AGP Executive Report

Central Bank & Economy: The Dominican Republic’s economy grew an average 4.5% from January to August 2026, and the Central Bank raised its policy rate from 5.25% to 5.50% to keep inflation expectations anchored. Public Integrity: President Luis Abinader led the “public integrity act” after the OECD presented an integrity study with recommendations on whistleblower protection, risk management, transparency, and citizen oversight. Governance & Elections: The PLD suspended its Oct. 18 citizen consultation, saying it lacked enough automated voting machines nationwide. Culture & Media: The Minister of Culture reaffirmed efforts to internationalize Dominican literature at the Santo Domingo Book Fair, while RTVD Studios promoted “La Familia Espejo” with a streaming-first, QR-code launch. International Cooperation: Guyana and the DR signed an MoU to cooperate on sustainable civil aviation and decarbonization. Haiti Security: The UN Security Council extended Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force mandate through March 2027, with OAS member states urging full deployment. Sports: The DR and Haiti are set to meet in CONCACAF Nations League action on Oct. 1.

Public Integrity Push: President Luis Abinader hosted the OECD’s Integrity Study for the Dominican Republic, urging reforms on whistleblower protection, integrity risk management, transparency, and citizen oversight as part of the ENIP 2026–2036 roadmap. Central Banking: The Central Bank raised its monetary policy rate from 5.25% to 5.50% to keep inflation expectations anchored amid oil-price pressures, freight disruptions, and tighter global financial conditions. Haiti Security: The UN Security Council extended Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force mandate through March 31, 2027; Dominican Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó backed the renewal but warned the window is too short without more personnel, equipment, and funding. Trade & Ports: The Dominican Shipping Association called for a long-term national maritime strategy to coordinate ports, logistics, infrastructure, human capital, and sustainability as exports grow. Aviation Cooperation: Guyana and the Dominican Republic signed an MoU to advance sustainable civil aviation, including SAF and CORSIA-aligned emissions work. Local Mobility: Santo Domingo inaugurated a 100% electric bus loop linking Plaza de la Cultura with the Colonial City to ease traffic and parking woes. Culture & Events: EUROCINE 2026 brings contemporary European films to Dominican audiences starting Oct. 26, and the Santo Domingo International Book Fair runs with 700+ activities through Oct. 4.

Driver’s License Overhaul: President Luis Abinader issued Decree No. 675-26 standardizing Dominican driver’s license validity at four years, ending age-based limits and shifting renewals to aptitude exams. Central Bank & IMF: The BCRD welcomed IMF mission chief Michael Perks, with officials citing resilience in exports, tourism, remittances, and FDI and projecting about 4.5% growth in 2026. Public Administration Cooperation: Azerbaijan’s ASAN Service model is set to be introduced in the DR after a memorandum signed in Santo Domingo, including training for civil servants. Security & Haiti Spillover: The DR reiterated support for strengthening Haiti’s gang suppression force as the UN renewed its Haiti mandate for six more months. Citizen Security Measures: Abinader said the DR denies entry to about 20 foreigners weekly due to criminal records, and highlighted expanded tools and patrols under the Strategic Citizen Security Plan. Culture & Community: The Santo Domingo International Book Fair continues through Oct. 4 with young attendance and Panama as guest of honor, while Day of Saint Michael drew large crowds in the Colonial Zone. Sports & Entertainment: Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA returns to Santo Domingo Oct. 2 with “Smith vs. Heiderman,” and bachata breakout Dalvin La Melodía is drawing major attention in Puerto Rico.

Driver’s License Overhaul: President Luis Abinader signed Decree 675-26 standardizing Dominican driver’s licenses to a uniform four-year validity, ending age-based limits and requiring aptitude exams through INTRANT. Emergency Alerts Under Fire: Indotel defended the RD$59.9M Cell Broadcast System after phones stayed silent during the Sept. 27 earthquakes, saying the system was paid for and procured in 2025. Public Safety Tech Upgrade: Abinader unveiled a modernized 9-1-1 system featuring drones, robots, AI support, and faster dispatch coordination. Security Agenda: Abinader reiterated efforts to arrest criminals and said the country denies entry to about 20 foreigners weekly over criminal records. IMF Engagement: The BCRD met an IMF delegation introducing Michael Perks as the new mission chief, with growth projected around 4.5% for 2026. UN Climate Push: At UNGA, the DR backed faster climate adaptation financing and joined the Climate Vulnerable Forum. Trade & Tourism: The U.S. raised the DR’s raw cane sugar quota for FY2027, while the DR announced Dominican Week in France and a new tourism campaign, “Feel DR.” Culture & Sports: The Santo Domingo Book Fair drew strong youth attendance; and the DR hosts Haiti in CONCACAF Nations League A on Oct. 2. Art in Diplomacy: Kehinde Wiley asked Trump to buy back a painting removed from the U.S. embassy in Santo Domingo.

