DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

The Santo Domingo metropolitan train project, one of the most ambitious infrastructure undertakings ever in the Dominican Republic, will include an underground section connecting San Vicente de Paúl Avenue to Pintura (Av. Isabel Aguilar), spanning approximately 13 kilometers across Greater Santo Domingo, Jhael Isa explained during an interview with Ana Mitila Lora and Diogenes Pino, for El Despertador, the Channel 9 morning talk show.

Isa, executive director of the Mass Transportation Trust (Fitram), said the decision to build the mass transit to cross Santo Domingo is to optimize traffic in established urban areas and reduce visual and environmental impacts in one of the country’s most densely populated zones.

Isa highlighted that the underground design will encompass the entire section between Av. San Vicente de Paúl and Av. Isabel Aguiar, while the...

The Migration Agency (DGM) announced 15,500 individuals were deported in the first 15 days of November 2024 as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the number of undocumented migrants in the country. The nationalities of the migrants are not revealed in the DGM press release, but the majority would have been deportations to Haiti.

President Abinader had set a ceiling of 10,000 deportations per week as concerns over mass entry of Haitian migrants, seeking free social services and jobs not available in Haiti, made headlines and was all over social media.

The agency also reports making significant strides in dismantling human trafficking networks. Among these is the case of a Dominican network that smuggled people here and then assaulted them for their belongings, but mostly of smugglers caught entering Haitian migrants.

The DGM says that since launching a...

Luis Henry Molina / Diario Libre

The recent publication of the Data Protection Policy document that would require the use initials to identify incriminated people by all court rulings is under the spotlight of the press in the Dominican Republic that sees this as a violation of the right to be informed of the Dominican people.

Supreme Court of Justice Luis Henry Molina says this is a form of auto-regulation of the Justice Branch of government. In defending the policies that are yet to go into effect, the president of the Supreme Court of Justice says that state prosecutors are not affected by the Supreme Court of Justice new policies. The Supreme Court of Justice nevertheless would not identify those who are incriminated by rulings when publishing this online to inform the general public.

The president of the Dominican Society of Dailies, Persio Maldonado, has said the new...

The Office of Permanent Attention in the National District has scheduled a hearing for November 25th to determine the coercive measures against those implicated in the Pandora Operation. The Attorney General Office prosecution division chose the name of Pandora for the case filed regarding a network allegedly responsible for stealing nearly 900,000 rounds of ammunition from the National Police for clandestine distribution. The theft came to the open with the change of Minister of Interior and Police. For years, the Dominican government had denied charges that weapons were being trafficked to Haiti from the Dominican Republic.

The defense requested the postponement due to the voluminous amount of evidence presented by state prosecutors, mostly against members of the National Police.

Prosecutors expect the court to declare the case complex and impose preventive custody on the 10...

The Corripio Foundation celebrated its annual awards ceremony on 19 November 2024, recognizing outstanding individuals and institutions that have significantly contributed to the cultural and social development of the Dominican Republic.

Held at the Carlos Piantini Hall of the Eduardo Brito National Theater, the event honored four distinguished figures and one charitable organization for their exceptional service to Dominican society.

Award recipients:• Manuel Antonio García Arévalo was awarded the Corripio Foundation Prize in Social and Legal Sciences, in the category of Anthropology, for his invaluable contributions to archaeological research spanning over five decades.

• Dr. Pedro Pablo Paredes Vallejo received the Corripio Foundation Prize in Natural and Health Sciences, in the category of Psychiatry, for his extensive academic career as a...

Team Dominican Republic secured a first-time promotion and spot in the 2025 Gold Cup of the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League. The Dominican national football team defeated Bermuda on Tuesday, 19 November 2024 playing in Group D of League B at Estadio Cibao FC in Santiago de los Caballeros.

Overall, the DR finished in first place in Group D after the victory 6-1 over Bermuda. Team Dominican Republic was undefeated in Group D. Bermuda also secured a Gold Cup Prelims spot as the second-best runner-up from League B.

The Concacaf report on the game against Bermuda states:“Dorny Romero stole the show with four goals in stunning fashion as the Dominican Republic concluded the tournament with a 6-0-0 record.

“The first half ended 1-1 with goals from Romero in the 33’ and Djair Parfitt in the 45’+2.

