Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (2024)

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New 2024 Constitution to be signed on Sunday, 27 October 2024

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (1)

President Luis Abinader and members of the National Congress will enact the 2024 Constitution during an event programmed to be held at the congressional headquarters on Sunday, 27 October 2024. The presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies have convened the National Constitutional Revisory Assembly to meet on Saturday and Sunday, 26 and 27 October.

President Abinader announced during his weekly La Semanal press conference on Monday, 21 October 2024 that he would be at the National Congress to sign the amendments to the Constitution that passed last week in Congress.

The National Congress has yet to release to the public the complete listing of the new amendments to the 2015 Constitution, including the transitory clauses.

The ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) had the absolute majority in both houses of Congress to pass the amendments.

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Opposition parties want new municipal election for La Vega

24 October 2024

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (2)

A coalition of opposition parties is demanding extraordinary elections be held to choose the new mayor of La Vega. La Vega was left without its mayor who had just been in office since April 2024 when President Luis Abinader named him his Minister of Sports and the deputy mayor resigned.

The new election is unlikely. An amendment was included in the 2024 Constitution that will allow the President to name the missing mayor by presidential decree.

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Abinader appoints Carlos Pimentel to head Public-Private Partnerships Agency; He stays in Procurement Agency

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (3)

President Luis Abinader has appointed Carlos Pimentel as the new executive director of the Public-Private Partnerships Agency (DGAPP) by Executive Decree No. 614-24.

Pimentel will concurrently maintain his position as the head of the Public Procurement Agency (DGCP) but will now serve in that role on an honorary basis. The consolidation of these roles aims to streamline and enhance transparency in public procurement processes, particularly those involving public-private partnerships.

Pimentel is ordered to draft a comprehensive proposal for the structural and regulatory reorganization of both the DGCP and the DGAPP must be submitted to the Executive Branch within a 12 month period. The goal of this proposal is to optimize operational and regulatory processes, aligning both institutions with the strategic objectives of the Dominican state to ensure the effectiveness, transparency...

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President Abinader appoints director for Information and Defense of Affiliates

24 October 2024 

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (4)

Elías Báez de los Santos / Noticias SIN

President Luis Abinader has issued Decree 615-24, appointing Elías Báez De Los Santos as the new director general of the Information and Defense of Affiliates Agency (DIDA), the consumer agency regarding social security benefits.

Báez De Los Santos, a lawyer and politician, previously served as a labor penal inspector and public prosecutor in the province of Santo Domingo. He was also a member of the Chamber of Deputies from 2016 to 2024.

The same decree confirms Henry Sahdalá Dumit as Treasurer of Social Security.

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Cracking down on repeat border crashers

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (5)

The Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, 23 October 2024 unanimously passed a bill that toughens penalties for human trafficking in the country. The bill had already passed in the Senate.

The new legislation imposes harsher sentences, including up to 30 years in prison, for those who traffic in minors, people with disabilities, the mentally ill, or other vulnerable individuals.

The bill, which was sent by the Senate with amendments to Law 137-03, aims to strengthen the fight against human trafficking.

This law, in effect since 2003, originally stipulated a maximum penalty of five years for this crime. However, with the new changes, more severe sanctions are included to ensure greater protection for victims and to punish perpetrators more harshly.

The modifications include expanding articles 3 and 7 and adding several paragraphs that specify the new penalties...

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36 Haitian migrants busted in Dajabón on a bus

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (6)

The Specialized Border Security Corps (Cesfront) in a joint operation with the Dominican Republic Army (ERD) apprehended 36 Haitian nationals in irregular migratory status. Of these, 32 were found traveling on a public transportation bus in Dajabón.

Intelligence units from Cesfront and the 10th Infantry Battalion, acting on a tip, detained the 32 undocumented Haitians, including 25 men and 7 women, who had entered the country through the Sabana de Los Miches sector of Dajabón.

Additionally, a Hyundai Universe bus, part of a public transportation route and driven by a man identified as Felbri Sánchez, was intercepted on the La Fe-Kilometer 4 stretch of the Manolo Aurelio Tavares Justo highway in Dajabón. The bus was subsequently transferred to the Cesfront Border Operations Base in Dajabón. Inside, authorities discovered four Haitian nationals in irregular...

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Ministry of Defense uses technology to control military from taking bribes for people smuggling

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (7)

Military personnel are being busted for human smuggling after years of the authorities looking the other way.

Three Dominican soldiers have been sentenced to three months in prison for accepting bribes to smuggle Haitian migrants into the country.

The soldiers, Hansel Pérez García, Andro Américo Medina Guzmán, and Yunior Manuel Novas Cuevas, were stationed at the La Cadena checkpoint in the Carrizal-Elías Piña section. They were caught on surveillance footage accepting payments to allow Haitian nationals with irregular immigration status to cross the border.

The military personnel will serve their sentences at the Elías Piña Correctional and Rehabilitation Center.

This is not the first time Pérez García has been involved in such activities. According to press reports, he was implicated in a similar incident last June.

In recent weeks...

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Progress made on Pedernales border fence

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (8)

Construction of the perimeter fence along the Dominican-Haitian border in Pedernales advanced, now under a new Minister of Defense. According to recent updates from the Ministry of Defense, another 3 km are about to be completed. The 3km are part of the first phase of the perimetral fence, built to bolster border control and security, is to have 52 km. Media reports indicate around 30 km will have been completed. The fence is erected in areas that are most vulnerable to crossings. The Dominican border with Haiti has around 391 km.

