DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

President Luis Abinader and New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a landmark agreement Tuesday, 11 November 2025, a press release from the Dominican Presidency announced. A Declaration of Intent was signed to strengthen the cultural, social, and economic bonds between the two governments. The pact establishes new areas of cooperation focusing on disaster preparedness, agricultural innovation, and economic development, aiming to spur sustainable and mutually beneficial growth.

The Declaration of Intent was formally signed by Governor Hochul and Foreign Relations Minister Roberto Álvarez, with President Abinader serving as a witness.

A core component of the agreement is the establishment of a collaborative partnership for the exchange of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions to enhance disaster preparedness planning, emergency...

The National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) met to study the profiles of aspirants to positions open in the Supreme Court of Justice and the Superior Electoral Court. President Luis Abinader convened the CNM to fill the judge openings from the 21 pre-selected aspirants.

President Luis Abinader presided over the five-minute presentations by the candidates. The members of the National Council of Magistracy had the right to ask questions for a 15-minute period. The videos of the participations were streamed online and can be seen in the link below.

Aspirants for the Supreme Court of Justice are:Edynson Francisco Alarcón Polanco SCJMiguelina de Jesús Beard Gómez SCJJulio César Emilio Canó Alfau SCJFranklin Emilio Concepción Acosta SCJKarina Concepción Medina SCJYlona María De la Rocha Camilo SCJMatías Modesto Del Rosario Romero SCJCatalina Ferrera Cuevas SCJ

Aspirants for...

The Ministry of Education (MINERD) officially launched the “Agentes al 100” (Agents at 100) youth volunteer program on Tuesday, 11 November 2025. Spearheaded by Minister of Education Luis Miguel De Camps, the initiative aims to fortify values education, boost student participation, and cultivate a new generation of young people committed to national development.

The launch event took place at the Profesor Germán Martínez High School in the Los Ríos sector in northern Santo Domingo. “Agentes al 100” serves as the operational arm of the broader “Ciudadanos al 100” (Citizens at 100) program, which is dedicated to promoting the common good, democracy, and values essential for national coexistence and progress.

Values in actionIn his address, Minister De Camps emphasized that “Agentes al 100” is a “living expression of the competency-based curriculum,” where learning transforms into...

The Dominican Republic received the highest ratings in the recently published Florida International University Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom 2025 Latin America Country Risk Index and Analysis. The second edition of the comprehensive study analyzes the key political, economic, social, and international risks in 12 Latin American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru. This year’s study introduces the Trust-O-Meter, a diagnostic tool measuring confidence in political leaders and institutions throughout the region.

The analysis features data compiled as recently as November 2025.

Many respondents reported the belief that economic resurgence hinges on implementing necessary reforms in a polarized political environment, reducing bureaucratic obstacles, and...

Tourism Minister David Collado, has assured local entrepreneurs and residents that the historic Colonial City will experience no street closures during the crucial month of December, allowing businesses to maximize sales during the peak holiday season, as reported in Diario Libre.

The announcement came on Friday, 7 November 2025 during the official inauguration of 11 newly renovated streets, part of a major reconstruction and revitalization project in the capital’s historic district. The minister emphasized that keeping the thoroughfares open is a measure to support local commerce, which was impacted by the recent construction work.

“There will be no closed streets during December,” Collado stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring the most important sales season of the year is uninterrupted for local businesses and entrepreneurs.

The handover of...

President Luis Abinader was in Punta Cana on 10 November 2025 to offer support to the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event 2025 (ICAN2025). The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that sets international standards for civil aviation.

The organization meets to discuss regional air policies for better connectivity and liberalize regional air agreements.

Abinader announced that the assembly general of the Comision Latinoamericana de Aviacion Civil (CLAC) held concurrently named the Dominican Republic to preside the organization for the next two years.

President Abinader announced during his weekly press conference held in Punta Cana that the DR had just signed during the event new agreements with Greece, Sultanate Oman, Paraguay, El Salvador and Greece and 18 bilateral updates.

Follow the...

The Ministry of Tourism has hit it big at the World Travel Market 2025, held 3-5 November 2025, in London, England. The Dominican presence was awarded the prize for the Best Stand Feature.

According to the press release, the outstanding feature of the Dominican stand was its ”very captivating interactive features.” The judges said that they could have stayed at the Dominican stand “for hours” because of the marvelous video.

