

His lawyer, Gian Carlos Martinez says they are asking the Attorney General Office to give special attention to this case. “No doubt criminal hands are the ones responsible for this terrorist act against a brave young man who has been eager to defend consumers,” the entity states in a press release.

Ventura has denounced that some stations are selling premium gasoline with little difference to the lower-priced regular fuel. But the government has not acted.

Onpeco recalls that at the beginning of their complaint, the body that regulates the sale of fuels denied the claim, but...

The 911 Emergency Agency was the first to report the names of the two who died in a freak accident on Monday, 24 June 2024 at 3am. 34-year old Roberto (Alex) Encarnación Diaz and Victoria Reyes were in the front seats of a Mercedes Benz SUV when crossing a street in the Evaristo Morales neighborhood without stopping at the intersection. At the same time, Reynner Jose Eusebio Rosario drove by in a Toyota Corolla also without stopping. Eusebio Rosario would impact the Mercedes Benz with the driver of that vehicle losing total control and swerving to the left, unfortunately right into a ditch built for an underground parking of a building under construction.

Encarnacion and Reyes are believed to have died instantly, while back seat occupants, Yanet Martes and Dany Hidalgo, survived and were sent to the Dario Contreras Trauma Hospital in Santo Domingo East.

Victoria...

José Rijo Presbot / Presidency

The trial against two brothers of former president Danilo Medina and 46 other defendants in the Anti-Pulpo corruption case continues. During the hearing on Monday, 24 June 2024, judges of the Second Collegiate Court of the National District heard testimony from José Rijo Presbot, the current director of the National Budget. Rijo Presbot was the first witness for the prosecution in the trial against Alexis Medina, the main defendant, his sister Magalys Medina, and other defendants in the Anti-Pulpo case, as reported in El Caribe.

Rijo Presbot reported that then Minister of Hacienda Donald Guerrero authorized payments to state contractors in violation of procedures for debt payment.

Rijo Presbot, in his capacity as a witness for the prosecution, stated that from 31 July to 14 August 2020, RD$20.9 billion were irregularly paid to 80...

Dominican Republic’s reigning 400 m world champion Marileidy Paulino was chosen by the Pan American Sports Organization as one of nine athletes – five men and four women — to be ambassadors for the Americas in the Paris Olympic Games.

The ambassadors collectively have 14 Olympic, 33 world, and 26 Pan American medals, and Paris is the next grand goal for these to add medals to their already very successful sports careers.

The Pan American Sports Organization ambassadors are Olympic, World and Pan American medal winners who represent sports excellence in the playing field and are chosen to be true role models for their countries and promoters of Olympic values all over the world.

Together the group adds up to 14 Olympic medals (seven gold), 33 World medals (20 gold), and 26 Pan American medals, which makes them the most successful team yet to represent Panam Sports since the...

The Ministry of Tourism is investing RD$32 million in shopping, park and sports areas in southeastern Guayacanes, San Pedro de Macoris province. Tourism Minister David Collado announced improvements to the Plaza Marcelino Marte (Plaza Canito) and the surrounding area.

The project centers around a complete reconstruction of the Plaza Canito, encompassing a sizeable 1,190 square meters of cobblestone walkways, the plaza itself (spanning 160 square meters), the park area, and the basketball court. This revamp will include the construction of new bleachers, a refurbished playing surface, and the installation of a modern sports lighting system.

Improvements will extend beyond the plaza with the Ministry building 580 square meters of sidewalks. The overall aesthetic will be enhanced with the addition of landscaping and an improved lighting system. To ensure accessibility...

Viva Resorts by Wyndham is offering a special grand opening promotion for stays at its new Viva Miches resort, with rates discounted by up to 40% for bookings made by 31 July 2024 for travel from the hotel opening on 11 December 2024 to 22 December 2025. The promotion includes benefits like best rate guarantee, early check-in, preferred room location, free in-room safe, and late check-out. Rates start at US$128 per person double occupancy.