The Ministry of Defense says that the most recent section of over 3 km was built between Paso Sena and the municipality of Pedernales. It will end at the mouth of a local stream and the beaches bordering Haiti.

The Dominican government is investing billions into the construction of tourism facilities and hotels in Pedernales.

The...

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Congress approves US$625 million in loans

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (9)

The Chamber of Deputies approved US$625 million in loans for the Executive Branch during the session of Wednesday, 23 October 2024. The use of the funds is contemplated in the 2025 National Budget.

The funds will be allocated to various government initiatives, primarily focused on addressing climate change and improving the nation’s electrical grid.

The approved loans are:

• US$300 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): Contract No. 5806/OC-DR was signed on 12 December 2023 and will be used for the Climate Action Program for Sustainable Economic Growth.

• US$100 million from the French Development Agency (AFD): Credit agreement CDO 1107 01 k had been signed on 30 April 2024 and will provide budgetary support for the Climate Action Program for Sustainable Economic Growth.

• US$225 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and...

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License renewals discriminate those 65+

24 October 2024

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (10)

A story in Listin Diario reveals that those over 65 years in the Dominican Republic need to renew their driver’s license every two or one year. The renewals are required to ensure that the health condition of the driver is adequate. But Listin Diario reports the renewals cost the same as the four-year renewals for those under 65 years.

Listin Diario says the extra charge would be in violation of the Constitution and calls for the reduction in the cost of the renewal for the elderly.

The renewal service is a private concession.

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Business leaders alarmed over high traffic fatality rate

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (11)

Laura Peña Izquierdo, president of the Dominican Republic Employers’ Confederation (Copardom), has voiced deep concern over the nation’s alarmingly high traffic fatality rate. According to World of Statistics, the Dominican Republic ranks first globally, with a staggering 65 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.

The Dominican government has been reticent in contracting technology that would automatically penalize drivers that violate the law. About a decade ago, the government of South Korea offered a technological solution that would remove human discretion from the applying of the fines.

Peña Izquierdo is general manager of her insurance brokerage firm, Peña Izquierdo, Corredores de Seguros and a past president of the Dominican Association of Insurance Brokers.

Peña Izquierdo raised this pressing issue during the opening ceremony of Copardom’s 22nd Congress on Occupational Risk...

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Breathalyzers could be reinstated for road safety

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (12)

A pilot breathalyzer checkpoint will be implemented this Friday, 25 October 2024, from 9pm to 4am in the National District.

The National Institute of Transit and Land Transport (Intrant) and the Traffic and Land Transport Security Agency (Digesett) will once again implement the use of breathalyzers to prevent intoxicated drivers from being on the roads.

Approximately 40 Digesett agents have been trained by an international specialist in the use of Alco-Sensor VXL, Point of Arrest, and Alco-Sensor FST instruments, used to measure blood alcohol levels.

Intrant executive director, Milton Morrison, stated that the implementation of breathalyzers aims to prevent traffic accidents and save lives. Morrison added that this initiative comes at a time when meetings are being held with various stakeholders to agree on a comprehensive National Road Safety...

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Nightclubs shut down in Azua during crackdown

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (13)

Authorities in Azua province have cracked down on several late-night establishments, closing down several businesses that served alcoholic beverages. The joint operation was carried out by various law enforcement agencies, including the Ministry of Interior and Police, the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD), the National Police, and the Public Ministry. The initiative is part of the new program underway by the Ministry of Interior and Police that calls for businesses to operate with less negative impact on the peace in the community.

Among the businesses affected by the closures was D’ Peter Super Frías, owned by Santiago Sención in the municipal district of Villarpando. This establishment was temporarily shut down for violating Article 1 of Law 241-68 and Law 63-17 of the General Directorate of Traffic Safety and Land Transportation (Digesett)...

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Over 2.5 million participate in nationwide earthquake drill

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (14)

SISALRIL’s staff participating in the earthquake drill / Sisalril Official Website

The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) reported that more than 2.5 million Dominicans, most government employees, participated in a nationwide earthquake drill on Wednesday, 23 October 2024. The annual drill, now in its fourth year, is part of ongoing efforts to improve disaster preparedness. It tests emergency response protocols and evaluates the country’s readiness for a major earthquake.

“To provide a better response to a large-scale earthquake, it is essential to educate citizens from a young age on how to act in the event of such a catastrophic event,” the COE director stated. Several schools carried out the earthquake drill on that day, working with guidelines provided by the COE.

Employees from various government agencies housed in the...

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Dominican ambassador honored in Korea

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (15)

Dominican ambassador Federico Cuello Camilo received the World Citizen Award in Seoul, South Korea on occasion of the celebration of the 79th International Day of the United Nations. He received the award from Dr. Young Hoon Kwaak, who is the president of the UN Korean Association and of the World Citizen Organization (WCO).

The World Citizens Organization (WCO) is a global civil society promoting glocalization among Silk Road cities.

The dean of ambassadors in South Korea, Chafik Rachadi of Morocco also received the award.

