AGP Executive Report

Penal Code Overhaul: President Luis Abinader promulgated Decree No. 507-26, reforming the Penal Code and creating a commission to monitor implementation and propose improvements, aiming to modernize the legal system and strengthen rights and due process. Public Health Access: The Ministry of Public Health says it has set up sustainable coverage for children with spinal muscular atrophy, with medication already in the country via the High-Cost Medication Program. National Assets Auction: The General Directorate of National Assets will hold its second 2026 public auction on July 31, offering 123 cases and 61 lots (including vehicles and scrap), with inspections available before the sale. Tourism & Connectivity: Cabarete launches a new “Surf and Wind City” global campaign, while Telxius expands its Caribbean network with a new Santo Domingo PoP at NAP Caribe. Santo Domingo 2026 Sports: DR’s delegation got an upbeat start at the Central American and Caribbean Games, with athletes winning medals and advancing in events. Safety Incidents: A tourist boat fire near Saona left 12 injured, and a separate fire at a Chinese business in Santo Domingo Oeste used 911 drone units; no injuries were reported. Food Security Milestone: FAO confirmed the DR has exited the global hunger map, with undernourishment below 2.5%.

Jones Act Pressure on Puerto Rico: The Washington Post argues the U.S. should permanently relax Jones Act enforcement for Puerto Rico after propane purchases surged once temporary exemptions were granted, warning the law forces the island to buy costlier fuel from markets that lack compliant LPG ships. Youth Debate Push: The Dominican Republic submitted its bid to host the 2028 World Schools Debate Championship, building on the V National Debate Championship’s push for critical thinking and democratic dialogue. Baseball & Youth Sports: LIDOM named Welington Castillo manager for the Dominican team at the III Kids Caribbean Series in Mexico. Public Auction Watch: National Assets will hold its second 2026 public auction on July 31 with 184 lots, including vehicles and scrap, with inspections and registration deadlines set for late July. CAC Games Highlights: Dominican rowing duo André Mora and Jaime Machado won gold; judo also featured a standout gold-medal performance at Santo Domingo 2026. Health & Industry: DP World says it earned ISO 13485 certification in the Dominican Republic to better support medical-device logistics. Food Security Summit: The DR will host a Latin American food security summit in August, bringing regional officials to Santo Domingo to share strategies. Economy Update: The Dominican Republic’s economy grew 6.4% year-on-year in June 2026, the strongest monthly expansion of the year.

Economy Watch: The Central Bank says the Dominican Republic’s Monthly Economic Activity Indicator grew 6.4% year-on-year in June 2026, the strongest monthly pace of the year, with April–June activity up 5.0% and the first-half average at 4.5%. Public Safety & Transport: The Movido Foundation says road danger is tied to weak enforcement of Law 63-17, pointing to stalled fotomultas, gaps in vehicle inspections, and poor penalty collection; separately, SICHOG denied rumors of a transport strike, saying routes will run normally. Politics & Social Policy: President Luis Abinader delivered 1,000 property titles in Los Frailes, calling it social justice and legal security for more than 4,000 people, and his Father’s Day agenda also includes inaugurations and sports-related openings. US Tariffs Impact: Dominican exporters warn the new U.S. tariff wave (12.5% for the DR among 60 countries) could raise costs and hurt competitiveness, forcing renegotiations with buyers. Sports (CAC Games): Santo Domingo 2026 continues to deliver medals for the host delegation, including Ana Rosa García’s first judo gold and Esmeralda Damiano’s -70kg title, while the Games’ opening ceremony drew major attention. Human Interest: Movido’s road-safety push and the week’s Father’s Day shopping slowdown both underline everyday pressures, while a Cuban field hockey defection case in the DR has sparked calls for help for the athlete.