Viva Miches is a new all-inclusive resort by Wyndham that is set to open in December 2024 in Miches on the east coast of the Dominican Republic. The area is known for its pristine beaches and turquoise waters.

The Viva Miches resort will feature 538 superior rooms, including some with private plunge pools. Guests can enjoy four outdoor pools, unlimited dining and drinks, and a variety of amenities and activities. The resort is described...

Imagine a game that combines badminton, tennis, and table tennis. That’s pickleball in a nutshell! Casa de Campo in La Romana added the trending new sport to its sports installations in June 2024.

The brand-new pickleball courts are part of an expanded Racquet Center at the resort and vacation community. Casa de Campo is already regarded as the country’s premier tennis vacation resort.

The Racquet Center at Casa de Campo has four pickleball courts, along with two padel courts — complementing the property’s existing 11 Har-Tru courts and one hard surface tennis court.

Pickleball court time is US$40 the hour during the day and US$45 the hour at night. Instructors are on hand to get you started for US$79 the hour, US$95 for two persons.

Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net. Players use solid-faced paddles...

Haydee Rainieri, member of the board of directors of Grupo Puntacana, expects the tourism industry in the Dominican Republic to continue to be the leading provider of hard currency into the next decade. As guest speaker for the American Chamber of Commerce luncheon on 20 June 2024, Rainieri also spoke of how artificial intelligence is becoming the go to tool for the industry and can strengthen the country’s positioning as a leader in the tourism sector.

In her presentation entitled “The Tourism Industry and Artificial Intelligence,” Rainieri addressed the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI) for the future of tourism in the Dominican Republic. She called for more in the country to immerse themselves in the new technologies.

“Throughout time, the tourism industry has proven to be highly resilient and that human beings are not willing to give up...

The Ministry of the Presidency cut the check for RD$84 million to remodel the Tetelo Vargas Stadium, home club to the Estrellas Orientales baseball team in San Pedro de Macoris. The stadium is one of the three built by Dictator Rafael Trujillo’s favorite engineer, Bienvenido “Bebecito“ Martinez. The other two stadiums are the Estadio Cibao, in Santiago de los Caballeros and the Quisqueya in Santo Domingo. The Tetelo Vargas was the last of the three stadiums to be built by Trujillo, and it is, by far, the smallest.

The engineers commit to remodel and modernize the stadium in time for the 2024-2025 Dominican Winter League season that opens in late October. The remodeling is also spurred by the Dominican Baseball League (Lidom). The intention is to make going to the baseball stadium more attractive. The remodeling will also increase the Tetelo Vargas’ seating capacity. It will...

The Abinader administration is investing in the Santo Domingo Metro to better serve the 350,000 to 400,000 commuters that use the mass transport service every day. Rafael Santos Pérez, director of the Metro Office (Opret), told Diario Libre that expansion works are advanced.

To reduce the long lines and congestion the Opret is expanding five of the stations of Metro Line 1. The underground stations have capacity for six cars.

Two new tunnels are under construction. One will connect Line 2 to Line 1 in the direction to Santo Domingo North. Another will connect Line 1 in the direction to the Centro de los Heroes in southern Santo Domingo with Line 2. Eight new electric stairs have been installed.

Transfer time between the two lines is expected to drop from 20 minutes to 10 minutes starting in August. More cars have been purchased and will be operating in August 2025...

April closed with positive numbers in farm, manufacturing and tourism sectors in the Dominican Republic. Commerce experienced a decline.

Farm produce

The Ministry of Economy’s Panorama report for April reveals that farm exports from January to April were up 11.7% compared to the first third of the year in 2023.

Farm produce exports were up 59.5% in April, reaching US$111.3 million. Exports through April 2024 were US$290.9 million, up 11.7%. The increase is attributed to the rising export value of tobacco exported to China and Nicaragua and raw cacao exports to the United States as well as new exports of eggs to Cuba and the United States. Loans to the farm production were up 8.6%.

Manufacturing

Likewise, free zone exports for the same period were up 11.7%, with local manufacturing exports up 2.7%. Overall, the demand for manufactured products grew 12.9% in April...