Minister of Tourism David Collado was pleased to receive the prize, saying: “Winning this prize is a great achievement for the Dominican Republic.”

The stand included, besides the very attractive video, taste testing of true Dominican cuisine, and dance presentations. Above all, the focus was on stressing the innate hospitality of the country.

Between January and September 2025, the Dominican Republic welcomed 151,333 British tourists — a 3.2%...

Dominicans love Christmas. It is synonymous with family and friends gathering. Dominicans take Christmas seriously, and there is much decorating. Christmas time this year calls for an extended holiday season.

Christmas Day falls on 25 December, a Thursday, and is the official holiday, but most offices will close on Wednesday, 24 December, the traditional day for the gathering of family and friends. The partying and vacation time, for those who can, will then start on 24 December, and continue over the weekend on Thursday, 25 December, Friday, 26 December, Saturday, 27 December and Sunday, 28 December.

The extended long weekend happens again for the New Year holiday. People get to work on Monday, 29 December and Tuesday, 30 December, before party time for 31 December and 1 January 2026.

Add to that taking off time for the 6 January, Three Kings Day that falls on a...

The Dominican Armada was prompt to provide support for the rescue of 55 Mein Schiff 1 cruise ship passengers who were on board an failed excursion in Samana Bay. The catamaran took water and the boat capsized.

The media reported on how the rescue services were prompt and those on that excursion were soon back on board to tell the story about the Samana excursion they will never forget.

All the tourists were in lifejackets as they waited in the Samana waters to be rescued.

From Samana, the cruise ship traveled to the port of La Romana for more excursions. The Mein Schiff 1 has a maximum passenger capacity of 2,894, based on its 1,447 cabins. It can accommodate this number with a crew of around 1,000.

The five-year delay in fully commissioning Haiti’s TVB Port-au-Prince Terminal, a US$60 million international-standard port facility, is a critical warning for the entire island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti), underscoring how anti-competitive practices and government inaction in one nation can undermine the shared goal of creating strong, cost-effective, and resilient logistics and cargo chains vital for regional and island economic growth and attracting foreign direct investment.

The high maritime costs in Haiti especially affect low-income consumers in Haiti yet the impact is felt on the entire island as Haitians migrate to the Dominican Republic seeking lower cost of living. Increased competition from a fully operational TVB is seen as a way to drive down costs in Haiti, benefiting consumers and motivating new investments on both sides of the island of...

President Luis Abinader announced on Monday, 10 November 2025 that he will inaugurate a massive new logistics hub at Punta Cana International Airport this Wednesday, a project poised to significantly bolster the nation’s competitiveness and cement its status as the predominant logistics center of the Caribbean and Latin America.

The President made the declaration during his weekly press engagement, “LA Semanal con la Prensa,” held this week in Punta Cana, La Altagracia province.

When questioned about the impact of recent sector investments, Abinader underscored the importance of the new facility, stating, “We are already a great logistics hub. Next Wednesday (12 November), we will inaugurate the Punta Cana airport logistics hub, which will be of great importance.”

The President emphasized that the new infrastructure complements other strategic national projects, such as...

New York state governor, Kathy Hochul was hosted on Monday, 10 November 2025 in Santiago de los Caballeros, by Santiago city mayor Ulises Rodriguez. She was formally received as a “distinguished visitor.”

Hochul landed at the Cibao International Airport with a delegation of New York legislators and city officials. She came with her husband.

At the airport she was also received by Dominican consul in New York Jesus Vasquez Martinez, Santiago provincial governor Rosa Santos, and business people Felix Garcia and Jose Clase.

She was first taken to the iconic Monumento a los Heroes de la Restauracion. She was immediately taken to the fifth floor of the monument for a panoramic view of the city.

She also participated in the Son de Keka, a traditional Sunday activity with Son music and grassroots music.

She received the keys to the city from the Santiago Mayor.

She made trip accompanied by Dominican-born New York representative Adriano Espaillat, New York City...

In a major ceremony, President Luis Abinader spoke of the heroic sacrifices Juan Rodriguez Garcia made and called the placement of his remains in the National Pantheon “historic justice.”

Rodriguez, known as Juancito to just about everyone, was a very successful farmer and rancher during the 1930s and 1940s, tending large areas of plaintain and cattle farms. He was considered to be one of the wealthiest persons in the Dominican Republic.