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New UN Resident Coordinator takes office

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (16)

Julia Sánchez and Rubén Silié / N Digital

Julia Sánchez is the new United Nations Resident Coordinator for the Dominican Republic. She formally presented her credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, 23 October 2024. She is appointed as the Dominican Republic celebrates 50 years working with the United Nations Development Program.

Sánchez, a Peruvian national, was received by Deputy Minister of Multilateral Foreign Policy Rubén Silié on behalf of Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez.

“The United Nations system has been an active and very supportive companion for us,” Silié remarked. “I always say that the development and institutional modernization of the Dominican Republic owes much to the support we have received from the UN through its agencies, funds, and programs.”

For her part, Sánchez expressed her enthusiasm for taking on the role of...

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Dominicans urged to get flu shots amidst rising cases

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (17)

Dr. José Brea del Castillo / Hoy

Health officials are urging all Dominicans to get vaccinated against the influenza virus as cases continue to rise. Dr. José Brea del Castillo, president of the Dominican Society of Vaccinology, stressed the importance of vaccination, especially given the potential severity of the flu.

“The flu can be deadly,” warned Dr. Brea del Castillo. “It’s crucial to get vaccinated, especially now that we’re seeing an uptick in cases in the region, including the United States and Canada. With the influx of tourists, the risk of a local outbreak is heightened.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 10% and 15% of the population is affected by the flu each year. Complications from the flu can include pneumonia, requiring hospitalization or even intensive care.

“Even healthy individuals can experience severe symptoms,” Dr. Brea del...

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Santiago City Council accused of irregular financial practices

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (18)

City Councilor Alexander Germoso / Noticias SIN

City councilor Alexander Germoso has accused the Santiago City Council of skipping the rules when approving financial transactions during a regular session on Tuesday, 22 October 2024, as reported in Noticias SIN.

Germoso, a member of the Opción Democrática party, denounced that the city council that is dominated by the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) and its allies, had approved a RD$100 million investment certificate without the necessary technical and feasibility assessments from the city’s financial manager or comptroller, nor the approval of the Municipal Monitoring Committee.

The councilor further asserted that the Santiago City Council had irregularly approved a financing agreement with the National Council for the Promotion and Support of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (Promipyme). This...

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Heavy rains impact Santiago

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (19)

A baseball game between the Aguilas Cibaeñas and the Estrellas Orientales had to be suspended in Santiago, after heavy rains caused flooding in the Cibao Ballpark.

The National Weather Institute (Indomet) reports that a pre-frontal trough positioned over the country, combined with a tropical wave moving south of the Dominican Republic, is generating cloud formations that will produce light to moderate rainfall, with occasional thunderstorms, in coastal and northeastern areas from early morning. Provinces such as La Altagracia, La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, the National District, San Cristóbal, Barahona, Hato Mayor, and Duarte are expected to experience these weather conditions.

As the day progresses, these showers will extend inland, bringing moderate to heavy downpours, accompanied by lightning and strong winds, to the northern, northwestern, and border...

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European Film Festival at the Museum of Dominican Man

24 October 2024

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (20)

The European Union delegation in the Dominican Republic presents its European Film Festival from 25 October to 3 November 2024. Films are shown at the Museum of Dominican Man and on 26 October at the Fortaleza Ozama in the Colonial city.

Among the films are: Ramona, Interdit, Io Sto Bene, Marathon, Talking about the Weather, Karaoke, Primadonna, Grandpa’s Demons.

The shows will be at 4 and 7pm on Sunday and at 7pm on the other days. Admission is free.

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Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez criticizes call to halt repatriations of undocumented Haitians

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (21)

Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez condemned as “foolish” the request for the Dominican government to cease repatriations of undocumented Haitians amid rising insecurity in Haiti, highlighted by a recent massacre of over 115 individuals in Pont-Sondé in the capital city.

He mentioned that control of gangs in Haiti is on the rise and has increased to 85% of the capital city. He emphasized the potential risks of this violence spilling over into the Dominican Republic. He said that security is first in the interest of the Dominican Republic at a time when there is a situation of “unstopping massive flow” of migrants from Haiti. He said there is the concern that the criminal organizations would cross to our side of the border.

Speaking at a quarterly meeting focused on the Haitian crisis, Álvarez stated: “The Dominican government cannot accept this reckless call to halt...

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Migration and Army work to crack down on people smuggling

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (22)

The director general of the Migration Agency (DGM), Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester, has acknowledged that the illegal entry of Haitians into Dominican territory is fueled by a lucrative business involving various sectors, Diario Libre reports.

During a visit on 22 October 2024 to the border provinces of Elías Piña and Dajabón on Tuesday, Lee Ballester condemned those who traffic in undocumented migrants, describing their actions as a betrayal of the nation.

“We can’t just point the finger at the military,” the visibly upset official stated. “There are other players involved who are profiting from this situation. There are recruiters, vehicles, transportation, lodging, and even motorcycle taxis. Many people in these areas are involved in this activity,” he said as reported in Diario Libre.

The Vice Admiral called for a collective effort to...

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Business leaders urge solutions to undocumented workforce

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (23)

The people smuggling networks respond to the demand for the service. Haitians cross the border given the insecurity, lack of jobs and social services in Haiti. In the DR, they find work and bring their families, where these receive medical and education services for free. The networks help the undocumented migrants to bypass the law.