The visit by a group of experts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in July 2024 has a lot of people worrying about just what they will have to say about the proposed tax reform legislation that the Abinader administration has declared as a priority for this year.

The IMF mission will look at such things as tax incentives given to businesses established in the industrial free zones, the special treatment given to couriers that bring in packages from overseas, as well as public spending by the government.

Tax evasion is also a topic at the top of the IMF agenda. Certainly the value added tax, called the ITBIS, will be inspected and recommendations made. The Itbis is the largest contributor to the government coffers, however, with upwards of 30% of the tax revenues. Nevertheless, recent closures of dozens of businesses for evading payment of this tax...

President Luis Abinader has sent a modification that he feels is necessary to the People Trafficking Law 137-03. The amendment to Article 3 simply says “to strengthen the ability of the state to protect, boys, girls and adolescents that are victims of this degrading practice.”

Article 3 refers to the exploitation of persons subjected to human trafficking. The penalties for this crime are prison sentences of between 15 and 20 years and fines of up to 175 minimum wages.

The President’s modification to this article goes on to say that any consent given by a victim of human trafficking will not constitute a cause for exoneration for this crime. The suggested modification goes on to explain that when the human trafficking involves children or adolescents, none of the usual methods of coercion or payments are valid in any way.

The President simply stated in his preface to...

The new Senate that begins its four-year term on 16 August 2024 will have the task of voting to choose new members or confirm the present members of the Central Electoral Board. The current members of the JCE were chosen in the Senate vote on 4 November 2020.

With the declaration of the winners of the presidential and congressional elections last May, the Central Electoral Board (JCE) and its plenary members have completed the task of organizing the 2024 presidential, legislative and municipal elections.

Overall, the perception is that the JCE rose to the challenges and were successful in the organization of the elections in 2024.

The current JCE plenary is made up by presiding member Román Jáquez Liranzo and the other members Rafael Armando Vallejo Santelises, Dolores Altagracia Fernández, Patricia Lorenzo and Sami Rafael Chami Isa could be confirmed for...

Regarded as one of the most respected and hardworking legislators during the 2020-2024 term of Congress, young lawyer Jose Horacio Rodriguez was beaten by the system and left out. He failed to make the cut under the D’Hondt vote allocation method that leaves little room for minority parties. Jose Horacio Rodriguez ran for the Opción Democrática party. His sister, Virginia Antares Rodriguez was the party’s presidential candidate.

Into the 2024 legislator election, Jose Horacio Rodriguez backed the candidates of the Rescate RD alliance that called for joint candidacies amongst the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) and the Fuerza del Pueblo (FP). Rodriguez said he backed the alliance to avoid what eventually happened that the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) dominate in the 2024-2028 Congress. But Rodriguez’s backing of the alliance did not deliver votes for him...

Dominican Republic-raised, Éléonore Caroit is an experienced French politician with deep ties to Latin America and the Caribbean who is seeking re-election as a deputy representing French citizens in that region in the newly called 2024 French legislative election this 29 June (first round). She was born in Paris but came with her family to live in Santo Domingo when she was one year old.

She represents the centrist alliance of the French President Emmanuel Macron.

Caroit was first elected to represent the 2nd constituency for French citizens abroad in the 2022 legislative election, receiving 57.42% of the vote in the second round. She ran again in 2023, winning with 62.44%.

Caroit is the vice-president of the Foreign Affairs Commission in the French National Assembly, representing the 2nd constituency for French citizens living in Latin America and the...

The term “cesantia” is, in the context of Dominican labor laws, one of the thorniest issues on the table every time that new talks regarding wage increases are undertaken. The word literally translates to “end to employment” but in the Dominican context, it is much more. In reality, it means a payment to a worker who is being fired, dismissed, or even retired. It consists, in the simplest of terms, of one month’s salary for every year or part of a year of employment.

A five-year worker would receive five months of his salary, plus two weeks of salary, upon dismissal.

Of course, management wants to get rid of this sort of compensation, but the Dominican Republic has no unemployment insurance as yet. The payment also compensates for the ridiculously low pension plan retirement levels in place in the Dominican Republic. For many, the severance payments are their real retirement...