Forced-Labor Tariffs Hit DR: The U.S. rolled out new Section 301 duties on imports from 60 economies, including the Dominican Republic, after the Section 122 surcharge expired—raising the DR’s rate to 12.5% and warning exporters may face higher costs and weaker competitiveness. CAFTA-DR Fashion Sourcing: A University of Delaware study with U.S. fashion brands says 76% of respondents sourced apparel from CAFTA-DR members this year, with the DR-Central America region gaining share despite worries about trade-policy uncertainty. Central American Games Kickoff: President Luis Abinader inaugurated the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, with the event running July 24–Aug. 8 and thousands of athletes from 37 countries. Property Titles in Los Frailes: Abinader delivered 1,000 property title certificates in Santo Domingo Este, framing the move as legal security and social justice for thousands of families. Cuban Defection at CAC Games: A Cuban field hockey goalkeeper defected during the Santo Domingo Games; his family later appealed for help, saying he has “no one and no passport,” while a Cuban delegation official downplayed the incident. Father’s Day Sales Slow: Retailers report weaker Father’s Day sales than in past years, blaming high living costs and tighter household budgets.

Central American & Caribbean Games: President Luis Abinader inaugurated the XXV CAC Games in Santo Domingo, marking the centennial edition, with the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium set for competition through Aug. 8. Healthcare & Housing: Abinader inaugurated the renovated Hacienda Estrella Municipal Hospital to serve 60,000+ residents and delivered 1,000 property titles in Los Frailes, pushing legal security for families. Penal Code Debate: Lawyer Eduardo Saint-Hilaire warned parts of the new Penal Code could chill freedom of expression and complicate reporting on corruption and crime. Sports Highlights: Venezuela won the first CAC Games gold in Santo Domingo with a men’s short rowing pair, while Paola Pérez took gold in women’s open-water 10km. U.S. Trade Pressure: The U.S. launched forced-labor-related Section 301 tariffs covering 60 economies, including the Dominican Republic, raising concern for export competitiveness as rates shift from the expiring Section 122 surcharge. Road Safety: Movido urged stronger enforcement of mobility and road-safety rules, saying traffic problems persist due to policy non-compliance.

Central American & Caribbean Games Kickoff: President Luis Abinader inaugurated the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, with tech-heavy lights, a parade of delegations, and a centenary theme as athletes from 37 countries arrive for July 24–Aug. 8. Presidential Agenda: Abinader’s Father’s Day schedule included a luncheon for 1,500 parents, the Sports Initiation Center inauguration, and property titles delivery in Santo Domingo Este. US Tariffs Pressure Exports: Dominican exporters warn Trump’s new 10%–12.5% tariffs on 60 economies could raise costs and reduce competitiveness, with the Dominican Republic facing a higher 12.5% rate under the forced-labor tariff framework. Forced-Labor Trade Response: The Dominican Republic issued a decree to block imports linked to forced labor as the US moves forward with Section 301 duties. Local Governance & Services: OMSA added a free Games transport route to Parque del Este and arranged 400 buses for athletes and volunteers. Legislation: The Senate advanced a Cultural Heritage Protection bill in a second reading. Economy Watch: People’s Force warned of inflation, tighter cash, and rising quasi-fiscal debt.

Central American & Caribbean Games: Santo Domingo is gearing up for the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games (July 24–Aug. 8), with organizers citing high-level backing from Presidents Luis Abinader and Danilo Medina and stressing the event’s 100th-anniversary significance. Public Transport for the Games: OMSA will run a free “Connection service to the Parque del Este” route during the Games, linking to the Metro for easier access, and has arranged 400 buses for athletes and staff. Senate & Culture: The Dominican Senate approved a Cultural Heritage Protection and Acquisition bill, aiming to safeguard tangible and intangible national heritage, and also advanced legislation tied to health tourism. U.S. Forced-Labor Tariffs: The U.S. imposed new 10%–12.5% Section 301 tariffs on 60 economies over forced-labor concerns, and the Dominican Republic responded with a decree to block imports linked to forced labor. Trade Update (Cuba eggs): The DR resumed egg exports to Cuba, shipping about 3.9 million eggs in the first batch, supported by a new maritime transport subsidy. Seismic Preparedness: Experts warned about the country’s seismic vulnerability and pushed for stronger building assessments and earthquake education. Ports & Safety: APORDOM launched preventive maintenance for tourist and fishing docks to improve maritime safety and protect coastal infrastructure.