He gave up everything, including the loss of one of his children to the cause of ridding the republic of the Trujillo dictatorship.

As a result of his resistance to the Trujillo dictatorship, Juancito Rodriguez, a man who had served as a deputy and a senator in the Dominican Congress, was forced into exile and so dedicated his fortune to the defeat of Trujillo.

He financed small invasions which were rapidly cut down by the...

Antonio and Maribel Espaillat / Noticias SIN

Seven months after the tragic collapse of the roof of the Jet Set Nightclub, that caused the death of at least 236 persons attending a Rubby Perez concert on 8 April 2025, the prosecutors from the Justice Department have sent the case to court.

The action opens the legal procedures for the charges against the owners of the club, Antonio and Maribel Espaillat. They are charged with involuntary homicide and involuntary injuries. The maximum jail sentence for the charge is two years in jail, according to Dominican law.

According to the investigation carried out by the prosecutors, the case is built on hundreds of pieces of evidence that point to the criminal responsibility of the defendants.

The Attorney General Office press release says that the accused worsened their liability by overloading the building’s roof structure with...

Bereniece Dickenson, Jennifer Ventura and Yamimlex Hernández / dr1

Dominicans hope to celebrate if any one of three Dominican-born candidates gets the 74th crown of the Miss Universe beauty pageant. This Miss Universe 2025 features three Dominican title contenders.

The winner will be announced during the Friday, 21 November 2025 gala to be held at the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand. Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark will crown her successor.

The Miss Dominican Republic candidate is Jennifer Ventura, a civil engineer from Barahona in the Southwest. Yet, another Dominican-born candidate, 29-year old Yamilex Hernandez is participating, representing Latin Americans in the United States. Her sash reads Miss Latina. This is the first time that a regional candidate is allowed.

A third Dominican-born candidate is competing...

Imagine Sting singing in Spanish with Juan Luis Guerra? It has been released for public enjoyment. Two of the most famous musicians of the 20th and 21st centuries got together to sing a song in the native language of Guerra. Posted recently on YouTube, the video has more than 1.3 million views and 85,000 ‘likes.’

The bachata mixed with bolero song is a track from an album made by Juan Luis Guerra 35 years ago, called Bachata Rosa — Estrellitas and Duendes (Little Stars and Fairies). Back then it quickly became an international hit for Guerra and is considered one of his most emblematic songs.

The duet with music world powerhouse Sting was orchestrated by Sting’s manager Martin Kierszenbaum and Cherrytree Music Company. Sting told Billboard that Kierszenbaum, who is a Spanish-speaker “and, like me, a big admirer of Juan Luis’ compositions,” was who encouraged him to...

After a dismal 2024-2025 season, the Santiago-based Aguilas Cibaeñas have been keeping themselves on top of the standings and were the first to win 10 games in the 2025-2026 Winter Professional Baseball Championship. Following closely in the standings are the San Pedro de Macoris-based Estrellas Orientales and the Toros del Este of La Romana. The capital city teams, Leones del Escogido and Tigres del Licey, are in 4th and 5th place in the standings. The San Francisco de Macoris-based team, Gigantes del Cibao is at the bottom of the standings.

Follow the 2025-2026 Winter Professional Baseball Championship Lidom Listin Diario

11 November 2025

José Ramírez and Juan Soto / El Caribe

Four Dominican Major League Baseball players, Juan Soto, Gerardo Perdomo, Manny Machado, and Ketel Marte have won Silver Slugger Awards for their performance in the National League’s 2025 season. In the American League, the only Dominican to win the award was Cleveland’s José Ramirez.

Still, Jose Ramirez and Juan Soto are candidates for the Most Valuable Player Award that will be announced on Thursday, 13 November 2025.

The finalists for MVP in the National League are:Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles DodgersKyle Schwarber, Philadelphia PhilliesJuan Soto, New York Mets

The finalists for MVP in the American League are:Aaron Judge, New York YankeesCal Raleigh, Seattle MarinersJose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

Read...

After the hot summer months, fall is bringing some relatively chilly weather as cold weather systems move south to the Caribbean. The forecast is for morning lows of 21C for most of the country and 13/15C regularly in Constanza.