“Romero got his second of the night in the 69’ as he rose for a header off a corner...

President Luis Abinader used the platform of his weekly La Semanal press conference to sign Decree 656-24 ordering the drafting and implementing of a National Road Safety Plan for 2025-2030. The comprehensive plan is aimed at significantly reducing traffic fatalities and injuries in the Dominican Republic. The decree establishes the National Land Transit Institute (Intrant) is the executory branch.

In the past, governments, including the Abinader administration during his first term, have made several announcements for improving road safety. The Dominican Republic is first in road fatalities.

President Abinader says the action is taken as the country is in a public health emergency situation with 26,257 deaths of people from 2016 to September 2024. He said in 2023 alone, 121,850 persons were injured, at a cost of RD$130 billion to the public health system.

There have been...

President Luis Abinader was at the opening of the Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball Academy in Boca Chica on Monday, 18 November 2024. The academy was built at the location where the D-backs trained from 1996 to 2003.

The academy has modern training facilities, comfortable accommodations, and a commitment to providing a high-quality education to those who aspire to be professional baseball players. It incorporates three full fields, with state-of-the-art facilities for training. Baseball players participate in free online high school education.

The Diamondbacks Baseball Academy will also host regular events as part of a multi-year partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB).

Construction was begun in 2018.

Read...

Prosecutors have already filed charges for detentions in the named Pandora Operation that involves the irregular sale of munitions and weapons purchased by the National Police for use in the Dominican Republic to gangs in Haiti.

The Special Prosecutor for Administrative Corruption (Pepca) has filed a formal request for the detention of nine individuals and one legal entity implicated in the Pandora Operation. Wilson Camacho, head of the Pepca, made the announcement during a press conference at the Palace of Justice.

The 213-page document, supported by 135 pieces of evidence, accuses the suspects, primarily police officers, of serious criminal offenses. Camacho expressed confidence that the evidence presented is sufficient to secure convictions.

“We are requesting that the court impose pre-trial detention on the accused and declare this case complex, given...

The Ministry of Public Works (MOPC) has determined the cause of a recent landslide that occurred at Punta Balendrita along the Las Galeras-Samaná highway. A team of engineering experts dispatched to the area conducted a thorough assessment.

According to the MOPC’s findings, the landslide was triggered by the failure of a geologically unstable slope composed of loose, unconsolidated material such as silt, clay, sand, and gravel. The presence of groundwater seeping from the mountain exacerbated the situation, eroding the slope and contributing to its instability.

To ensure the continued flow of traffic while repairs are underway, the Ministry says it will implement a temporary one-lane system.

Additionally, the MOPC plans to install a drainage system, reinforce the slope, and construct protective barriers to mitigate the impact of wave action, which is believed to be a major contributing factor to the slope failure.

While the rains damaged the access road, the actual...

The Ministry of Culture says that the 26th International Book Fair of Santo Domingo (FILSD 2024) concluded with resounding success, drawing over 220,000 attendees and generating over RD$57 million in book sales. Held from November 7th to 17th at the Juan Pablo Duarte Cultural Plaza, the event celebrated literature, culture, and community.

The fair, dedicated this year to renowned Dominican author Mateo Morrison and featuring Washington Heights (New York City) as the guest community of honor, offered a wide range of activities, from author readings and book signings to workshops and panel discussions. Over 500 events were held, attracting a diverse audience of all ages.

“We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to this year’s book fair,” said Culture Minister Milagros Germán. “The FILSD 2024 has not only been a celebration of literature but...

Dominican authorities have seized nearly 250 vehicles from individuals accused of corruption under the country’s Asset Forfeiture Law (Ley 60-23). The National Institute for the Custody and Administration of Seized and Forfeited Assets in Extinctive Domain (Incabide) has been at the forefront of these seizures, which have targeted high-end vehicles such as Lamborghinis, BMWs, and Mercedes-Benz, as reported in N Digital.

These luxury cars, valued at millions of US dollars, are alleged to have been acquired with funds embezzled from the public treasury. In addition to vehicles, authorities have also confiscated four aircraft, four plots of land, a villa, 19 properties, a hotel, 26 commercial spaces, 18 houses, one building, 10 farms, and six other properties.

Attorney General Miriam Germán has stated that these seizures represent over RD$3 billion returned to the...