Business leaders have put forth a series of proposals aimed at improving the hiring process for foreign workers and enhancing cross-border trade between the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Among the suggestions are the establishment of clear protocols for hiring foreign labor, the implementation of biometric systems to ensure the safe entry of workers, and the strict enforcement of the Foreigner’s Border Resident Card as stipulated by Migration Law 285-04.

Additionally, business leaders have called for the reactivation of the Dominican-Haitian...

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Wilfredo Lozano urges Haitians to take responsibility for migration

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (24)

In a rare interview, Wilfredo Lozano, director of the National Migration Institute, has called on Haitians to stop playing the victim in the ongoing migration crisis and to start taking responsibility for their actions. Lozano argued that a more proactive approach is needed from Haitians themselves. The Haitian government has demanded the Dominican government put a stop to deportations that have been resumed as the situation in Haiti has been worsening, impacting local security.

“We must accept that deportation is just one tool among many to address the widespread issue of undocumented and irregular migration. Deportation alone will not solve the problem,” Lozano stated during a recent interview on the morning show El Despertador.

Lozano emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan that includes documentation, border control, and agreements with businesses to ensure...

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Chamber of Deputies shelves tax reform bill

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (25)

The Chamber of Deputies agreed to withdraw the controversial tax reform bill at the request of President Luis Abinader. The decision follows widespread public opposition to the proposed legislation.

The government’s spokesperson, Homero Figueroa, has suggested that the general public may not have fully appreciated the positive aspects of the proposed tax reform. However, the widespread opposition ultimately led the administration to reconsider its position. Figueroa explained on the El Sol de la Mañana morning talk show that the surveys carried out by the Presidency showed overwhelming rejection. He said the government understood if the debates would have been extended this would impact living in the country. He said the focus in the country would have become “monothematic” and thus the decision to pull the bill.

In an official communication delivered by the government’s legal...

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Former Minister of Economy proposes government crackdown on tax evasion to boost revenues

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (26)

Former Dominican Republic Economy Minister Juan Ariel Jiménez has proposed a targeted crackdown on tax evasion as the primary solution to the country’s fiscal challenges, arguing that this approach is more effective than imposing additional burdens on the middle class.

The today Harvard University professor cited Costa Rica as an example, noting that if the Dominican Republic could achieve a similar level of tax collection efficiency on the General Sales Tax (ITBIS), it could boost government income by 1.7% of GDP—a figure that exceeds the revenue target of many proposed tax reforms.

“To achieve this, we need a combination of technology, improvements in tax administration, and a bit of creativity,” Jiménez stated.

He also suggested local authorities study the cases of Peru, Australia and Brazil.

He mentioned that Peru merged its tax and customs authorities in 2002...

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COE earthquake drill on 23 October 2024

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (27)

The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) will be conducting its fourth National Earthquake Evacuation Drill on Wednesday, 23 October 2024. The drill is set to begin at 10am and aims to prepare the Dominican population for a potential earthquake and refine emergency response protocols.

Various government agencies and institutions will participate in the drill, with the central event taking place at the Juan Pablo Duarte Government Office Building.

COE Director Juan Manuel Méndez García encouraged public participation in the drill, urging citizens to practice their family emergency plans and evacuation routes at home, work, schools, and other public spaces.

“We invite everyone to join us in this drill and practice your emergency plan,” said Méndez García. “By participating, you’ll be better prepared to respond to a real earthquake.”

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Bernardo Vega tells how he located the Taino icon at the University of Turin

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (28)

Historian Bernardo Vega has detailed the fascinating journey of a rare Taino cotton icon (cemi) that has survived since the 14th and 15th centuries and is set to be exhibited at the Museum of Dominican Man for six months next year. The artifact, currently housed at the University of Turin Museum, is the only one of its kind in the world.

Vega told Noticias SIN that the icon had made its way to Italy a long time ago but was misplaced as part of a collection of Peruvian artifacts.

Vega first stumbled upon a photograph of the cemi while conducting research at the British Museum in London. Intrigued by the image, he embarked on a years-long quest to track down the artifact’s whereabouts.

“In the late 19th Century, during the presidency of Ulises Heureaux, a cotton cemi containing a human skull was discovered in the Bahoruco Peninsula,” Vega told Noticias SIN. He noted that...

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Francisco Dominguez Brito vies for presidency of the PLD

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (29)

Francisco Domínguez Brito / El Día

Francisco Domínguez Brito, a member of the Political Committee of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), has officially registered his candidacy for the party’s presidential nomination. He will compete against former President Danilo Medina (2012-2016, 2016-2020), who wants to continue to preside the former ruling political party. The PLD is now ranked third, behind the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), the Fuerza del Pueblo of former PLD leader, Leonel Fernandez (President of the Republic from 1996-2000, 2004-2008 and 2008-2012).

The former senator and Minister of Environment expressed his commitment to a fair and constructive competition within the party. “We expect a united and strong PLD, renewed and ready to win back the trust of the Dominican people for the good of the nation,” Dominguez Brito has stated.

In addition to...

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Court overturns land sale in Los Tres Brazos

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (30)

A court has ruled that a massive land sale in the Los Tres Brazos neighborhood of Santo Domingo East was illegal. The decision comes as a victory for local residents who have long contested the sale of the property.

