AGP Executive Report

Government Procurement Push: President Luis Abinader launched Eficompras, the Dominican State’s first virtual store, to speed up and standardize public purchases under RD$268,111.38, with mandatory rollout for state entities and a focus on MSMEs and women-owned businesses. Security & Transport Leadership: Abinader also swore in new INTRANT head Juan Manuel Méndez García and announced major military and police command changes via Decree 557-26, reshuffling the Army, Air Force, National Police, and key security posts. Gambling Crackdown: The Chamber of Deputies sent the Gambling Bill to the Senate, setting tough penalties—up to 10 years—for altering betting results and for using intermediaries or straw men to hide real beneficiaries, plus licensing rules for charitable and non-charitable raffles. Public Health: Health officials said the DR will keep its childhood vaccination schedule despite U.S. changes, while reporting leptospirosis deaths linked to flooding and urging prevention. Labor & Trade Pressure: A watchdog report says forced labor persists on Dominican sugarcane plantations tied to Central Romana, renewing calls for the U.S. to reinstate an import ban. Tourism & Environment: Asonahores urged sargassum solutions that protect both beaches and local communities, as hotels prepare containment measures for expected 2026 seaweed impacts.

Armed Forces Shakeup: President Luis Abinader signed Decree 557-26, appointing Major General Jimmy Arias Grullón as Army commander general and Major General Enmanuel Marcelino Souffront Tamayo as Air Force commander general, while also naming new top figures across the Armed Forces and security leadership. Police Leadership Change: Abinader also named Ernesto Rodríguez García as new director general of the National Police via Decree 558-26, replacing the prior appointment and triggering public skepticism that leadership swaps alone will curb crime. Diplomacy Under Pressure: The Dominican government ordered nine Cuban diplomats and their families to leave, with reports of a departure before the deadline; local political groups criticized the move as lacking explanation and tied to U.S. pressure. Public Safety Flashpoint: A deadly Malecon tanker crash—linked to long-ignored rules against heavy trucks on the sea-bordering road—left the driver and assistant dead and raised calls for enforcement and accountability. Tourism & Regulation: Asonahores says Airbnb listings now outnumber hotel rooms in Santo Domingo, urging regulation for safety and tax compliance. Legal Ruling on Mining: The Superior Administrative Court canceled Falcondo’s Quisqueya I concession after finding serious breaches, ending nearly seven decades of contracts. Aviation Management: Decree 552-26 reshuffled civil aviation leadership, naming Julio de Jesús Peña Guzmán to head the Civil Aviation Board. Health Tourism Push: ADTS announced its 8th International Health and Wellness Tourism Congress for June 2027 in Santo Domingo, aiming to attract investment and high-value jobs.

Police Leadership Shake-Up: President Abinader named Ernesto Rodríguez García as the new director general of the National Police, promoting him to major general—an appointment that residents say won’t fix crime without deeper institutional changes. Diplomatic Fallout With Cuba: The Dominican Republic confirmed it requested nine Cuban diplomats and their families leave within seven days; reports say they departed before the deadline, while the Duartian Institute urged Abinader to explain any alleged U.S. pressure and defend sovereignty. Foreign Ministry Transition: Roberto Álvarez wrapped up a six-year term as foreign minister and was replaced by Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, as Abinader also reshuffled other key posts. Government Restructuring: Decrees 551-26 and 554-26 appointed new leadership at INTRANT and updated roles across housing and port authorities. Public Sector Payroll Watch: A new CREES/ILO-based report says the DR has one of the highest shares of public employees in the region, raising concerns about the state payroll’s fiscal weight. Trade/Legal Pressure Tool: Senator Félix Bautista filed a bill to ban forced-labor imports, aiming to strengthen the DR’s case for tariff relief from the U.S.