President Luis Abinader welcomed a high-level delegation from the National People’s Congress of China, led by Vice Chairman Li Hongzhong, at the Presidential Palace on Monday, 18 November 2024. The Presidency reported that the visit sought to further strengthen international cooperation between the two nations. The conversations focused on ways to enhance cooperation in various areas, such as trade, investments and culture.

The meeting was attended by the president of the Chamber of Deputies Alfredo Pacheco, Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza, Minister for Regional Integration Policies Miguel Mejía, and Chinese Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Chen Luning.

The Presidency shared the background of Li Hongzhong. He was born in 1956 and currently serves as a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice...

A Haitian couple attacked medical staff at the emergency department of the Dr. Darío Contreras Traumatology Hospital on Sunday, 17 November 2024 in the afternoon, subsequently fleeing the scene.

The hospital confirmed the incident in a statement, quoting the director-general, Dr. César Roque, who condemned the assault. The note from the hospital indicated that a 28-year-old patient and his partner had been admitted for treatment when they turned violent, attacking both doctors and nurses. The male assailant had allegedly concealed a knife, which he brandished during the incident.

“Thanks to the swift intervention of the hospital’s security personnel, the assailants were initially apprehended. However, they took advantage of the arrival of a critical patient to make their escape,” Dr. Roque is quoted as saying.

Hospital authorities have notified the National Police...

A note in Noticias SIN compiles several of the speculations on what could have happened so that Miss Dominican Republic Celinee Santos did not make the top 12. She was only included in the Top 30 group.; Noticias SIN collected speculation on social media related to the beauty queen not keeping with the organization’s rules and not performing well in the preliminary interview with the members of the jury.

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• Noticias SIN
• DR1 News

The Constitutional Court has ruled that the Open Skies Agreement with the United States, signed on 2 August 2024, is in line with the 2024 Constitution.

This decision, outlined in Ruling TC/0670/24, paves the way for the implementation of a framework aimed at expanding air transportation opportunities between the two nations, fostering competition, and minimizing government intervention.

The agreement grants airlines from both countries extensive rights, including the ability to overfly each other’s territory without landing, make non-commercial stops, and operate international air transport on specified routes.

This encompasses exclusive cargo services and the option to offer combined flights between multiple destinations.

The Constitutional Court emphasized that the pact adheres to the principles of national sovereignty, free competition...

It is a common practice to leave the cedula behind when traveling abroad with a Dominican passport. The Migration Agency (DGM) is now requiring outgoing Dominican passengers to show their ID cards (cedulas) to leave the country. This additional measure, implemented in recent weeks, aims to bolster security and prevent identity theft, Diario Libre reports.

While passports remain the primary travel document, the DGM has added the requirement of showing the ID cards as a secondary form of identification. According to a statement released by the agency, both physical and digital copies of the ID are being accepted.

When Diario Libre asked about the specific start date of this new policy, the DGM cited national security concerns and declined to provide a detailed timeline. However, the agency did confirm that the measure is of recent implementation.

“It’s a recently...

Princess Leonor of Spain, the heir to the Spanish throne, is set to visit the Dominican Republic as part of her naval training next year. The future queen will be embarking on a six-month voyage aboard the Spanish Navy’s training ship, the Juan Sebastián de Elcano, starting in January 2025. Her father, today King Felipe VI of Spain, also visited the Dominican on the same training ship.

The princess, who is currently undergoing training as a naval cadet, will be one of 76 cadets on board the ship as it sails to various destinations in the Americas. The voyage is scheduled to begin on 11 January 2025, from Cádiz, Spain.

The Juan Sebastián de Elcano is expected to arrive in Santo Domingo between 19 and 24 May 2025. This leg of the journey will follow visits to Cartagena de Indias and Santa Marta in Colombia.

The ship’s itinerary includes stops in several other...

Tourism is a big industry in the Dominican Republic and the many holidays stimulate domestic travel. The holidays celebrate Roman Catholic religious dates and mark important historical events. In some years more than others commemorative dates are switched around to accommodate work.

This year, the Ministry of Labor has only changed two dates that will celebrate important events to the nearest Monday. Nevertheless, a record 11 long vacation periods are created.