In a landmark ruling issued on 14 October 2024, the Third Chamber of the Original Jurisdiction Land Court of the National District declared null and void a 2010 agreement between the Dominican Corporation of State-Owned Enterprises (Corde) and Inversiones Fernández Parache & Asociados, S.R.L. (Infepa). The deal involved the sale of approximately four million square meters of land.

The court’s decision, case number 0313-2024-S-00140, found that the sale violated Dominican law. As a result, the court ordered the cancellation of the land title issued to Inversiones Fernández Parache & Asociados, S.R.L. for a specific parcel of land within the disputed area...

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Driver gets 3-month house arrest in fatal crash involving influencer and his wife

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (31)

Jorge López, the driver involved in a fatal accident that claimed the lives of popular content creator Dioelmi Cabrera, known as “El de lo Video,” and his wife, Johanna Vélez, has been sentenced to three months of house arrest and barred from leaving the country.

The ruling was handed down by the San Cristóbal Traffic Court.

The Cabrera family’s legal representative has already announced plans to appeal the decision, expressing disagreement with the court’s ruling.

The tragic deaths of Cabrera and Vélez have sent shockwaves through the San Cristóbal community and the digital world. The young couple was struck and killed by a jeep when riding a scooter.

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DR did not pass to second round of FIFA World Cup

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (32)

Host country, the Dominican Republic’s U17 women’s team did not pass to the second round in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup taking place at stadiums in Santo Domingo and Santiago.

The Dominican team had lost to Ecuador, tied with New Zealand and lost to Nigeria. It was the Dominican Republic’s first women’s participation in a World Cup. The DR came in third place in Pool A that ended with Nigeria, Ecuador, Dominican Republic and New Zealand. Nigeria and Ecuador moved to the second phase.

The event continues through 3 November 2024.

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Dominican Republic’s National Theater Festival is on

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (33)

The 8th National Theater Festival (Fenate 2024) is ongoing through 30 October 2024 at venues around the country. This year’s festival is dedicated to lighting designer and theater producer Lillyanna Díaz.

The Fenate 2024 offers a diverse program of genres, including monologues for adults, comedies, children’s productions, and dance performances, with tickets available for RD$200.

The public is invited to enjoy 21 theatrical productions presented by 20 national companies and over 350 artists on stage.

Performances are taking place at the Carlos Piantini and Ravelo Halls in the Eduardo Brito National Theater; Máximo Avilés Blonda and La Dramática in the Palace of Fine Arts; Manuel Rueda in the Plaza del Conservatorio; Cristóbal de Llerena in Casa de Teatro; Monina Solá in the Narciso González Cultural Center; and at the Talassa Theater.

Minister of Culture Milagros...

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Abinader says he has no alternate fiscal reform bill

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (34)

President Luis Abinader announced that the Executive Branch has no alternative proposal for tax reform. On Saturday, 19 October 2024, the President had announced he would pull the taxation bill he had presented. He said the government would instead focus on making necessary adjustments to meet its goals of reducing reliance on external debt and enhancing its ability to address social issues.

Speaking to the media during the La Semanal weekly press conference, Abinader reflected on the challenges of governing during economically difficult times, asserting that despite these challenges, his administration has managed to navigate successfully.

“In the last four years, we’ve faced very tough situations, including nearly two years of the pandemic that saw a roughly 35% drop in revenues while expenses rose over 20%. We emerged from the pandemic in good shape, with a positive...

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El Dia: Crack down on authorities participating in people smuggling

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (35)

Recently, the first arrests of military and Police participating in people smuggling have made headlines as the Abinader government seeks to reduce the mass inflow of Haitians fleeing given the multidimensional crisis in Haiti. For years, this has been going on as the situation in Haiti has worsened, motivating more people to migrate.

El Dia newspaper in an editorial (An Inescapable Duty) on 22 October 2024, urges the government to do more to crack the people smuggling networks with their Haitian and Dominican participants.

El Dia writes:“The presence of Haitians throughout the country is an observable reality. Stepping outside major urban centers reveals them engaged in various activities, from selling assorted items at traffic lights, pushing tricycles, to working in public transportation or construction sites.

“For some, their numbers are so high they could be...

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Elizabeth Silverio found guilty of impersonating doctor

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (36)

A Dominican court on Monday, 21 October 2024 sentenced Elizabeth Silverio to seven years in prison (Najayo Women) for impersonating a medical doctor. The maximum penalty would have been ten years. Silverio was also ordered to pay two million pesos to each of the nine families that accused her of damages. Silverio was also found guilty of posing as a psychologist and neuroscientist at the Knowledge Land (Kogland) Neurocognitive and Psychopedagogical Therapy Center she operated with her partner and husband, David Baez Zorilla. He was not sentenced.

The case hit the media when investigative journalist Nuria Piera denounced Silverio was scamming parents in response to a claim a parent had made to her. Piera presented the fake titles from prestigious universities abroad, including University of Cambridge in England, Universidad de Valencia in Europe, the University of...

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Juan Soto did it! NY Yankees make playoffs

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (37)

It is the New York Yankees vs the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dominican, 25-year old Juan Soto delivered for the Yankees, hitting a dramatic three-run home run in the top of the 10th inning of Game 5 of the American League championship series against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday, 19 October 2024 in Cleveland. The Yankees won the series 4-1, advancing to the World Series for the first time since 2009.