The Weather Institute (Indomet) reports mostly sunny skies and some scattered showers for Tuesday, 11 November 2025. This is news because the norm has been rainy days for weeks.

Jean Suriel reports that for those who like the cold, they can find it in Constanza, where temperatures below 0°C are forecast to happen in Valle Nuevo, in the La Vega province mountain chain. The weather will be chilly in Jarabacoa, the vacation location in La Vega province.

Read More:

• CDN Jean Suriel
• Indomet

Constitution Day in 2025 falls on Thursday, 6 November 2025, and because it falls on a Thursday, the Ministry of Labor has moved the holiday that will continue to be celebrated on Monday, 10 November. This creates a very long weekend for those who can take the extra days off.

DR1 Daily News that would have been updated for the Monday, 10 November issue will be compiled for the Tuesday, 12 November edition. DR1 Forums are open 24/7 for posting comments and news.

For those who can, enjoy the extra days off!

Read More:

• Dr1.com

Public Holidays Law No. 139-97 mandates that certain public holidays that fall on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday be moved to the preceding Monday to create a long weekend.

The Ministry of Labor released on 5 November 2025 the official list of holidays for 2026.

These are:January 1 (Thursday) New Year’s Day.January 6 (Tuesday) Epiphany Day). The day off is the previous 5 January, a Monday.January 21 (Wednesday) Our Lady of Altagracia. It is a religious holiday and is not moved.January 26 (Monday). Birth of founding father Juan Pablo Duarte. It is not moved.

February 27 (Friday). National Independence Day.

April 3 (Friday). Good Friday. Roman Catholic Church religious holiday.

May 1 (Friday). Labor Day. Moved to Monday, 4 May.

June 4 (Thursday). Corpus Christi. Roman Catholic. Church religious holiday.

August 16 (Sunday). Restoration Day...

President Luis Abinader announced a massive state contribution of RD$12 billion (approximately US$205 million) to assist communities, farmers, and businesses severely impacted by Tropical Storm Melissa in October 2025.

The funding aims not only to provide immediate relief but also to reactivate the economy and restore critical infrastructure across affected regions, fulfilling the government’s pledge to deliver timely and efficient aid.

The announcement followed a high-level monitoring meeting with Vice President Raquel Peña, ministers, directors, and mayors.

The comprehensive aid package includes several significant financial allocations:• Agricultural sector: A substantial injection of RD$2 billion will be directed to the Agricultural Bank (Banco Agrícola). This capital will provide financing facilities for affected producers...

A large water storage tank belonging to the National Institute of Potable Water and Sewage (Inapa) collapsed early Wednesday morning, 5 November 2025 in the La Mina community of Consuelo municipality, injuring five residents and cutting off water service to at least 12 nearby areas, Noticias SIN reports.

The accident, which occurred around 7:50am while residents were starting their daily routines, sent a torrent of water and debris crashing onto surrounding homes and streets. Local officials confirmed that the collapse happened despite repeated pleas and warnings from the community to INAPA authorities regarding the tank’s dangerous, long-term deterioration.

Witnesses and community leaders reported that the water tank had been problematic for over a year, suffering from constant, unresolved leaks that were consistently reported to Inapa.

The...

Following remarks that 58-year old President Luis Abinader maintains a rigorous pace, logging over 300 official activities a year with virtually no days off, a leading internist has weighed in on the potential health risks associated with such a demanding lifestyle, N Digital reports. President Abinader is not known to have ever taken even a week off from his taxing schedule since his government began on 16 August 2020.

Dr. Jorge Luis Vólquez, an internist at the Padre Billini Teaching Hospital and president of the Dominican Society of Internal Medicine (SMIRD), explained the possible effects of a high-workload schedule, though he was quick to assure that there is “no cause for concern” regarding the President’s current health, as reported in N Digital.

The specialist indicated that an individual with an intense schedule who fails to plan for...

A national earthquake evacuation drill, mandated by President Luis Abinader and organized by the Center for Emergency Operations (COE) in coordination with the the National Office of Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (Onesvie), along with other national emergency agencies to prepare the public for potential natural disasters, saw widespread participation and notable success, including a record evacuation time at a major government building.

The drill, the fifth annual exercise directed by the COE, commenced shortly after 9:50am on Wednesday, 5 November 2025.