Foreign Policy Shake-Up: President Luis Abinader named Víctor “Ito” Bisonó as new Foreign Minister and confirmed a wider cabinet reshuffle, as Roberto Álvarez wrapped up his six-year term. Cuban Diplomats Expulsion: The Dominican Republic gave a 7-day deadline for nine Cuban mission members and families to leave, with Cuba accusing U.S. pressure; local groups are calling a protest outside the Foreign Affairs ministry next Tuesday. Transport & Emergency Leadership: Abinader appointed retired Major General Juan Manuel Méndez García to lead INTRANT and named Erdwin Robert Olivares Luciano as new COE director, signaling a push to tighten disaster response and land-transport oversight. Public Sector Costs: A CREES/ILO-based report says the DR has the 5th-highest share of public sector workers in the region, with payroll projected to weigh heavily on 2026 spending. Housing & Sports Recognition: Abinader delivered a fully furnished apartment to sprinter Liranyi Alonso after her Santo Domingo 2026 medal haul.

Diplomacy Clash: Cuba’s embassy staff in Santo Domingo spent Saturday packing as the Dominican government enforced its deadline for nine Cuban diplomats and their families to leave, with the Foreign Ministry citing Vienna Convention Article 9 and critics calling it a politically motivated move. Protest Watch: Political and labor groups are organizing a demonstration next Tuesday in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reject the expulsion decision. Congress Reset: The National Congress opened the Second Ordinary Legislature of 2026, with Chamber president Alfredo Pacheco sworn in for a tenth time, and lawmakers facing a packed agenda including police and health reforms, a new civil code, cybersecurity, education updates, and measures tied to women’s rights and coastal protection. Disaster Preparedness: President Luis Abinader appointed Erdwin Robert Olivares Luciano as the new COE director, reinforcing national emergency coordination for floods, landslides, earthquakes, and other risks. Housing Rules: A legal explainer says landlords can’t raise rent unilaterally without tenant written consent or specific authorization, and tenants can challenge abusive increases through the housing rent control office. Seismic Risk: A seismic vulnerability study update highlights ongoing evaluations of buildings and road infrastructure as DR pushes prevention for high-risk earthquakes.

Congress Agenda: The National Congress opens the Second Ordinary Legislature of 2026 today, with pending reforms on the National Police, health and mental health laws, the Civil Code, education updates, plus cybersecurity, labor and social security changes, and measures on coastal protection and violence prevention. Seismic Risk Watch: A seismic vulnerability study says the DR must keep evaluating and reinforcing buildings and key infrastructure (schools, hospitals, bridges), noting thousands of assessments already completed as part of disaster prevention. Cuban Diplomatic Fallout: Dominican authorities ordered the departure of nine Cuban diplomats and their families, triggering protests and criticism over the lack of stated reasons; Cuba and some local political figures blame U.S. pressure while others question whether intelligence activity played a role. Telecom Policy: Indotel presented a proposal for a new Telecommunications, Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity law aimed at modernizing the sector and simplifying deployment rules. Education & Labor Pressure: Teachers’ union ADP calls nationwide rallies Aug. 20 demanding payment of incentives and retroactives tied to the Teacher Performance Evaluation. Sports Facilities: INEFI inaugurated a new roofed court at “La Perito,” investing RD$16.17M to benefit 800+ students.

Cuban Diplomats Expelled: The Dominican Republic ordered the departure of at least nine Cuban diplomats and their families from the El Millón embassy area, giving a seven-day deadline; Cuban officials packed belongings under police surveillance while Cuba’s ambassador Ángel Arzuaga Reyes downplayed the move and framed it as a test of resilience. Protest & Political Pushback: Dominican grassroots and political groups called for a demonstration next Tuesday in front of MIREX to reject the expulsion, with critics arguing it serves broader U.S.-aligned geopolitics rather than Dominican interests. Possible Intelligence Rationale: Dominican sources cited by El Día say authorities detected Cuban officials allegedly operating in ways tied to Havana’s intelligence/security services—handled via diplomatic withdrawal rather than declaring them persona non grata. Congress Stalls Key Laws: Lawmakers are set to start the second ordinary session of 2026, but critics point to long-stalled bills on water, labor, cybersecurity, a new civil code, and other major legal reforms. Telecom Overhaul: Indotel presented a proposal for a new Telecommunications, Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity law aimed at modernizing the sector and simplifying approvals. Teachers Mobilize: ADP announced nationwide rallies Aug. 20 demanding payment of teacher performance incentives and retroactives ahead of the new school year.