The heavy rains that have fallen so far this year have produced an outbreak of leptospirosis, a treatable disease caused by infected urine from rodents and other animals that is carried by flood waters or food contaminated with the toxic urine. Any open wound can be infected as it comes into contact with the dirty water and the infection can lead to meningitis and even death.

So far this year, 24 persons have died in the Dominican Republic from infections resulting from leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is not contagious from person to person. This year’s rains have produced a 41% increase in leptospirosis cases compared to 2023.

Dengue, spread by mosquitos, has also been deadly in the country with eight deaths reported so far this year. There have been nearly 7,800 cases of dengue, but only 276 cases of leptospirosis, so the mortality rate for the latter is much higher.

Worldwide...

Working with Rehabilitacion, the leading Dominican rehab center, the Humanitarian Medical Mission, IMAhelps will be in the Dominican Republic to to perform operations to connect 10 functional prothesis with robotic technology to children.

The candidates are children up to 18 years that have suffered amputations of arms under the elbow. The physicians will be available nationwide at 35 centers to assess the possible candidates for the prosthesis through 5 July 2024. For more information, call 809 685-7151, ext 1155.

The IMAHelps medical mission team will perform medical examinations and provide treatment for impoverished patients, including life-changing surgeries. The effort involves the University of California at Irvine and student robotics team ambassadors from the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, Ohio who are designing and fabricating mechanical arms...

Ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) deputy Rosa Amalia Pilarte was recently sentenced to five years in jail and the confiscation of several properties after the Supreme Court of Justice judges determined she could not show the legitimate source of these and several bank accounts with large balances in her name.

In her case, the Supreme Court of Justice judges determined she had strong ties to the drug trafficking activities of other members of her family, including her husband, sons and sister, whose cases are being held in the ordinary court jurisdiction.

Yet, the reality is that if the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) does not act to remove her from her duties at the Chamber of Deputies, she will continue to hold her parliamentary immunity until her term expires on 16 August 2024, and stay out of jail, as reported in Noticias SIN.

Rosa Amalia Pilarte...

The Dominican Republic’s Under-17 Women’s Youth National Team will face Ecuador, New Zealand, Nigeria in Group A at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup that will take place at two stadiums in the Dominican Republic from 16 October to 3 November 2024. The final draw took place at the Fray Anton de Montesinos Monument in Santo Domingo on 22 June 2024. Vice President Raquel Peña and capital city mayor Carolina Mejia were present.

Santo Domingo will host several of the games and the finals of the event in the Felix Sanchez Stadium of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center. Other games will be played at the Cibao FC stadium in Santiago, less than two hours north from the capital city.

This will be the Dominican Republic’s first appearance at a FIFA women’s world cup, and it comes at a time when the national football scene is on a high. The nation was represented at the FIFA U-20 World...

The present National Meteorological Office (Onamet) is upgraded in government status and now will be the independent Meteorological Institute (Indomet). Onamet had operated as a Ministry of Public Works department. The bill that just recently passed in the Senate now returns to the Executive Branch for the signature of President Luis Abinader and its publishing.

On 19 June 2024, the Senate voted yes to the bill received from the Chamber of Deputies that will create the Dominican Meteorological Institute (Indomet). The agency now will be part of the Ministry of Environment and will replace Onamet.

The bill was approved with 19 votes in favor and five against. It had already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies and will now go to the Executive Branch for promulgation by President Luis Abinader.

The present budget allocated to Onamet will be strengthened for the new Indomet...

Good news. Remittances received in the Dominican Republic continue at record highs. Remittances are practically donations that stimulate the economy. The BCRD highlights the importance of these remittances, which have a multiplier effect on consumption, investment, and financing for the most vulnerable sectors of the economy.

The Central Bank (BCRD) reports that from January to May 2024, remittances reached US$4.38 billion, a 5% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This growth trend continues the pattern observed throughout 2023. In May alone, remittances were US$887.1 million, surpassing the same month in 2023 by 0.7%.