As reported, the effort went successfully. As a sample, the government office building “Juan Pablo Duarte,” commonly known as El Huacal, achieved a remarkable feat, completing its full evacuation in a record time of just 13 minutes. The 14-story structure accommodates over...

Ambassador Leah Francis Campos and Minister Roberto Alvarez / MIREX

Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez officially received the copies of the Letters of Credence from the newly designated United States ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Leah Francis Campos, on Wednesday, 5 November 2025 at the Ministry of Foreign Relations. headquarters.

Following the receipt of the official document, Minister Álvarez extended a warm welcome to the new diplomat. The two officials then engaged in a discussion on topics of mutual interest to both nations.

The Ministry of Foreign Relations explains that Campos brings extensive experience to the post. Prior to her nomination, she served as a senior strategic advisor for the SAS Institute in Arlington, Virginia, a US data analytics company. Her career also includes time in the public sector as a senior advisor to the House of...

The abrupt cancellation of the Summit of the Americas, a mere 29 days before its scheduled opening, has effectively rendered years of meticulous preparation and significant financial investment obsolete, an editorial El Caribe sent to its readers observes.

Since July 2022, over three years of intensive planning have gone into organizing the event. This includes the payment of US$500,000 to the Organization of American States (OAS) for the hosting rights. Suspending the summit at this late stage translates into a massive waste of both funds and thousands of man-hour, an editorial in El Caribe newsletter sent out on 5 November 2025.

The human and material resources poured into this effort are almost incalculable, remarks the media.

Consequently, El Caribe says it is trivial to spend time musing over where the 3,215 guayabera-style shirts commissioned by the Foreign...

The Senate of the Dominican Republic is facing intense scrutiny over its decision to acquire and place RD$75 million (approximately US$1.3 million) in holiday bonds for distribution at their discretion. Civil society organizations argue the holiday bonds distorts the legislative function and highlights the deficiencies in public spending efficiency.

Representatives from various civil society groups have labeled the acquisition as a populist measure, insisting that such actions detract from the primary legislative and oversight roles of the National Congress.

According to the organizations consulted, both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies should refrain from activities involving the donation or distribution of resources, functions they assert fall outside the scope of their mandated responsibilities under current regulations.

Leidy Blanco, coordinator for the...

Director of INCORT, José Juan Castillo / El Dia

A severe deficit in organ donation is gripping the Dominican Republic, as health authorities appeal to the public for a cultural shift to save hundreds of lives. Currently, 530 people are on the waiting list for a kidney, yet the country’s donation rate remains critically low.

Data presented by officials from the National Institute for the Coordination of Transplants (Incort) revealed a stark reality: so far in 2025, only 49 donations have been secured, a fraction of the 200 needed to be considered acceptable. These 49 donations (10 from deceased donors and 39 from living individuals) have nonetheless made a significant impact, benefiting 345 people. A single deceased donor can donate up to eight organs, including two lungs, two kidneys, a heart, and a liver, in addition to considerable tissues.

The principal...

Edickson Herrera / Listin Diario

Edickson Herrera Silvestre (Yeyea), the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party councilor for the National District who was recently indicted in a Florida, USA court, technically keeps his position in the capital city municipality. Herrera Silverstre was in his second term as capital city alderman. He had first been elected in August 2020 and reelected in August 2024 under the same government party ticket.

A news story in Listin Diario cites a spokesperson for the city council explaining that since Herrera Silvestre is not tried on charges in the Dominican Republic and the City Council has not been officially notified that the politician admitted his participation in cocaine trafficking operations in the United States, he keeps the position even when he is not receiving the remuneration. Herrera Silvestre was temporarily replaced...

The famed Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto, affectionately known as “La Media Naranja” (The Half Orange) for its distinct roof, is set to end its extensive renovation and reopen on a grand stage: a crucial official qualifier game against the United States for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar, Diario Libre reports.

The Dominican national team will christen the newly remodeled arena on 3 July 2026, in a highly anticipated contest against Team USA, a game which falls within the FIBA window that allows for the inclusion of NBA players. For the occasion, the sports palace will be rechristened Arena Banreservas Virgilio Travieso Soto.

The opening is in time for the use of the installation for the Central American and Caribbean Sports Games to be held mostly in Santo Domingo from 24 July to 8 August 2025.

The announcement was made by Rafael Uribe...