U.S.-DR Trade Clash: The Dominican Republic moved fast after the U.S. imposed a new 12.5% tariff on Dominican imports tied to forced-labor concerns, issuing Decree 502-26 to let Customs block, investigate, and restrict shipments linked to forced labor. Tariff Shock Across the Region: The U.S. rolled out forced-labor tariffs covering 60 economies, with rates of 10% and 12.5% depending on each country’s commitments. Tourism & Infrastructure Push: APORDOM launched a nationwide preventive maintenance program for tourist and fishing docks to improve safety and protect coastal economic activity. Central American & Caribbean Games Kickoff: Santo Domingo opened the CAC Games with more than 6,000 athletes from 37 countries, using the spotlight to drive tourism investment. Health System Upgrade: The SNS said the first phase of intervention at Salvador B. Gautier Hospital starts next week, including emergency expansion and renovations. Earthquake Alert: A 5.2 tremor was felt in the Dominican Republic, with authorities reporting no major damage or injuries. Air Connectivity: Cathay Pacific added Santo Domingo to its codeshare network via Madrid, linking the Dominican Republic with Hong Kong.

US Tariffs Hit DR: The U.S. will apply an additional 12.5% tariff on certain Dominican Republic imports starting Friday (with an in-transit exception), as part of a broader forced-labor trade action covering 60 partners. Economy Watch: The Central Bank says Dominican economic activity grew 6.4% year-on-year in June, its strongest monthly expansion of 2026, led by mining, construction, free-zone manufacturing, and services. Diplomacy: The Dominican government recalls its ambassador to Nicaragua for consultations after Ortega’s claim that Nicaragua will hold no more elections. Central American & Caribbean Games: Santo Domingo’s CAC Games open Friday, with Venezuela’s delegation wearing black crepe and Guyana flying at half mast for tragedy victims; meanwhile, the government shortens the workday to ease traffic ahead of the opening ceremony. Public Safety & Health: DAEH and 9-1-1 ran a casualty drill at the aquatic complex for Games readiness. Sports & Culture: Miss Universe Dominican Republic holds its preliminary round ahead of the finale; salsa star Sexappeal marks 25 years with a new album and collaborations.