In 1997, the government introduced the legislation that defines Dominican holidays, and on which day of the week these would be celebrated. For instance, 1 May, Labor Day in the Dominican Republic, is celebrated on the Monday closest to the actual date. In 2024, this holiday was held on 29 April, since 1 May was a Wednesday. In 2025, the holiday will be held on Monday 5 May, since the 1 May is a Thursday...

Located on Av. Tiradentes 49 in the center of Santo Domingo, The Messi Experience offers football fans a privileged insight into the career of legendary Argentinean player Lionel Messi.

Santo Domingo is now the fourth city around the world to host the immersive event, following Buenos Aires, Miami and Los Angeles.

The experience offers visitors a journey through Messi’s most memorable moments, highlighting his 2022 World Cup victory with Argentina and his 17 seasons with Barcelona.

The experience begins with attendees entering a room dedicated to Messi’s numerous accolades, both individual and team, set against the backdrop of the popular chant “Muchachos, ahora nos volvimos a ilusionar,” which became a trend during 2022 Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar. A recorded video message from Messi welcomes visitors, saying, “I hope you enjoy it, thank you for...

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is expected in Santo Domingo on an official visit starting 19 November 2024. He will be the first Vietnam prime minister to visit the Dominican Republic. Chinh chose to make a stopover in the Dominican Republic after participating in the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

PM Chinh accepted an invitation to visit from President Luis Abinader. The visit will be from 19 to 21 November 2024.

The government of Vietnam says the visit seeks to convey a message of Vietnam as a dynamic and reform-oriented nation that stands ready to take on global responsibilities, as explained by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Thanh Binh.

Binh explained that PM Chinh’s official visit to the Dominican Republic demonstrates Vietnam’s desire to continue consolidating and deepening the solidarity, friendship, and sound...

Elected Vice Mayor Amparo Custodia is now the new mayor of La Vega. The city had been without a mayor after President Luis Abinader pulled its recently elected Mayor Kelvin Cruz to be his Minister of Sports for his second term in government starting in August 2024. He had just started the job on 24 April 2024.

The problem got worse when Custodia resigned replacing Cruz, arguing that since she represented Frente Amplio, a minority opposition party, she would not have the support of the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) that had the majority in the City Council, and resigned to leave the way for that party to choose the mayor.

But, matters became complicated when there seemed to be no clear guidelines as to how to replace a city mayor. The PRM majority even included a clause in the 2024 Constitution in an effort to resolve the situation.

Nevertheless, the best...

The Dominican Medical Association (CMD) has been calling for a major increase in wages for doctors and other medical personnel. Late last week, they announced a big strike to take place this week in all of the nation’s public hospitals. However, as negotiations were carried out with the President’s Health Cabinet, chaired by the Vice President Raquel Peña, apparently common sense prevailed and the doctors were able to achieve some 90% of their demands.

The big win was a 25% wage increase over the next two years, with 20% coming in 2025.

Fiery CMD chief, Dr. Waldo Ariel Suero, told the reporters that there would be a 10% increase in January 2025, and another 10% increase in June of 2025. In 2026 there would be a 5% increase in pay for the doctors.

Considering that the CMD had initially asked for a 70% increase in pay, and the Vice President had offered a 10%...

The Ministry of Education has fired over 600 teachers for serious violations in their job, most especially for abandoning their jobs and getting paid for doing nothing. Of this number, nearly 350 requested voluntary removal, and nearly 280 were outright fired for abandoning their jobs.

The Ministry had investigated these many cases and found that many of those dismissed for cause, did not even live in the Dominican Republic any more. While they were receiving salaries that varied between RD$70,000 and RD$90,000, these persons were paying substitute teachers between RD$6,000 and RD$9,000 to cover their classes.

Of the total number that were dismissed, fully 80% were due to abandoning their jobs and 20% were for various causes, such as violence in the schools, drugs, sexual harassment, or falsifying of documents.

Educational districts in Santo Domingo, San Pedro...

The Dominican Republic, represented by the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Development (MEPyD) and the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD), has signed an agreement to receive a non-refundable contribution from the European Union for the regional program “Greening the Caribbean’s Financial System,” with the BCRD as the direct beneficiary.

A substantial €5.85 million grant from the European Union will be used to implement a tailored program of technical assistance, investment subsidies, and studies in the Dominican Republic. This initiative aims to enhance the country’s financial system’s resilience against climate change.