Cuba-Diplomacy Clash: The Dominican Foreign Ministry ordered nine Cuban diplomats and their families to leave within seven days, triggering sharp criticism at home and abroad as Havana accused Santo Domingo of bowing to U.S. pressure while the DR offered no public reasons. Telecom Overhaul: Indotel unveiled a proposed General Law on Telecommunications, Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity to modernize rules for fiber, mobile generations, satellite links, submarine cables, and data centers—aiming for simpler concessions and a single electronic window. Education Labor Pressure: The Dominican Association of Teachers (ADP) called nationwide rallies for Aug. 20 to demand payment of teacher incentives and retroactives tied to the Teacher Performance Evaluation, with actions planned at district offices and Independencia Park in the National District and Santo Domingo. Housing/Permits Push: MIVHED reported a record 201 construction permits in one month and 1,122 permits in the first seven months of 2026, citing modernization and more transparent permitting. Justice Watch: A driver who struck a Digesett agent after ignoring a red light was sentenced to two years and ordered to pay RD$1 million. Health Research: Abinader’s government backed an INTEC and AI Robotix Alzheimer’s research project using AI to support early diagnosis and treatment research.

Cuba-Diplomacy Escalation: The Dominican Republic ordered nine Cuban embassy officials and their families to leave within seven days, citing Vienna Convention authority but withholding the reasons; Cuba says it’s bowing to U.S. pressure and disputes the number affected. Foreign Policy & Security Alignment: The move lands amid broader regional coordination under the U.S.-led “Shield of the Americas” anti-cartel coalition, with DR repeatedly named among participating countries. Telecom Law Update: Indotel unveiled a proposed General Law on Telecommunications, Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity to modernize rules for fiber, mobile networks, satellite links, submarine cables, data centers, and to tighten consumer protections and cybersecurity. Education Leadership Change: President Abinader appointed Dinorah García Romero as rector of ISFODOSU via Decree 517-26, replacing the prior rector. Housing Permitting Push: MIVHED reported a record 201 construction permits in one month and 1,122 permits in the first seven months of 2026, citing modernization and transparency in the permitting system. Tax & Economy: Commentary on the June tax reform argues it was rushed through Congress in seven days, creating unclear compliance rules despite aims to strengthen public finances. Public Safety Case: A driver who struck a Digesett agent after ignoring a red light was sentenced to two years and ordered to pay RD$1 million.

Cuba-Dominican Diplomatic Rift: The Dominican Republic ordered nine Cuban embassy diplomats and their families to leave within seven days, citing Article 9 of the Vienna Convention and offering no public reasons; Cuba called it “subservience” to U.S. pressure and said the expulsions would damage ties. U.S. Pressure Claims: Dominican opposition leaders and political figures said Washington’s influence drove the move, while Havana pointed to DR alignment with U.S. policy. Foreign Policy Fallout: The episode is unfolding amid wider regional U.S.-Cuba tensions, with social media reactions in both countries and lawmakers weighing in. Trade & Security Backdrop: A separate White House report flags a “shadow transshipment network” tied to tariff evasion, listing the Dominican Republic among countries at elevated risk. Local Mobility Snapshot: DGII data shows the DR vehicle fleet hit 6.64M in 2025, with women owning about 1.1M vehicles and growing faster than men. Energy Resilience: ETED says large battery storage will help stabilize the national grid and improve restoration capability after outages. Weather Watch: Indomet reports Tropical Storm Cristóbal has weakened and poses no threat, while monitoring new disturbances and warning of possible flooding in parts of the country.

