AGP Executive Report

U.S. Tariff Shock for DR Exports: The Trump administration’s new forced-labor tariff wave hits the Dominican Republic at 12.5% (up from the prior 10% surcharge), raising costs and threatening export competitiveness, according to DR exporters and business groups. Trade & Industry Fallout: The National Council of Textile Organizations warns USTR’s Section 301 “textile mechanism” could end up hurting U.S. textile makers and supply chains, even as it targets forced-labor enforcement gaps. Justice Access Expansion: The Attorney General’s Office inaugurated a Comprehensive Justice Access Center in Bahoruco, adding a unit for gender-based and sexual violence cases and legal representation services. Road Safety Pressure: Movido Foundation renewed calls for real enforcement of mobility law after UN road-safety envoy Jean Todt called Dominican traffic a “disaster,” criticizing stalled photo-fines and weak implementation. Food Security Summit in Santo Domingo: The DR will host a Latin American food security summit (Red SPAA) Aug. 11–13, with President Abinader set to open the meeting. Tourism & Markets: Tourism Minister David Collado said recovering the Russian market is a priority, while connectivity limits remain a key hurdle. Sports Spotlight (CAC Games): Esmeralda Damiano won gold in judo (-70kg) at Santo Domingo 2026, adding to the host country’s medal momentum.

Community & Security: The Dominican Republic Army and the General Directorate of Community Development ran a medical and social assistance day in Barahona’s Los Solares de Milton, with SeNaSa support, as officials said the effort follows President Luis Abinader’s directives to reach vulnerable neighborhoods. Justice Access: The Attorney General’s Office inaugurated a Comprehensive Justice Access Center in Bahoruco (Neyba), adding a unit for gender-based, domestic and sexual violence victims and legal representation services. Tourism & Markets: Tourism Minister David Collado said “recovering the Russian market” is a priority, citing air-connection limits and noting authorities are hearing from Russian tour operators. Trade Shock: The U.S. rolled out forced-labor Section 301 tariffs on 60 economies, including the Dominican Republic, with rates reported at 12.5% for DR-bound goods—raising pressure on exporters and contracts. Sports Diplomacy: Santo Domingo 2026 opened with Abinader’s inauguration of the Games, while Dominican judoka Esmeralda Damiano won gold in -70kg judo and the Cuban delegation faced scrutiny after a field hockey player defected, with his family later pleading for help. Public Safety: DNCD and the Public Ministry carried out eastern raids, arresting nine and seizing over 3.5 kilograms of narcotics. Food Costs Politics: Former President Danilo Medina attacked government food-basket policies, saying families are cutting meals as prices rise. Property Regularization: Abinader delivered 1,000 property title certificates in Los Frailes, calling it legal security and social justice for thousands.

Central American & Caribbean Games: President Luis Abinader officially inaugurated the XXV CAC Games Santo Domingo 2026 at Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, marking the event’s centenary with a tech-heavy ceremony and a full parade of delegations. Public Health & Local Oversight: Abinader inaugurated the renovated Hacienda Estrella Municipal Hospital in Santo Domingo Norte, pledging better care for 60,000 residents and calling for a community oversight commission to protect the facility. Justice & Free Speech: Lawyer Eduardo Saint-Hilaire warned that the new Penal Code could chill reporting, arguing certain defamation and discrimination articles are too vague and could become a “gag law.” Anti-Drug Operations: DNCD and the Public Ministry carried out raids in the east, arresting nine and seizing more than 3,580 grams of narcotics plus cash, phones, and scales. Property Regularization: Abinader delivered 1,000 property title certificates in Los Frailes, framing the move as legal security and a boost to families’ ability to access finance. U.S. Tariffs Watch: Dominican exporters warned Trump’s forced-labor tariff changes could raise costs and weaken competitiveness, with the DR facing a higher 12.5% rate under the new U.S. scheme. Road Safety Pressure: Movido criticized ongoing traffic enforcement failures after UN road-safety envoy Jean Todt called Dominican traffic a “disaster,” urging real implementation of Law 63-17.

Property Rights & Social Justice: President Luis Abinader delivered 1,000 property titles in Los Frailes, saying the documents end years of land-tenure uncertainty and help families access credit and invest. Public Safety & Enforcement: The DNCD and Public Ministry carried out raids in the east, arresting suspects and seizing controlled substances and equipment in San Pedro de Macorís, Hato Mayor, Juan Dolio and Monte Plata. Road Safety Push: The Movido Foundation warned that traffic chaos persists due to weak enforcement of mobility and road-safety rules, calling out stalled photo-fines, inspection gaps, and slow penalty collection. U.S. Tariffs Shock to Exports: Dominican exporters warned new U.S. forced-labor tariffs could raise costs and reduce competitiveness, with the rate moving up to 12.5% for affected goods. Trade Response: Santo Domingo issued Decree 502-26 to block imports tied to forced labor, naming Customs as the lead agency. Games Watch: Abinader inaugurated the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, while OMSA set up free transit for attendees via a new Parque del Este connection route.