A significant portion of the funding, €500,000, will be directed specifically to the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD). These funds will cover the cost of hiring a consulting service and support...

The Customs Agency (DGA) announced it carried out inspections of a chain of Chinese-owned stores specializing in household goods and decorations. The inspectors sought information on the compliance of these businesses with Customs Agency regulations.

The DGA reported that suspecting potential practices that could undermine fair trade, the DGA conducted a raid on five Importadora Mudan stores located in various parts of the National District and Santo Domingo East, as well as one branch in Santiago de los Caballeros.

In a press release, the DGA stated that these inspections are part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat tax evasion.

The agency affirmed that these actions will continue as part of its commitment to fighting tax evasion and unfair competition.

Local merchants have repeatedly complained that the Chinese businesspeople are carrying out unfair...

The National Institute of Transit and Land Transport (Intrant) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) held a workshop on Smart Mobility Innovation to explore how technology can be used to transform and streamline passenger transport in Greater Santo Domingo, including a master plan for traffic lights.

The workshop on mobility systems formalized a previously signed agreement between the two institutions.

The event was led by Intrant director Milton Morrison and JICA country representative Sakaguchi Kota. Earlier this year, they signed an agreement that paved the way for the seminar. The workshop took place at the High Technology Laboratory of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), which is also a part of the agreement.

Mobility and transportation experts presented case studies on the effectiveness of mobility systems in other...

The media is focusing on how the Dominican governments incur in the practice of renting expensive properties for government agencies, benefiting a select few with very lucrative long-term rental contracts that while legal can fall into the category of wasteful spending. At a time when the government seeks more revenues to pay for essentials, the luxury rentals are in the spotlight.

Diario Libre reports that only in the past year, the Abinader administration has shelled out over RD$3.13 billion on property rentals in 2024, according to government data. This significant expenditure has sparked debate over the government’s preference for leasing rather than owning its buildings.

Between September 2023 and October 2024, the government signed 1,215 lease agreements, some extending as long as 30 years. These contracts, which primarily involve...

In the eleventh consecutive week of the “Guarantee of Peace” Operation, led by the Ministry of Interior and Police (MIP), 16 nightclubs were inspected, with one temporarily closed and the rest notified for non-compliance with Decree No. 308-06 and Resolution No. 001-2022.

The operation, involving the Alcoholic Beverage Control Ageny (COBA), the National Police, the Attorney General Office, the National Drug Control Ageny (DNCD), and the Ministry of Defense, took place in the province of San Cristóbal and a section of the Sánchez highway in the National District. During the inspection, slot machines, obstruction of public roads, and noise pollution were found.

Márx López, representing COBA, explained that the government continues its efforts to guarantee public safety and that is why these areas where neighbors had complained have been...

A high-ranking police colonel and several of his subordinates have been arrested in connection with the theft of over 900,000 rounds of ammunition from a police armory. Operation Pandora, a joint operation between Dominican intelligence agencies and the Organization of American States (OAS) mission in Haiti, led to the arrests.

Haiti Libre reported on the weapons and ammunition stolen from the arsenal of the Dominican police and sold to gangs in Haiti. The investigation in the Dominican Republic began after a new Minister of Interior and Police was appointed in August 2024. Minister Faride Raful announced investigations after being alerted by the Haitian National Police (PNH). Dominican police officers, including at least one high-ranking officer, are allegedly involved in this arms trafficking network.

Colonel Narciso Antonio Féliz Romero, the former head of weapons...

Tunel de Conectividad, a section of the Show del Mediodia variety show on Channel 9, reported last week on what goes on at the Los Minas Maternity Hospital in eastern Santo Domingo, El Nuevo Diario shared with its readers. The Los Minas public hospital has been dubbed “La Maternite” because it caters to Haitian women. Telerealidad reporter, Daniel Lajara ascertained that most of the births are to women 15 to 24 years, who do not speak Spanish and are described as most likely being recent arrivals who enter to receive the birthing services. The journalist ascertained that the birthing travel business continues, despite the government’s efforts to reduce mass migration from Haiti.

The Dominican government has complained that RD$10 billion a year is allocated for birthing services to the Haitian population, as in a report presented to the United Nations. For...