Colonial City Upgrade: President Luis Abinader inaugurated the renovated Alcázar de Colón Museum and launched a new Colonial City Electromobility Route, with electric buses and charging infrastructure funded by the EU and IDB, as part of a broader Colonial City revitalization. Digital Government Push: The Dominican Republic will host a Regional Digital Government Summit on Oct. 1-2 with officials from about 20 countries, focusing on digital public infrastructure, interoperability, digital identity, data governance, cybersecurity, and AI. Rare Earths Spotlight: Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos is in Washington for Dominican Week, pitching the country’s rare earth and critical minerals potential and discussing supply-chain cooperation. Earthquake Alerts Questioned: After a 5.5 quake, the COE said the Cell Broadcast emergency alert didn’t reach phones due to protocol indicators and incomplete full coverage across telecom providers. Public Health & Safety: A report highlights how regular prostate cancer screening can enable earlier treatment, including a case where surgery was arranged in the Dominican Republic. Culture & Community: Santo Domingo’s Chinatown held the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrating Chinese culture and Dominican-Chinese ties. Sports: Derek King lamented missed chances as Trinidad and Tobago were eliminated after a 2-1 loss to the Dominican Republic in the CONCACAF Nations League.

Colonial City Upgrade: President Luis Abinader inaugurated the restored Alcázar de Colón Museum and launched the Colonial City Electromobility Route, a pilot with electric buses and charging infrastructure, as part of a broader heritage revitalization backed by the IDB and EU. Digital Government Push: The DR will host a Regional Digital Government Summit on Oct. 1–2 with officials from about 20 countries, focusing on digital public infrastructure, identity, data governance, cybersecurity and AI. Budget & Spending Plans: The Abinader administration submitted a RD$2.0 trillion 2027 budget to Congress, with major allocations for education, health and social protection, plus infrastructure like metro expansion and the Monte Grande dam. Energy & Mining Outlook: Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos heads to Washington to discuss rare earth and critical minerals potential, including cooperation on supply chains and related projects. Earthquake Response: After a 4.8 quake rattled the country, the COE said the phone alert system didn’t fully trigger because Cell Broadcast isn’t yet integrated across all telecom providers. Air Connectivity: The DR and Argentina signed an air services agreement to expand routes for tourism, trade and investment. Culture & Community: Santo Domingo’s Chinatown held the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrating Chinese culture and Dominican-Chinese ties.

Haiti Security at the UN: Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó told the UN that Haiti’s long-term stability needs a tight link between security, institutional rebuilding and economic support, warning the Gang Suppression Force remains short on personnel. Regional Pressure for Haiti Gangs: OAS member states urged the UN Security Council to renew and fully deploy the Haiti gang suppression mandate, calling for funding, equipment and logistics. Abinader’s Big Budget Push: The Abinader administration submitted a RD$2.0 trillion 2027 budget to Congress, with major allocations for education, health and social protection, plus higher public investment. Disaster Prep and River Cleanup: Abinader met New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to expand cooperation on emergency management and environmental remediation, including plans to clean the Yaque del Norte. Earthquake Shakes the Island: A magnitude 4.8 quake struck near Guaymate, with light-to-moderate shaking reported across the Dominican Republic. Tourism Service Worry: Hotel and tourism groups say the country’s famed warmth is fading post-pandemic, alongside concerns about service quality and facility upkeep. Public Safety Incident: A man pursued by police in Sabana Perdida killed two people and wounded another at a fried chicken restaurant. Culture and Literature: Jesuit priest Pablo Mella won the Eduardo León Jimenes Literary Award and will donate the RD$1 million prize. Justice and Rights Debate: Media reports highlight rising police shootings and the “informal death penalty” concern.

President & UN Climate Action: President Luis Abinader told the UN General Assembly the Dominican Republic pushed the first global resolution on sargassum and urged faster climate financing for Caribbean coasts. Public Safety & Crime: A man pursued by the National Police killed two people and wounded another at a fried chicken restaurant in Sabana Perdida, Santo Domingo Norte. Health Watch: The Ministry of Public Health reported maternal deaths down 20% (weeks 1–36) and malaria cases down 82% in 2026, with intensified audits continuing. Tourism Service Concerns: Hotel and tourism leaders say the country’s traditional warmth has faded since the pandemic, alongside service-quality and maintenance challenges. High-Profile Murder Case: Merengue singer Julián Oro Duro’s wife was murdered during a robbery after serving lemonade to the alleged killers at their home in Santo Domingo Oeste. Environment & Water: A new look at the country’s main rivers highlights threats from deforestation, weak sanitation, and untreated wastewater—especially in basins tied to major population centers. Diaspora & Identity: A report explores how Dominicans in the U.S. are shifting from small businesses toward broader professional and civic roles, especially across generations.