This could be Soto’s second ring. He had been on the World Series winning team with the Washington Nationals in 2019. He was 20 years old.

Sports media have highlighted that since Soto joined the Yankees in a trade from the San Diego Padres, he significantly enhanced the team’s offense capabilities, complementing fellow slugger Aaron Judge. The formidable batting duo has been likened to historical pairings like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

The media has reported that Soto’s arrival...

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Jean Montero electrifies crowds in Spain

Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (38)

21-year old Dominican guard Jean Montero became a hero for Valencia Basket Club, scoring 25 points, including the three point throw that gave Valencia the game over Andorra 89-88 in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Montero has a contract to play for Valencia for the next three years, through 27 June 2027.

Montero is an electrifying member of the Dominican national basketball team. 1.88m. He got his start in the Dominican Republic.

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Religious tourism conference at BTC trade show

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (39)

The 27th Caribbean Tourism Exchange (BTC) includes a religious tourism conference this year, when it opens at the Dominican Fiesta Hotel & Casino.

The 27th Caribbean Tourism Exchange is set to feature the second edition of the Meeting-Conferences on Religious Tourism in the Dominican Republic. This event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 26 October 2024, from 9am to noon at the Dominican Fiesta Hotel & Casino Convention Center. Its primary focus is to enhance the visibility of the Dominican Republic’s religious heritage and showcase its religious tourism offerings.

One of the key objectives of this conference is to spotlight the various religious tourism circuits available throughout the country. These circuits offer visitors the opportunity to explore significant religious sites and learn about the Dominican Republic’s deep-rooted spiritual history. The...

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Halloween time Colonial City walking tour

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (40)

Activity organizers for the Colonial City of Santo Domingo have prepared two nights of mystery and suspense “Historias de la Ciudad Antigua” for Saturdays, 26 October and 2 November 2024. The group leaders will explain the many legends of the old buildings and streets of the Colonial City as participants are introduced to the many small restaurants and pubs in the city with a discount on a drink. The meeting point is the Iglesia Regina Angelorum.

On 26 October the route will pass by these drink and food stops: Parada 77, Onno’s Bar and Restaurant, Rox Bar, Quantico Restaurant, Tornasol Restaurant, La Cocina de Cheska, and Callejero Tap Room.

On 2 November, the route will take participants by: ⁠Caciba Bar, Republica Brewing, Bar & Museo del Ron, Mercedes 313, La Teatrera, El Buho Eatery Restaurant and Proud Mary.

Tickets start at RD$1,500 and RD$2,700 for two...

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Cabo Rojo Port has capacity for 15,000 tourists arriving on cruise ships at once

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (41)

Puerto Cabo Rojo / Port Cabo Rojo

President Luis Abinader and Tourism Minister David Collado visited Cabo Rojo in southwestern Pedernales last Wednesday, 16 October 2024 to inaugurate the second phase of Port Cabo Rojo.

The port can accommodate two Oasis-class cruise ships simultaneously, or 15,000 passengers at once. This milestone comes as the port solidifies its role as a key driver of tourism development in the southern region of the Dominican Republic.

The second phase of Port Cabo Rojo includes a thematic fair, water park, bars, pools, shops, and restaurants, aimed at enhancing the visitor experience.

Port Cabo Rojo is part of a broader Tourism Development Project in Cabo Rojo, driven by the Public-Private Partnerships Agency, the Pro-Pedernales Trust and the Ministry of Tourism.

The event was marked by the arrival of the cruise ship Adventure of the Seas, which docked at...

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President Abinader inaugurates Kimpton Las Mercedes

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (42)

President Luis Abinader and Minister of Tourism David Collado officially opened the new Kimpton Las Mercedes hotel in the Colonial City on Thursday, 17 October 2024. The hotel adds 130 rooms and eight suites with terraces to the historic district’s lodging options.

Kimpton Las Mercedes is the first hotel of its kind operated by Iberostar in the country, complements the Colonial City.

Hotel executives describe it as a place of unique luxury experiences blending history and modernity, housed in a 16th-century building that immerses and captivates visitors with its ambiance.

The hotel features several dining options, including Zola, an Italian restaurant; El Patio, a relaxed restaurant and bar; and Coral, where guests can enjoy a comprehensive breakfast. Additionally, the hotel offers impressive event spaces for up to 400 people and amenities such as a 24-hour...

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Despite conflict, Ukraine ranks among top European visitors to DR

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (43)

The Russians and Ukrainians were the first tourists to return to the Dominican Republic in the summer of 2020 as the country opened after the Covid-19 pandemic shut down, N Digital highlights. Direct flights brought thousands, yet with the start of the Russia vs Ukraine war, the flights were discontinued.

Now N Digital shares a surprising statistic. Despite the Russian-Ukrainian war, more than 24,000 Ukrainian tourists have visited in 2024.

According to the Central Bank’s latest report, 24,669 Ukrainian tourists have arrived to the Dominican Republic so far this year, ranking the country eighth among the top European visitor markets. This figure is particularly noteworthy given the challenges faced by Ukrainians due to the war.

Ukraine’s consistent influx of visitors underscores the strong appeal of the Dominican Republic as a tourist destination.

Otherwise, British...