The Central Banks says the US economic performance is the key factor driving remittance growth. 87.3% of formal remittances in May originated from the United States, or US$713.8 million. The US unemployment rate has remained at a low 4% in May, despite a slight increase...

The Dominican Airport Department (DA) reports that the El Granero del Sur Domestic Airport in San Juan de la Maguana province is progressing according to schedule. DA director Víctor Pichardo explains the airport is vital for the economic development of the entire southwestern region.

During a recent inspection tour, Pichardo observed the progress of work on the airfield, including the runway, aircraft parking apron, taxiway, and runway safety areas, as well as the area where the terminal building and the Dominican Republic Air Force barracks will be built.

In addition, he verified the actions being carried out by the Dominican Hydraulic Resources Institute (INDHRI) to relocate existing irrigation canals that are located within the airport grounds.

“Progress has been made as planned,” Pichardo explained. “We can see that in this first stage of the...

National District prosecutors Minerva Batista and Carmen Espinal Geo have deposited a recourse that accuses 27-year old Venezuelan Scarlet Valentina Mujica Zapata of involuntary murder of 33-year old Julio César de la Rosa Peralta on the western side of the Malecon due to fearless or careless driving. She is also accused of evading her responsibility as a driver in the case of an accident. The hearing is set for Thursday, 20 June 2024.

The prosecutors are requesting preventive custody arguing the woman is a foreigner and could flee the country to avoid prosecution.

The woman is under arrest at the Casa del Conductor.

Mujica Zapata does not have legal status in the Dominican Republic and her Venezuelan passport has been expired for two years, as reported. She has a Venezuelan driver’s license. She did not report the accident to the authorities at...

The Caribbean Baseball Season brings together the best of the winter baseball leagues playing in the Caribbean. Now for the 2025 Caribbean Series, the tournament that ends with a playoff series among the best teams, Japan will be sending a representation. Baseball is a popular sport in Japan. The 2025 Caribbean Series is scheduled to take place in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.

Japan is not any invited team. Japan has won the World Baseball Classic (WBC) three times in 2006, 2009 and 2023. The WBC is the main international baseball championship.

Now in what is described as an effort to promote growth and innovation, the Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation (CBPC) has announced the inclusion of Japan’s Japan Breeze team as an invited participant in the upcoming 2025 Caribbean Series, set for the Nido de Aguilas Stadium in Mexicali, Mexico...

The Dominican Republic joins France to celebrate the annual Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day. This is the 20th anniversary of Fete de la Musique and events are happening from 19 to 28 June 2024.

Kicking off the festivities in the capital city, the Fête de la Musique Infantil y Juvenil (Children’s and Youth’s Music Festival) will take center stage on 22 June at the Plaza de la Cultura from 10am onwards. This special event is designed to ignite a passion for music among the younger generation, with musical storytelling, rap writing workshops, live concerts, film screenings, interactive instrument exploration, dance performances, and much more.

As the day progresses, the grand Fête de la Musique will commence at 5pm, marked by a captivating Flash Mob inspired by “La Danse des Jeux,” a choreography created by renowned choreographer Mourad Merzouki...

In a move to drive economic growth and development, President Luis Abinader issued Decree No. 337-24 on Monday, 17 June 2024. The decree establishes the “Meta RD 2036” Presidential Committee as a task force assigned to identify the necessary actions and reforms to double the real GDP of the Dominican Republic by the year 2036.

President Luis Abinader has set the bar high for Dominicans. He sees the DR could achieve full development by 2036 if the right steps are taken.

President Luis Abinader had announced during his Monday, 17 June 2024 press conference that he was setting the high goal of the country reaching developed country status in 12 years.

The Meta RD 2036 committee is chaired by the Ministry of the Presidency and includes the National Competitiveness Council as the secretary, as well as the Ministry of Economy.

The key goals include reducing...

In a significant move to bolster financial sector knowledge and expertise among the general public in the Dominican Republic, the Superintendency of Banks (SB) unveiled its Escuela SB (SB School) on Monday, 17 June 2024. The initiative is open to professionals, government officials and practically anyone with an interest in the covered topics.