US Tariff Shock & DR Response: The U.S. imposed new 10%–12.5% Section 301 forced-labor tariffs on 60 economies as the earlier Section 122 surcharge expired, and the Dominican Republic moved fast with Decree 502-26 to block imports linked to forced labor, putting Customs (DGA) in charge alongside the Labor and Foreign Affairs ministries. Cuba Trade Push: Santo Domingo resumed egg exports to Cuba, shipping about 3.9 million eggs in the first batch and aiming for 13 million a month, enabled by a new subsidy for maritime transport. Santo Domingo 2026 Logistics: OMSA launched a free Games bus route to Parque del Este and says 400 buses are lined up for athletes and volunteers, while organizers highlight political backing from Abinader and Medina for the event. Regional Integration Debate: A new argument for DR joining CARICOM says the country’s growth could expand the regional market and investment—especially as Haiti’s crisis remains a key obstacle. Public Safety & Infrastructure: FUDEC and ONESVIE urged stronger earthquake preparedness, citing major faults and the need for better building assessments. Travel Services: DR will let passengers renew passports at five airports under a new DA–DGP agreement, supporting the rollout of biometric passports.

Forced-Labor Trade Crackdown: The U.S. rolled out new 10%–12.5% tariffs on 60 economies, including the Dominican Republic, tied to forced-labor claims—prompting Santo Domingo to respond with Decree 502-26 authorizing Customs to block, re-export, or destroy suspect imports. Local Government & Debt: In Congress, the Chamber of Deputies approved two international loans totaling over US$465M—US$200M for road safety and US$265M for the Yuna River Basin—despite opposition warnings that the country can’t keep borrowing without visible results. Health System Upgrade: The National Health Service says the first phase of intervention at Salvador B. Gautier Hospital starts next week, including emergency expansion and renovations to keep care running. Games Logistics: OMSA launched free “Connection service to the Parque del Este” for the Central American and Caribbean Games, linking Metro access and deploying 400 buses for athletes and volunteers. Travel Services: The DR will let passengers renew passports at five airports under a new DA–DGP agreement, supporting the shift to biometric passports. Competition Law Update: ProCompetencia urged modernizing antitrust rules for the digital economy, platforms, and cross-border business.

US Tariff Shock for DR: The Trump administration is imposing a 12.5% tariff on Dominican Republic imports starting Friday, replacing a temporary 10% levy, as Washington cites alleged failures to enforce forced-labor import bans under Section 301. Central American Games Push: As Santo Domingo 2026 opens, the DR is using the spotlight to sell tourism and luxury investment, with major venue and infrastructure spending and an expected surge of visitors. Games Logistics & Traffic: The government orders Greater Santo Domingo agencies to end the workday at 1:00 p.m. Friday to ease congestion for the Games opening, while emergency services ran a casualty drill at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center. Diplomatic Tension: The DR recalls its ambassador to Nicaragua for consultations after Ortega’s claim that Nicaragua will hold no more elections, citing the Inter-American Democratic Charter. Public Safety Focus: The Intrant highlights road-safety measures at the UN, including helmet standards and a “One Motorcycle, One Helmet” push, after 2025 crash deaths totaled 2,992. Free Zones 4.0: Adozona and CNZFE promote Free Zones 4.0, stressing skills, innovation, and competitiveness to attract higher-value investment.