Diplomacy Under Strain: The Dominican Republic ordered the expulsion of nine Cuban diplomats and their families, giving them seven days to leave, citing Vienna Convention powers but offering no reasons—prompting Havana to denounce the move as “submission” to U.S. pressure and to dispute the number of officials affected. Geopolitics & Security: The expulsions land as the U.S.-led “Shield of the Americas” expands, with Colombia joining joint anti-cartel operations and the Dominican Republic participating in a regional forum in Panama focused on intelligence-sharing and border security. Public Accountability: The U.S. State Department flagged the Dominican Republic among Caribbean states with fiscal transparency gaps, noting it publishes key budget documents on time but still lacks enough independence at its supreme audit institution. Defense Modernization: President Abinader inaugurated a new military training complex, including virtual tactical training and “Zero Line” physical-tactical facilities, aimed at boosting readiness and reducing live-ammunition use. Local Governance: A traffic calming pilot will start Aug. 17 in Santo Domingo’s Colonial City, restricting through traffic to cut congestion and conflicts around the historic district.

PRM Six-Year Claim: José Ignacio Paliza told Listín Diario the Dominican Republic is “better than six years ago,” citing electricity improvements while admitting challenges remain on stable service and affordable rates. Telecom Policy Push: CAN­TO leaders at its Punta Cana conference urged more regional integration and investment to close the digital gap, warning the Caribbean risks falling behind in AI, fintech, and digital government. Migration Clarification: The General Directorate of Migration said travel bans only block departures with a formal court order routed via the Attorney General’s Office, after social media alleged wrongful detentions at airports. Electoral Poll Warning: The JCE notified Centro Económico del Cibao for publishing an opinion poll outside the permitted electoral period ahead of the 2028 race. ONAPI Accountability: ONAPI director Salvador Ramos reported growth in registrations and renewals of distinctive signs, plus university partnerships tied to training and innovation support. Santo Domingo 2026 Legacy: Abinader announced expanded incentives via PARNI for medalists starting 2027, as the Games’ record haul continues to shape policy and funding. Connectivity Investment: Google unveiled “Americas Connect,” with the Dominican Republic positioned as a hub for new subsea cable links spanning the Caribbean, U.S., and Europe. Local Governance Tie-Up: Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía and Aguadilla’s Julio Roldán signed a sister-city agreement covering trade, tourism, education, culture, and municipal governance.

Regional Security: The Dominican Republic joined a Panama forum of Americas security and defense officials to coordinate strategies against drug trafficking and transnational criminal groups, with the Shield of the Americas liaison among the delegation. Higher Education & National Identity: UASD held its 163rd Restoration anniversary graduation, awarding 1,058 new postgraduate professionals under Rector Asjana David and dedicating the ceremony to Colombia and Venezuela earthquake victims. Health Policy: INCORT marked 28 years of organ, tissue, and cell donation work, urging stronger public support for transplantation culture. Tech & Infrastructure: Google announced “Americas Connect,” placing the Dominican Republic at the center of three new subsea cable systems (Alisios, Canoa, OlaLuz) to boost redundant connectivity across the Caribbean, U.S., Europe, and Latin America. Sports & Government Incentives: President Abinader announced expanded incentives via PARNI for Santo Domingo 2026 medalists, as the government prepares to reward athletes and coaches after the Games’ record medal haul. Local Governance: Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía and Aguadilla Mayor Julio Roldán Concepción signed a sister-city cooperation deal covering trade, tourism, culture, environment, and municipal governance.

