Water & Sanitation Push: President Luis Abinader urged Latin America and the Caribbean to treat water and sanitation as a top development priority, citing links to public health, tourism, climate resilience, and inequality—highlighting major Dominican investments like the Verón-Punta Cana Water and Sewerage Project. Trade Under Pressure: The U.S. is reviewing whether the Dominican Republic is doing enough to prevent forced labor in supply chains, a move that could mean new tariffs on DR exports—especially impacting free zones and sectors like medical devices, electronics, textiles, and tobacco. Health Watch: Public Health reported a sharp decline in several monitored diseases in early 2026, with dengue at 111 cumulative cases, cholera at zero, malaria down versus last year, and new leptospirosis cases in Santo Domingo. Saharan Dust Warnings: Dominican ophthalmologists warned that Saharan dust can irritate eyes and worsen conditions like dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis, urging people to limit outdoor exposure and seek care if symptoms persist. Mango Export Boom: Agriculture officials say Dominican mango exports are on track for nearly 10 million boxes in 2026, with growth driven by producers, modernization, and expanding processing and export infrastructure. Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic and Belgium held their first Bilateral Political Consultations Meeting, focusing on politics, trade, agribusiness, academic exchange, and security cooperation. Aviation & Connectivity: Curaçao’s economic development minister met Dominican Foreign Affairs to advance cooperation and take steps toward eliminating the visa requirement for Dominican visitors.