Youth Sports & Tourism: More than 120 youth baseball teams from Puerto Rico, the U.S. mainland, the Dominican Republic, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Colombia will compete in the 2026 Caribbean World Series starting Friday in Cataño, with games across Cataño, Bayamón, Toa Baja and Dorado. Electoral Oversight: The TSE ruled it can’t hear an appeal challenging JCE rules on registering polling firms and publishing polls, sending the matter to the Constitutional Court. Trade & Agriculture: The DR resumed egg exports to Cuba, dispatching 12 containers with 3.9 million eggs after a suspension tied to U.S. blockade-related logistics; meanwhile, former President Hipólito Mejía urged a review of phytosanitary controls after the U.S. mango suspension. Business & Jobs: Adozona and CNZFE pushed “Free Zones 4.0” at Unicaribe, stressing innovation, training and competitiveness for higher-value exports. Governance & Waste Management: President Abinader created a Citizen Oversight Commission for the DO Sostenible solid-waste trust to boost transparency and public monitoring. Energy & Climate Risk: ADIE warned that climate-driven extreme events could hit the economy, urging resilience upgrades to protect electricity service continuity. Regional Sports Spotlight: With the CAC Games opening July 24 in Santo Domingo, Cuba and other delegations keep arriving as venues are declared ready. International Pressure: The DR condemned Ortega’s claim that Nicaragua will hold no more elections, calling it a rejection of representative democracy. Aviation Service: Puerto Plata’s Gregorio Luperón Airport won the ASQ award for the fourth time, ranking among the best by size in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Waste Oversight: President Luis Abinader created a Citizen Oversight Commission for the DO Sostenible solid-waste trust, aiming to boost transparency and public monitoring through an advisory, honorary body with members selected for independence. Prison Review Bid: Robinson John Mandes, sentenced to 30 years, released a video saying he was wrongly convicted and asking authorities to reopen his case, claiming no videos or material evidence linked him to the crime. Forests Under Pressure: A new Diario Libre investigation maps threats to Dominican forests and why conservation is urgent for water security, climate resilience, and the economy. Central American & Caribbean Games: With the opening set for July 24, Abinader will attend the inauguration at Estadio Félix Sánchez; organizers say venues are ready, and medical coverage includes 70 ambulances for the event. Education Shift: Abinader says education transformation will become state policy to prepare students for AI, automation, and future skills, after a national consultation. Migration Scrutiny: The Migration Directorate is investigating agents after a viral video showed a Haitian man transported on a motorcycle during an enforcement operation. Energy & Mines Audit: An audit found absentee workers, double payroll issues, and off-scale payments at the Ministry of Energy and Mines.

Education & AI Push: President Luis Abinader says the education overhaul will become a State policy, with the 2026-2027 school year starting August 24 and a focus on reading, math, science plus critical thinking for an AI-and-automation future. Games Readiness: The DAEH will deploy 70 ambulances and 300 staff for medical coverage at the Central American and Caribbean Games (July 24–Aug 8), while organizers say the government has invested about RD$9 billion in venues and logistics. Productivity Plan: Government announced the first Meta RD 2036 Forum on Aug. 5 to accelerate reforms aimed at doubling the economy by 2036. Anti-Corruption Spotlight: Transparency International praised Dominican anti-corruption enforcement ahead of the IACC conference in December. Justice & Security: DR and Chile sign an agreement to form a joint investigation team against human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and money laundering. International Moves: U.S. DOJ seized 1,000+ domains used for illegal World Cup 2026 streams. Sports & Culture: Abadina congratulated Gigantes for winning the LNB Super League; and Dominican Pride Abroad (ODEX) welcomed 30 top students of Dominican descent from abroad to the National Palace.

Central American Games Boost: Asonahores says the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 (July 24–Aug 8) will drive sports tourism and a “multiplier effect” across hotels, transport, commerce and entertainment. Metro Safety Incident: The Santo Domingo Metro says a person entered the tracks at Juan Pablo Duarte station, triggering an emergency protocol and evacuation; authorities are investigating. Public Finance: The government asked the Senate to approve amendments to the 2026 General State Budget, projecting RD$1.383T in revenue, RD$1.785T in spending, and a RD$280.6B deficit, with added funding for priority institutions. Police Reform: Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful reiterated that abuses won’t go unpunished, pointing to training, body cameras and citizen security plans. Human Trafficking Probe: The Attorney General’s Office of the DR and Chile agreed to form a joint team targeting trafficking, migrant smuggling and money laundering. Hunger Milestone: The FAO removed the DR from its hunger map after undernourishment fell below 2.5%, with Abinader citing programs like school feeding and social protection. Games Logistics: The Olympic Shelter (Alodom) says it housed hundreds of athletes preparing for Santo Domingo 2026, while competitions kicked off with water polo and badminton.