Telecom & Digital Economy: Indotel’s Guido Gómez Mazara told CANTO in Punta Cana that the DR wants to boost competitiveness and inclusion through major digital investment—more than US$500M for digital infrastructure, expanded 4G/5G, and new submarine cable connectivity—while pushing a national AI strategy and tighter spectrum management. Regional Digital Sovereignty: Economic Affairs Minister Jerome Fitzgerald urged Caribbean governments to coordinate on a “digital sovereignty” pact to avoid “digital colonization,” proposing shared cloud and compute infrastructure backed by multiple cable routes. Governance & Oversight: A Diario Libre audit found the Agriculture Ministry accounted for only RD$4.34B of RD$7.51B in payments (Sep 2023–Dec 2024) and that most reviewed procurement lacked proper documentation. Legislative Accountability: Diario Libre also reports senators racked up 103 excused absences across 26 sessions, with no recorded unjustified absences. Elections & Party Politics: PRM’s new organization secretary Gloria Reyes says the party should set clear rules for internal competition ahead of 2028 primaries. Sports & Public Spending: The government will pay RD$75.5M+ in incentives for Santo Domingo 2026 medalists, and Abinader will host a recognition luncheon for athletes. Seismic Safety Debate: An architect warns it’s inaccurate to claim all DR buildings are earthquake-ready; safety depends on construction era, rules at the time, and whether they were followed. Migration & U.S. Ties: The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo is ranked second globally for immigrant visa processing, and the DR is also tied to a new U.S. bond pilot for some applicants. Disaster Response: The DR opened a collection center at the 27 de Febrero Naval Base to support Colombia after the 7.4 earthquake and is monitoring the safety of Dominicans in-country. Infrastructure & Tech: Google announced new Americas Connect subsea cables with the Dominican Republic as a key junction, including links to Panama, Chile, Bermuda, and Florida. Weather Alert: COE placed Greater Santo Domingo and San Cristóbal under green alert for a tropical wave bringing afternoon rain and thunderstorms.

Energy & Mining: Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos says the Pedernales rare earth exploration project is in an advanced stage, with a resource declaration planned for November and reserves expected to be declared by early 2027. Courts & Public Safety: A National District court ordered three months of preventive detention for Yeudi Miguel Hernández Rodríguez (“Yeo”) in the San Carlos murder case, after a robbery-turned-shooting left Yeuri Rodríguez Batista dead. Weather & Civil Defense: COE placed Greater Santo Domingo and San Cristóbal under green alert due to a tropical wave bringing afternoon downpours, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. Housing & Permits: MIVHED presented progress on the Permitting Modernization Plan, including a new state-owned digital platform aimed at more transparent, traceable construction permitting. Digital Infrastructure: Google announced new Americas subsea cable systems that add the Dominican Republic as a key junction, including links to Panama, Chile, Bermuda, and Florida. Sports & State Support: Miderec will distribute RD$75.5 million in incentives to Santo Domingo 2026 medalists, including RD$300,000 per gold for individuals. Humanitarian Aid: The Dominican government opened a donation collection center for Colombia earthquake relief at the Navy base in Santo Domingo Este. Health Policy: Public Health and DNCD launched a national study using drug-detection tests to assess psychoactive substances in trauma-hospital traffic accident cases.

Colombia Earthquake Response: President Luis Abinader sent condolences and pledged Dominican support after a powerful 7.4 quake struck Colombia, while Aerodom said flights between the Dominican Republic and Colombia’s main hubs (Bogotá and Medellín) are operating normally. Public Integrity in Focus: The Public Ministry formally accused prosecutor Aurelio Valdez Alcántara of alleged bribery tied to a SeNaSa corruption probe and asked that the case go to trial. Justice System Watch: The TSE rejected a bid to halt 2026 state funding rules for political parties, and the ROI warned that Supreme Court magistrates opting out of CNM evaluations could weaken public trust. Education Rollout: Minerd began national training for the 2026-2027 school year, preparing 11,098 teacher trainers ahead of classes returning Aug. 24 for more than 2 million students. Energy & Economy: Abinader visited the San Felipe Andrés I plant in Boca Chica, a 467 MW project, as tourism hit a record 7.7 million visitors through July. Sports & Politics: A presidential bus was delivered to gold medalist Marileidy Paulino, and thousands celebrated Santo Domingo 2026 athletes with a citywide caravan.