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Senate and Chamber of Deputies presidents sign 2024 Dominican Constitution

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (44)

The presidents of the Dominican Republic’s Senate and Chamber of Deputies, Ricardo de los Santos and Alfredo Pacheco, respectively, signed the newly revised Constitution on Friday, 18 October 2024, following its approval by the National Revisory Assembly. The bill now moves to the Presidency for enactment.

Senate President Ricardo de los Santos stated: “We are delivering to the Dominican people a Constitution that will not give the slightest possibility to any leader who comes to govern this country to perpetuate themselves in power.”

The actual full bill with the clause changes and transitory clauses has yet to be released to the general public.

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Constitutional Court upholds Dominican Republic and Netherlands maritime border deal

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (45)

The Dominican Republic’s Constitutional Court has upheld a maritime border agreement with the Netherlands, despite dissent from four of its judges. The ruling finalizes the delineation of maritime boundaries between the two nations in the Caribbean Sea.

The controversial agreement, signed in 2021, establishes a new maritime border based on the equidistance principle, which divides the maritime area between the two countries by drawing a line equidistant from the nearest points of their baselines.

Four justices had expressed their disagreement with the majority decision, arguing that the agreement fails to recognize the Dominican Republic’s status as an archipelagic state. This classification would have granted the country additional rights to its surrounding waters, including potentially larger exclusive economic zones.

Judge José...

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Relief! Time to study the feedback on the proposed taxation changes

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (46)

President Luis Abinader has defended the Fiscal Modernization Bill as one that was not improvised but acknowledged the generalized rejection when on Saturday, 19 October 2024, he announced he would remove it from the agenda of the National Congress. Abinader says the structural changes were proposed to reduce dependency on foreign financing to meet local needs and eliminate distortions and privileges.

The National Budget Bill 2025 presented to Congress on 27 September 2024 did not include the extra resources the fiscal reform would have generated.

During the entire week and a half since the government released its “modernization” plan for a new set of taxes, and even before, much of the news coverage has been devoted to the various sectors that have been predicting doom and gloom if the tax reforms were passed as proposed. The modernization plan was so all-encompassing that there...

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Economist Ellen Perez Ducy: The government has alternatives

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (47)

Ellen Pérez Ducy / Diario Libre

In her “The Reform That Could Have Been” contribution to the fiscal reform debate via Diario Libre, economist Ellen Perez Ducy joined many who have presented alternatives to the widespread increases in taxation proposed in the Fiscal Modernization Plan presented in October by the Abinader administration to the National Congress.

Perez Ducy had written on Thursday, 17 October 2024 that the Abinader administration has other options to secure needed extra resources outside of those proposed in the Fiscal Modernization Plan. The measures are in part sought to appease foreign lending assessment agencies to reduce the risk level of the country so borrowing rates may drop and to provide an abundance for increases in public spending.

Perez Ducy said that by addressing tax evasion, controlling public spending and gradually dismantling exemptions and...

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Valdez Albizu says country is on right track

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (48)

The governor of the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, Hector Valdez Albizu, says that the country is on the right road and doing well. During a talk to Central Bank personnel when celebrating the 77th anniversary of the Central Bank, Valdez Albizu noted that year-to-year growth was 5.6% as of August 2024.

Since January, despite several conflicts around the world, the Dominican economy has grown by 5.1% and leads all of Latin America. As of September, the year-to-year inflation rate was 3.29%.

The Central Bank governor noted that the manufacturing free zones, construction and tourism were major contributors to the glowing financial status of the nation at this point in time. The role of remittances was also emphasized, with over US$880 million entering the country in September.

Valdez Albizu did note that “informality” was perhaps the major burr under the saddle of...

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Push for better nutrition

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (49)

Minister of Public Health Victor Atallah continues on his crusade to improve nutrition as part of the new preventive health programs underway since he was named to the position in January 2024. He is taking all speaking opportunities to present the advances in public health and the concerns for an increase in obesity, particularly in children.

Dr. Atallah, a functional medicine practitioner, underscores the government’s commitment to transforming the nation’s dietary habits, preventing diseases, and enhancing the overall well-being of Dominicans. As part of these efforts, the Ministry has commissioned 18 research studies on dietary behaviors and health across various population segments.

Speaking at the World Food Day celebration on 16 October 2024, Dr. Atallah emphasized the pivotal role of medical research and proper nutrition in fostering a healthier population. “Everything...

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DGII opens vehicle circulation tax renewal period

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (50)

The Tax Agency (DGII) announces the renewal of the vehicle circulation tax starting 22 October 2024. The cost of the tax is the same as in 2023. The government had proposed to double the tax, but this increase was postponed after President Luis Abinader announced on Saturday he would retrieve the proposal sent to the Congress to increase taxes.

The tax when originally drafted had taxed vehicles based on their market value. This was later changed to two basic taxes, one for old vehicles and another for new.

The DGII says as of 22 October 2024, people may request the 2024-2025 vehicle circulation tax, commonly known as the “marbete”. This renewal process covers 1,893,024 eligible vehicles and is expected to generate RD$3,137,673,000 in revenue.

The DGII confirmed that the tax rates for the marbete will remain unchanged from the previous period:• Vehicles manufactured up...

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New proposal for recidivism in Migration Law

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (51)

The latest government push to repatriate tens of thousands of undocumented migrants also faces the reality of recidivism of those who have been deported. This reality is being addressed by a proposed amendment to Migration Law 285-04 currently under review and modification in Congress.