Budget Update: The Dominican government has sent the Senate an amended 2026 General State Budget, projecting RD$1.383T in revenue and RD$1.785T in spending, with a RD$280.6B deficit, while boosting funding for priority ministries and reallocating money across health, police, public works, and other areas. Food Security Milestone: The FAO formally removed the Dominican Republic from its hunger map, issuing the “Zero Hunger” declaration after undernourishment fell below 2.5%, with Abinader citing programs like school feeding and social support. Police Reform Watch: The Chamber of Deputies’ Interior and Police commission asked for more time to study a bill modifying the National Police’s organic law, citing the proposal’s 516 pages and hundreds of articles. Public Safety: Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful says police abuses will be punished as reform advances, pointing to training, body cameras, and prevention plans. Road Safety Push: UN road safety envoy Jean Todt will visit Santo Domingo to back a new “Voices for Road Safety” campaign tied to the Santo Domingo 2026 Games. Crime & Justice: The Senate approved a bill to channel seized and confiscated assets toward programs to prevent and support victims of gender-based and domestic violence. Health & Society: A major Dominican Republic–linked UN warning highlights Haiti’s slide toward organized crime and institutional capture, with DR urging faster implementation of security mechanisms. Sports Tech: Santo Domingo 2026 launched an official mobile app for schedules, results, venues, and live updates. Tourism & Business: Piñero opened nominations for its third “Los + Ecoístas” sustainability awards, adding categories for content creators and media.

Police Reform Watch: Interior Minister Faride Raful says the government is pushing a “cultural change” in the National Police, citing body cameras, new training for 12,000+ agents, and tighter supervision as cases of police violence keep fueling public distrust. Penal Code Update: The Senate advances a Penal Code overhaul after the Chamber approved it, with a bicameral commission chair defending technical fixes and new penalties targeting real-estate fraud. Gender Violence Funding: Senators also backed a bill creating an institute to manage seized assets, with 40% of funds earmarked for prevention, protection, and care tied to gender-based and domestic violence. Health Services Milestone: The National Health Service (SNS) reported a record 25.39 million specialized services delivered in the first half of 2026. Tourism & Sports Prep: Abinader oversaw the handover of renovated sports pavilions for Santo Domingo 2026, while Puerto Plata temporarily closed Paseo Doña Blanca for restoration. Economy & Business: Banco Popular says it allocated RD$157.31B to MSME lending (41% of its commercial portfolio). Agriculture Trade: The U.S. temporarily suspended Dominican mango imports over phytosanitary protocol issues, though officials say most fruit had already shipped. Digital Crime Crackdown: The U.S. DOJ seized 1,000+ domains used to illegally stream World Cup 2026 matches, including 256 tied to the Dominican Republic. Local Crime Alert: A Santo Domingo hotel theft case involving US$7,900 is under Dicrim investigation.

Haiti Security: Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez urged the UN Security Council to renew the mandate of Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force and the UN support office, pushing for faster deployment, stronger sanctions against financiers and arms traffickers, and deeper support for Haiti’s police and justice system. Infrastructure & Traffic: President Luis Abinader inaugurated the Plaza de la Bandera tunnel and renovated surrounding public space, a RD$3.3 billion project meant to cut congestion and improve southern connectivity. Defense & Border Control: The Ministry of Defense delivered new equipment to boost operational capacity and border security, including drones and Centauro tactical vehicles. Agriculture & Trade: The Dominican Republic reinforced fruit-fly controls to protect mango exports, but the US also suspended Dominican mango imports over protocol violations. Social Policy: Supérate’s director general highlighted poverty reduction and expanded social protection at a UN forum, citing support for 1.4 million households and energy subsidies reaching millions. Women’s Leadership: Women’s Affairs Minister Gloria Reyes was confirmed pro tempore head of COMMCA for July–December 2026, reaffirming DR’s regional role. Penal Code Debate: Political and business voices renewed criticism of proposed Penal Code changes, warning about ambiguous provisions that could affect freedom of expression and legal certainty. Sports Tourism: The Bayahibe 10K returns Sept. 6 with 600+ runners, while Stefano Mazzoli won the Corales Puntacana Championship in Punta Cana. Culture & Heritage: Casa del Cordón hosted the international Caribbean archaeology congress with 150+ experts from 25 countries.