The Superintendence of Banks invited representatives from 10 countries and other Dominican government institutions, including the Central Bank and the superintendences of Pensions, Securities, and Insurance to the launch of the new facilities. Free of charge classes are available in person and online. Terry Bennett Muckleroy, in charge of international training and technical assistance in the supervision and regulation division of the US Federal Reserve, came for the launch.

Superintendent of Banks...

The Attorney General National District’s Permanent Attention Services Office issued a three-month pre-trial detention order at Najayo jail as a coercive measure against Jorge Luis Estrella Arias and Eddy Enmanuel Segura Arias in response to the request from the prosecutors.

Defendant Alberto Ezequiel Estrella Arias was granted a bail bond of RD$500,000 under contract and a ban on leaving the country as a coercive measure.

Jorge Luis Estrella Arias, Eddy Enmanuel Segura Arias, and Alberto Ezequiel Estrella Arias are accused of the robbery of the Banco Popular Dominicano branch located on Avenida Luperón, corner Olof Palme.

According to the files presented by the Department of Investigation of Crimes and Property Crimes (Theft), the defendants Jorge Luis Estrella Arias, Eddy Enmanuel Segura Arias, and Alberto Ezequiel Segura Arias partnered with the deceased...

A 27-year old Venezuelan, Scarlet Valentina Mujica Zapata is the main suspect in the death of 33-year old Julio Cesar de la Rosa Peralta. Preliminary reports is that it was a hit and run accident. She was arrested on Tuesday and is kept at the Fiscalía Especial de Tránsito del Distrito Nacional de la Digesett as she awaits charges.

De la Rosa Peralta was the son of Julio Cesar de la Rosa Tiburcio, of the Dominican Anti-Corruption Alliance (Adocco). De la Rosa Tiburcio reported his son missing on the next morning. The family had been together in San Cristobal on Saturday but then lost contact with the deceased to learn latter he had died.

A surveillance camera review led the Police to the vehicle that was driven by the Venezuelan woman. The Police officers followed the trace of the vehicle after the incident to a parking area next door to where the suspect...

The ban on consumption of alcoholic beverages, vapes and hookahs in parks and plazas in Higuey by the Higüey City Hall is a trending topic. The controversy is whether Higuey Mayor Karina Aristy has the legal right to ban the consumption.

Aristy issued the notice on the Higuey City social media. The measure would be in effect immediately, that is on Monday, 17 June 2024.

Higüey authorities explained that this decision seeks to promote healthy habits and ensure a family environment in the public spaces of the city.

The statement highlights that the ban is based on Article 27 of Law 175-07 on Municipal and Municipal Districts, which empowers municipalities to regulate the use of public spaces.

The city hall warns that those who violate the ban will be subject to the sanctions established in the municipal regulations. The sanctions are not listed.

For centuries...

President Luis Abinader congratulated Al Horford on his winning the NBA Final on 17 June 2024. He called Al Horford who shared the call with his wife, fellow Dominican Amelia Vega (2003 Miss Universe).

“Al Horford has made history as the first Dominican to win an NBA Finals series, he has done so with the Celtics, champions of the 2023-2024 season,” President Luis Abinader wrote on X. “What great pride for our country! Congratulations on your incredible achievement.”

Read more in Spanish:

• N Digital

The story of Dominicans in the National Basketball Association (NBA) league began when Tito Horford was drafted in 1988 and has its latest chapter now that his son Al Horford won a NBA Final on 17 June 2024.

Alfredo William Horford (Tito Horford) is in sports history books as the first Dominican to play in the NBA. Born in La Romana on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, he moved to Texas for high school to pursue a basketball career. He played college basketball at Louisiana State University and the University of Miami before being recruited by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round (39th overall) of the 1988 NBA draft. He played two seasons with the Bucks (1988-1990) and a short stint with the Washington Bullets in 1993-1994. He also played professionally in Spain in 1992. He played on the Dominican national team and represented the country in...