UN Diplomacy & Climate: President Luis Abinader told the UN General Assembly the Dominican Republic pushed the first global sargassum resolution and urged faster climate financing for Caribbean coasts. Tourism & Service: Local hotel leaders say the country’s famed warmth has “diminished” since the pandemic, with customer care and facility upkeep flagged as key challenges. Public Health: The Ministry of Public Health reported maternal deaths down 20% (to 101 through week 36) and malaria cases down 82% (to 137 in 2026). Crime & Public Safety: Police reported multiple gunfire deaths in September, while the killing of merengue singer Julián Oro Duro’s wife after she served lemonade to attackers continues to shock the country. Regional Security: OAS member states, including the Dominican Republic, urged the UN to renew Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force mandate and back full deployment. Diaspora: A new look at Dominicans in the U.S. highlights a generational shift toward higher education and civic roles.

UN Climate & Sargassum: President Luis Abinader urged the UN to speed up climate financing for the Caribbean, saying the Dominican Republic helped secure the first global UN resolution on sargassum and warning vulnerable coasts need timely support. Public Health: The Ministry of Public Health reported maternal deaths down 20% (126 in 2025 to 101 in 2026 through week 36) and malaria cases down 82% (760 to 137), alongside continued audits and intensified surveillance. Tourism & Safety: Hotel industry leaders say the “warmth” tourists notice has faded since the pandemic, while a separate case shocked the country: merengue singer Julián Oro Duro’s wife was murdered during a home robbery after serving lemonade to the attackers. Crime & Police Use of Force: Police reported multiple alleged criminals killed in separate gunfire incidents, as human rights groups criticized the rising number of deaths tied to police operations. Economy & Costs: Fuel subsidies were increased again (RD$1,770.65 million) to cushion refined-product price pressure, with planned adjustments to gasoline and diesel prices. Diaspora & Cooperation: Abinader met New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to deepen disaster response and environmental cooperation, noting the large Dominican community in the state. Sports: The Dominican Republic opened CONCACAF Nations League play with a 3-2 win over Nicaragua, setting up another matchday spotlight for the team.

Fuel Prices & Subsidies: The Dominican government approved another RD$1,770.65 million in fuel subsidies for Sept. 26–Oct. 2, adjusting gasoline and diesel prices after higher international refined-product costs. Diaspora Politics: Dominican officials in New York pushed back on proposals to eliminate the overseas vote, arguing Dominicans abroad need representation and that abstention exists at home too. UN & Haiti Focus: Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó met Russia’s Sergey Lavrov in New York, urging sustained international attention on Haiti and raising concerns about job offers targeting Dominicans for Russia. Climate Resilience: The DR called for stronger regional cooperation and adaptation financing to protect coastal communities from sea-level rise and climate displacement. Regional Security Debate: Coverage around the “Shield of the Americas” coalition continued, with Dominican participation noted amid wider debate over sanctions and cartel designations. Sports (CONCACAF Nations League): The Dominican Republic opened with a 3-2 win over Nicaragua and is set to face Trinidad & Tobago after Haiti’s late comeback win over T&T. Health Update: DR reported 338 dengue and 137 malaria cases so far in 2026.

President’s U.S. ties: Dominican President Luis Abinader visited William Paterson University in New Jersey, receiving the school’s President’s Medallion, and later marked his first official Brooklyn trip with Dominican Pride Day as he pushed deeper cooperation with New York. Diaspora voting debate: Dominican officials in New York urged the JCE to fix barriers to overseas participation rather than scrap the vote, with overseas deputy Cirilo Moronta calling elimination “madness.” Haiti spotlight: Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó met Sergey Lavrov to keep international attention on Haiti and pressed for UN Security Council resources; the DR also called for stronger Haiti force support. Security bloc controversy: The “Shield of the Americas” coalition—backed by the DR among others—moves to label 24 cartel groups “terrorist,” drawing criticism that it’s a pretext to curb China’s influence. Migration pressure: The U.S. deported 39 people to Haiti on Thursday, bringing the total to 529 since TPS ended. Health update: DR reported 338 dengue and 137 malaria cases in 2026 so far, plus 275 leptospirosis cases. Climate resilience: DR called for coordinated coastal adaptation financing as sea-level rise threatens Caribbean communities. Business & tourism: A proposed convention center could boost large international conferences, while DR prepares as Guest of Honor at FIT Latin America 2026 in Argentina. Sports: WBC sanctioned a middleweight title fight between Carlos Adames and Kazakh challenger Meiirim Nursultanov.