Digital Transactions / Diario Libre

A recent report by TransUnion, an analytical data firm, has indicated that slightly over 10% of all digital transactions in the Dominican Republic in the first half of 2024 were classified as “suspicious” or possibly fraudulent. While this is a slight reduction from the 11% reported in 2023, it still places the Dominican Republic in the second position among the 19 countries studied by TransUnion.

This report comes at a time when nearly one-third of the consumers in the country have complained of attempted fraud via email, or while they were online, or through text messages or phone calls.

According to the firm, it is in the different online communities, such as chats or forums that register the highest percentage of attempted fraud. Retail sales sites and video game sites are also prominent on the list. Overall, it appears that the use of...

The Ministry of Public Works deployed experts to find reasons for the major crack in Las Galeras road in Samaná in the Punta Balandrita section.

Public Works Minister Deligne Ascención said a team of soil mechanics engineers has been sent to Samaná to conduct investigations in the affected area and prevent risks to those traveling on that stretch of road.

Ascención also indicated that the MOPC is working in coordination with the Emergency Operations Center (COE) and the Military and Police Commission (Comipol) of the Ministry of Public Works.

The MOPC has highlighted that its brigades and teams have been monitoring the interruption of traffic and other situations on various roads in the northern region and provinces such as Samaná and Puerto Plata, which have been affected by heavy rains over the past two weeks.

Read more in...

There was hope that with contestant Celinee Santos the Dominican Republic would clinch a second Miss Universe title. The first and only Miss Universe title for the DR was won by Amelia Vega in 2003.

But it didn’t happen on Saturday, 16 November 2024 when the pageant was televised from Mexico City. Miss Denmark was the winner, with Miss Nigeria and Miss Mexico the runner-up queens.

Santos did not make it past being in the top 30 in the final day. She had been mentioned along with the representatives of Peru, Puerto Rico and Venezuela as among the favorites to replace outgoing Sheynis Palacios of Nicaragua.

The Dominican men’s football team scored a decisive victory versus Team Dominica to advance in the Concacaf Nations League tournament. The tournament’s Gold Cup trophy is the primary goal for teams in the region.

The DR won handily 6-1 at the Cibao FC Stadium on the campus of the Pontifical Catholic University Mater et Magistra (PUCMM) in Santiago de los Caballeros.

Forwards Dorny Romero and Heinz Morschel each scored twice in the first 65 minutes of the match. As the Dominican team kept up the pressure, Rafael Mata scored in the 67th minute and Erick Japa scored a penalty kick at the 90th minute.

On Tuesday, 19 November 2024, the DR will take on Bermuda for the final step up to the A League of the Concacaf’s League of Nations competition. With a victory or tie against Bermuda, the Dominican team is guaranteed a pass to the Gold Cup competition in 2025, as...

Junior Lake / Escogido / LIDOM

The Leones del Escogido continue to lead in the Dominican Winter Professional Baseball Championship. As of the weekend games, the standing (games won and lost) is:

Leones del Escogido 16-6, Tigres del Licey 13-9, Estrellas Orientales 12-11, Aguilas Cibaeñas 9-13, Toros del Este 9-14 and Gigantes del Cibao 8-14.

Read more in Spanish:

• Lidom

Juan Luis Guerra, possibly the most prominent Dominican musician at this point in time, was awarded four Grammys at this year’s Latin Grammy Awards ceremony. He won Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. He also won the category for Best Merengue/Bachata Album, with “Radio Guira,” as well as winning the Grammy for the song “Mambo 23” as the Best Tropical Song.

Dominican Jose Alberto, “the Canary” also won a Grammy, and received congratulations from Culture Minister Milagros German, who called the artist from the Plaza de la Cultura where she was attending this year’s International Book Fair.

Read more in Spanish:

• El Caribe

The president of the Senate of the Dominican Republic, Ricardo de los Santos, officially swore in the new members of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) for the 2024-2028 term on 13 November 2024.

The plenary of the JCE is now made up of Román Andrés Jáquez Liranzo, who will serve a second consecutive term as the JCE’s president, along with Dolores Altagracia Fernández Sánchez, Samir Rafael Chami Isa, Rafael Armando Vallejo Santelises and Hirayda Marcelle Fernández Guzmán, the only newcomer to the five-member board.