The Senate has a proposal that seeks to punish a person who has been deported and returns to the Dominican Republic with fines and possible imprisonment of up to 90 days. The fines and possible imprisonment are on an escalating scale, going from two to five minimum wages and 15 to 30 days in jail for first offenders, to 10 to 20 minimum salaries in fines and up to 90 days in jail or both to third-time offenders.

The legislative proposal also stipulates that if the returnee has been convicted of a crime that originated the deportation in the first place, then the...

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DR near the top on Chapultapec Index; Freedom of press watch group to meet in Punta Cana in 2025

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (52)

Dominican delegation at the 80th General Assembly of the Inter American Press Association / El Nuevo Diario

During the Cordoba, Argentina 24th annual meeting of the Inter American Press Association it was decided that Punta Cana would host the 81st general assembly in 2025. Persio Maldonado, president of the Dominican Association of Newspapers, made the announcement during the closing of the event held in Argentina. This year the delegates met to discuss freedom of information and the challenges of artificial intelligence.

Upon making the announcement, Miguel Franjul, the Vice President of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) Committee on Freedom of the Press, expressed the Dominican Republic’s continued pride in hosting the IAPA. Looking ahead to the upcoming Assembly, Franjul emphasized the hope that the Caribbean nation would have a modern...

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Traffic accidents claim 1,600 so far in 2024

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (53)

So far, in October of 2024, at least four persons have lost their lives in vehicular accidents. The latest cases are those of an influencer and his wife who were struck and killed on the highway leading to San Cristobal, and another case in Ciudad Juan Bosch where an underage boy drove a car into a family crossing the road, killing at least one person. But these are just the most recent series of incidents that cause so much pain in Dominican families.

According to the most recent statistics from the General of Traffic and Transportation Safety Agency (Digesett), there have been 1,619 traffic fatalities so far in 2024. The statistics show that over 1,000 of these deaths were caused by a collision; loss of control is said to have caused 325 deaths; 212 pedestrians have died, and single-vehicle crashes have caused 49 fatalities. Other fatalities were caused...

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Paying tribute to Federico Henriquez Gratereaux

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (54)

The journalism and literary community are mourning the passing of 87-year old Federico Henriquez Gratereaux on Wednesday, 16 October 2024. He was the winner of the National Literature Award in 2017.

Gratereaux’s multifaceted career included administrative roles at leading institutions such as Listín Diario, where he served as general manager from 1963 to 1966. He also held executive positions in the Liga de Asociaciones y Préstamos (1976-1978) and served as director of public relations for both the Presidency (1978-1982) and the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. Additionally, he held the position of Secretary of State without a portfolio.

A notable highlight of his career was his tenure as director general of the newspaper El Siglo from 1977 until its closure in 2002.

Gratereaux’s contributions to Dominican society have been widely recognized. He is a...

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Government kitchens serve thousands at FIFA U-17 World Cup

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FIFA regulations do not allow for any food or drinks to be sold in the participating stadiums. As a result, Vice President Raquel Peña asked the head of the Dominican Economic Kitchens (CEED) to provide some snacks for the youngsters who are attending the matches as volunteers.

As a result, the kitchens are serving up some 3,000 small meals a day at Santo Domingo’s Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium and Santiago’s Cibao F.C. Stadium on the campus of the Pontifical Catholic University Madre y Maestra.

The so-called Comedores Economicos are known for serving good food at a very low cost. The combination of price/quality is surprising many folks. As the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosts 16 national female squads from around the world, the volunteers are there to ensure the event is a success.

Read more in...

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DR scores first goal ever in a FIFA World Cup; Yuleinis Brito makes history

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (55)

Yuleinis Brito, playing as No. 6, for the Dominican Republic in Group A of the FIFA U17 Womens World Cup, made history scoring the country’s first all time goal for women in a FIFA World Cup. The goal happened in the second half of the game against New Zealand. Brito made the goal to tie the game played against New Zealand 1-1 on Saturday, 19 October 2024 in the FC Stadium in Santiago.

The historic goal was witnessed by 3,258 fans, a record for attendance in women’s football at the FC Football Stadium.

New Zealand’s Renata Mercedes had set the first goal in minutes 61. FIFA reported that the New Zealand goal was just the tonic needed for the Dominican attack and they sprang to life. A corner kick played in front of goal was punched right to Brito, who at minute 68 of the game promptly deposited the ball into the net for the historic goal and a result that keeps...

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Escogido Lions lead in first week of local baseball championship

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Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service (56)

Designated hitter Sandber Pimentel belted two home runs for the first time in his career, including a career-long 424-foot blast over the 411-foot wall in the Leones del Escogido’s 6-3 victory over the Tigres del Licey on Sunday night, 20 October 2024 in the opening week of the Dominican Professional Winter Baseball Championship. This was the first time in his career that he has hit two home runs in a game.

The 30-year-old Santo Domingo native became only the fourth Escogido player to clear the center field wall at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal. Pimentel joined an exclusive club that includes Frank Howard (17 January 1960), Raúl Mondesí (13 January 1995), and Henry Mercedes (14 December 2001).

The win extended the Leones’ undefeated streak to four games in the 71st season of the Dominican Winter League.

The Leones lead the series with 4 wins. They are followed by...

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