Haiti Security Push: The Dominican Republic urged the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force to be strengthened, warning progress is “frail” and that a capacity gap could undo gains against gangs. Hemispheric Crackdown: At the UN General Assembly, the “Shield of the Americas” coalition defined 24 armed groups as targets, including Colombia’s FARC dissidents, ELN and Clan del Golfo, with the Dominican Republic among signatories. Diaspora Education: President Luis Abinader announced 300 scholarships for young Dominicans in New York—100 postgraduate, 100 undergraduate, and 100 tech training at ITLA—based on grades and merit. Brooklyn State Visit: Abinader’s first official Brooklyn visit drew major cheers at Borough Hall, with Antonio Reynoso proclaiming Sept. 24 “Dominican Pride Day.” Tourism & Trade: DR reported 8.56M visitors in Jan–Aug 2026; separately, Canadian beef regained access to the DR market after a long closure. Business & Policy: DR’s MICE sector is set to grow as convention visitors spend far more than traditional tourists, and DR and Azerbaijan signed visa-free travel for ordinary passport holders.

Haiti Security Push: The Dominican Republic urged the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force in Haiti to be strengthened, warning progress is “frail” and that a capacity gap could undo gains. Diplomacy & Mobility: Dominican Foreign Minister Ito Bisonó signed a visa-free deal with Azerbaijan for holders of ordinary passports and also agreed to establish diplomatic ties with Somalia. UN Recognition: President Luis Abinader received the Americas Society Gold Badge in New York, citing poverty reduction, record tourism projections, and economic recovery. Trade Watch: The U.S. raised the Dominican Republic’s raw sugar export quota for fiscal 2027 to 201,274 metric tons, boosting preferential access. Tourism & Business: Asonahores says MICE visitors can spend up to three times more than typical tourists, with SDQ MICE 2026 drawing international buyers. Health & Quality: CEMDOE and INTEGRA held a forum on health quality and patient safety, including plans to expand clinical research and outpatient services. Culture & Community: Santo Domingo’s Las Mercedes Day drew large crowds to the Colonial Zone church.

Haiti Crisis at the UN: President Luis Abinader urged the UN to fully deploy and fund the international Haiti force, enforce the arms embargo, and back Haitian institutions as gang violence worsens, warning that renewing without completing only prolongs an unfulfilled promise. Regional Security Pact: The Dominican Republic joined the US-led “Shield of the Americas,” a 14-country push to impose asset freezes, visa restrictions, and criminal liability targeting 24 narco-terrorist groups. Diplomacy & Visas: Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó met Azerbaijan’s Jeyhun Bayramov at UNGA and the two countries signed a mutual visa-exemption deal for ordinary passport holders plus a mechanism for political consultations. Trade & Investment Moves: The DR and Greece signed an MOU to expand economic cooperation and create a joint working group to boost trade and supply chains. Tech for Merchants: Apple expanded Tap to Pay on iPhone to the Dominican Republic, letting businesses take contactless payments with just an iPhone and a compatible app. Rare Earths Update: The Ministry of Energy and Mines says it has processed 5,000 lab samples for the rare earth project, aiming to announce first certified reserves in the first half of 2027. Business & Tourism: Arajet marked its 4th anniversary, citing a “143%” passenger growth between the DR and Latin America since 2022.

Hemispheric Security: President Luis Abinader pushed the UN to fully deploy and fund Haiti’s security force, enforce the arms embargo, and back Haitian institutions as gang violence worsens, warning the Security Council’s mandate can’t just be renewed without results. Shield of the Americas: Abinader also joined Trump and regional leaders in New York for the “Shield of the Americas,” a coalition aimed at coordinated action against narco-terrorism, including sanctions and visa/asset measures targeting 24 groups. Poverty & Exports at UNGA: Abinader told the UN that poverty and hunger are falling, Zero Hunger was reached ahead of schedule, and exports and tourism are hitting records, alongside Meta RD 2036 progress toward doubling the economy by 2036. Rare Earths Push: The Energy and Mines ministry says it has processed 5,000 lab samples for rare earths, targeting first certified reserves in early 2027 and exports by 2028. Trade & Diplomacy: DR and Greece signed an MOU to expand economic cooperation, trade, and supply chains, while DR-China talks began in Tamboril on commercial links in tobacco. Digital Payments: Apple expanded Tap to Pay on iPhone to the Dominican Republic, letting compatible iPhones act as contactless payment readers. Tourism Business: Santo Domingo’s SDQ MICE 2026 drew 50 international buyers for 1,000+ B2B meetings to boost meetings and events. Energy/Environment: Rare earth certification timelines and a separate regional focus on sargassum management highlight ongoing pressure on resources and coastal cleanup. Crime Update: A suspect surrendered in the case involving merengue singer Julián Oro Duro after a violent home invasion that killed his wife.