In addition to the main board members, substitute members of the JCE were also sworn in: Prado Antonio López Cornielle, Cristian Perdomo Hernández, Iván Vladimir Féliz Vargas, Anibelca Rosario, and Tony Tejeda.

De los Santos emphasized the critical role of the JCE in strengthening democracy and ensuring transparency and efficiency in managing the country’s...

The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) has reported a significant surge in remittances during the first ten months of 2024. The country received a total of US$8.9 billion, representing a 5.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The country has surpassed its previous remittance records, with a projected total of over US$10.5 billion for the entire year.

The robust inflow of remittances can be attributed in part to the strong performance of the United States economy, as 82.2% of the total remittances in October 2024 originated from the United States, followed by Spain, Haiti and Italy. The low unemployment rate and expansion of the American service sector, where many Dominicans are employed, have contributed to this trend.

The Central Bank highlights the economic impact of the remittances that play a crucial role in the Dominican economy, boosting...

The Dominican Senate has given first-reading approval to a bill establishing a National Council of the Judiciary. The legislation aims to amend two specific articles of the law to accommodate the selection process for the Attorney General and Deputy Attorneys General by the National Council of the Magistracy, as ordered in the 2024 Constitution.

The amendments are necessary for the Presidency to convene the National Council of the Magistracy to choose the Attorney General of the nation for the 2024-2028 term.

The bill, introduced by Senate president Ricardo de los Santos (PRM) and senator Omar Fernández (Fuerza del Pueblo) proposed amendments to Articles 2 and 3. Article 2, which pertains to the composition of the Council, now suggests that the body be comprised of the President of the Republic who will serve as chair, and the Vice...

Appointed in July 2024 to the position, professional university manager Jose Ramon Holguin Brito is delivering new shine to the ITC, the country’s community college located in eastern Santo Domingo.

Holguín Brito revealed numerous purchasing processes have been managed from August to date.

“With our own resources, we have managed to acquire porcelain tiles and related materials for floor repairs; materials for the repair of cold rooms in the School of Gastronomy and the purchase of fans for the Institute’s classrooms,” the educator detailed.

Similarly, the rector reported on the “acquisition of centrifugal pumps, contracting repair services for ovens for the School of Gastronomy; purchase of paints for ITSC use; acquisition of food for gastronomy practices and acquisition of materials (fabrics) for the Fashion Design school.”

Likewise, the...

The number of police officers involved in the theft of munitions to sell to individuals and criminal organizations in the country and abroad is significant, according to Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful. She revealed that both high-ranking officials and lower-level officers were implicated in the scheme.

“It’s a complex investigation; it’s not just one or two people,” Raful stated. “In due time, the Attorney General Office, following the proper procedures, will inform the public about who these individuals are, their ranks, and how they operated,” she said when asked by journalists for an update.

When the dismantling of this criminal network was initially announced, the ministry had revealed the involvement of both high-ranking and lower-level officers. However, Raful explained that it is now up to state prosecutors to determine the specific criminal liabilities of each...

The National Institute of Transit and Land Transport (Intrant) announced seniors will now pay then same as those under 65 years of age. Effective on 13 November 2024, seniors will pay a reduced rate of RD$950 for the renewal but will have to renew every two years.

Seniors of 65+ are required to undergo a driving evaluation every two years. The first-time issuance of licenses for seniors in these categories will cost RD$1,250.

The Intrant had fallen under much criticism when requiring seniors to pay RD$1,900 to renew their driver’s license, but reducing the validity to two years.

After El Nacional and Listin Diario broke the story, the President himself said he would not pay the new fees and ordered it to be revoked.

Senator Omar Fernandez (Fuerza del Pueblo – National District) expressed concern on the increasing number of Haitian women giving birth in the Dominican Republic. Speaking during a recent Senate session, he said recent statistics reveal that in 63 public hospitals nationwide more Haitian women give birth than Dominican women.

He said public hospitals reported 4,027 births to Haitian women, equivalent to births in June and July together in October 2024, coinciding with a peak in deportations.

He said that according to data published by the National Health Service (SNS), births by Haitians increased from being 24% of the total in 2019 to 36% so far this 2024.

The district senator concluded his remarks by calling for unity within Dominican society to confront the growing immigration crisis before it becomes too late. He cited specific examples such as France, Italy...

N Digital reports that the bachata group Aventura announces a third performance will be sold for 29 December 2024 at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Center. The first two performances on 27 and 28 December were sold out in hours. Tickets are being sold online by Tu Boleta.

For the first two events, the tickets were also physically sold at Megacentro and at the former Palacio del Cine on Level 4 of the Agora Mall.

In a joint operation aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks, agents from the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) and state prosecutors seized a cache of 880 sheets of suspected cocaine, cleverly concealed within the lids of dozens of cardboard boxes, during a raid in the La Rinconada sector of Santiago.

Acting on intelligence reports, agents and prosecutors executed a search warrant at an apartment at the Leslie Marie Tower. They were searching for several individuals believed to be part of a network involved in the storage and sale of narcotics.

Upon entering the residence armed with search warrant number 2024-AJ0029787, no one was found on the premises. Authorities then proceeded to inspect a van, license plate I-093101, linked to apartment 4-B in the same building.

A search of the vehicle uncovered 262 unassembled boxes, each with a double bottom. Hidden...

Once Tampa Bay Rays’ star slugger, Wander Franco has been ordered to appear in court once a month for the next six months after being accused of illegal possession of a firearm.

The decision was made by Judge Viamelka Ruiz Sepúlveda on Wednesday, 13 November 2024 following a hearing in San Juan de la Maguana. Franco was released on conditional liberty but must report to court on the 30th of each month.

Franco’s legal team expressed their dissatisfaction with the ruling, arguing that their client was unaware of the gun in the vehicle he was traveling in. They claim the weapon belonged to Franco’s uncle, Branly Fernando Lugo Rodríguez, who was out of the country at the time.

The incident occurred after Franco had visited a woman in San Juan de la Maguana. When he left her home, her ex-boyfriend confronted him, leading to a heated exchange in a parking lot. Police arrived at...

Celinee Santos Frías, Miss Universe Dominican Republic, is said to be among the favorites in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant taking place in Mexico with the final scheduled for the Arena CDMX of Mexico City on Saturday, 16 November 2024.

24-year old Santos is a digital creator, actress and model in her professional life in the Dominican Republic. She won the title to represent the Dominican Republic in the May 2024 contest, representing the National District.

She has experience in pageants. In 2019, she competed in Miss Dominican Republic Universe, representing Duarte province and placing in the top 6.

She competed that year in Miss Intercontinental 2019 held in Egypt, finishing in the top 20.

In the Miss World Dominican Republic pageant, held in September 2021, representing Duarte province, she won the title of Miss International Dominican Republic. In the Miss International...

Baseball legend Albert Pujols was recently honored with a star on the Dominican Republic’s Walk of Fame, recognizing his immense contributions to the sport and his role as a positive influence on the community.

Pujols is spending most of his time in the Dominican Republic as he has taken on the challenge of managing the Escogido Lions, the capital city team, to win the Winter Professional Baseball Championship this 2024-25 season. His hard work is paying off, and the Escogido Lions are leading the regular season.

The former MLB slugger used the occasion of the Walk of Fame to inspire young people to never give up on their dreams. “This tribute is part of what I want to convey to the new generation: Always put God first and strive with discipline and dedication,” Pujols said. He added: “No one can defeat someone who doesn’t give up.”

The event was attended by several...

The Dominican Republic seeks to advance in the Concacaf Nations League tournament. The Gold Cup trophy is the primary goal for teams in the region.

The Dominican Republic national team, Sedofutbol (Selección Dominicana de Fútbol), will battle Dominica and Bermuda at Estadio Cibao FC (“Orange Bombonera”) in 7pm games on Saturday, 16 November 2024 and Tuesday, 19 November 2024. The game against Dominica will be on Saturday, 16 November and the game against Bermuda will be on Tuesday, 19 November.

The Dominican team seeks the homefield advantage to secure the spot in the prestigious Concacaf 2025 Gold Cup. The Dominican team in the previous stage of the tournament, defeated Bermuda (3-2) and Dominica (2-0).

The games will be played at the Cibao FC stadium in Santiago, where the FIFA U17 Womens’ World Cup also recently was held.

The Dominican team is coached by Marcelo...