Diplomacy & Democracy: The Dominican government ordered the recall of its ambassador to Nicaragua for consultations after Ortega said elections will not be held again, calling it a rejection of representative democracy. Courts & Public Safety: A court ordered three months of preventive detention for Alex Orlando Raposo Gómez over a Pedro Brand case involving 243.40 kilos of cocaine found in hidden compartments. Trade & Tariffs: The U.S. will apply an additional 12.5% tariff on certain Dominican products starting Friday, with limited transit exceptions—raising fresh pressure for exporters. Elections Oversight: The TSE kicked an appeal over JCE polling-firm and poll-publication rules to the Constitutional Court, saying the challenge falls under concentrated constitutional review. Santo Domingo 2026 Prep: The government shortened the workday for Greater Santo Domingo agencies to 1:00 p.m. Friday ahead of the Games opening, and IDAC banned unauthorized drones near venues. Aviation & Connectivity: Santo Domingo hosted a CLAC aviation summit focused on open skies, safety, and expanding regional air links. Energy & Climate Resilience: ADIE urged stronger resilience planning for the electricity system as climate risks grow. Agriculture & Exports: DR resumed egg exports to Cuba, shipping about 3.9 million eggs after a suspension tied to logistics and the U.S. blockade. Road Safety: Intrant reaffirmed road-safety commitments at the UN, including helmet standards and training 300,000 high school students. Oversight of Waste Trust: Abinader created a citizen oversight commission for the DO Sostenible solid-waste trust to boost transparency and monitoring.

Democracy & Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic condemned Nicaragua’s Ortega after he said there will be “no more elections,” calling it a rejection of representative democracy and urging Nicaraguans’ right to competitive polls. Climate & Energy Costs: Industry groups warn climate change is already hitting the economy—energy resilience is now framed as a budget and competitiveness issue, with projections of major GDP losses without adaptation. Anti-Corruption & Oversight: President Abinader created a Citizen Oversight Commission for the DO Sostenible solid-waste trust, aiming to boost transparency through public monitoring and recommendations. Justice & Criminal Law: The Senate approved urgent Penal Code amendments, clearing the way for a new legal framework; separately, a man sentenced to 30 years claims he was convicted without proof and asks for a case review. Cross-Border Crime Fight: DR and Chile signed a bilateral deal to form a Joint Investigation Team targeting trafficking, migrant smuggling, money laundering, and corruption. Haiti Security: Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez met Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force representative to discuss deployment and next steps to strengthen operations. Sports & State Capacity: With the CAC Games opening July 24, Abinader is set to attend the inauguration, while venues are declared ready and delegations continue arriving. Migration Enforcement (Regional): U.S. CBP and Border Patrol, with local partners, detained 37 migrants in two maritime smuggling interdictions off Puerto Rico.

Energy & Mines Payroll Probe: An audit backed by the Comptroller General found major irregularities in the Ministry of Energy and Mines’ staffing and payments in 2020-2021, including 429 employees marked absent, double payroll/retroactives totaling RD$57.8M, off-scale salaries, and continued payroll entries for some flagged cases. Citizen Oversight: President Luis Abinader created a Citizen Oversight Commission for the DO Sostenible Trust via decree, tasked with monitoring solid-waste project spending and publishing public accountability reports. Education Calendar: Minerd confirmed the 2026-2027 school year starts August 24 nationwide, rejecting rumors of a September delay. Anti-Corruption Spotlight: Transparency International praised the DR’s anti-graft push ahead of the International Anti-Corruption Conference in December. Games Build-Up: Cuba’s delegation arrival adds athletes and medical staff for Santo Domingo 2026, while DR officials also marked the event’s wider regional mourning gestures and sports tourism momentum. Meta RD 2036 Forum: Government announced the first Meta RD 2036 Forum on August 5 to map reforms aimed at doubling the economy by 2036. Road Safety Training: Intrant graduated 58 more “Traffic Guardians,” expanding a program that trains students for road-safety and the path to learner permits.

Anti-Corruption Push: The Dominican Republic is set to host the International Anti-Corruption Conference in December, touting major CPI gains over six years while warning that court delays and weak sanctions still threaten real progress. Education & Tech Skills: MESCYT signed a deal with Casio to train teachers and students in AI, robotics, and science/tech—aimed at feeding the country’s fast-growing digital economy. Road Safety Training: Intrant graduated 58 more “Traffic Guardians,” bringing the program to 620 trained so far, with participants completing required service hours toward learner permits. Food Security Breakthrough: FAO confirmed the DR has exited the World Hunger Map after undernourishment fell below 2.5%, crediting coordinated public policy and social programs. Police Reform & Accountability: Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful says police abuses won’t go unpunished, highlighting body cameras, training, and referrals to prosecutors as reform continues. Penal Code Momentum: The Chamber of Deputies’ interior commission is seeking more time to study police-law changes, while debate over Penal Code amendments continues to move under tight deadlines. Games Logistics: With the Santo Domingo 2026 CAC Games underway, the government says infrastructure and organization investment is about RD$9 billion, and free mass transit is ordered for the event.

Penal Code Push: The Chamber of Deputies approved controversial Penal Code amendments in second reading, sending the 40-clause package to the Senate with a tight end-of-session deadline before the new code takes effect on Aug. 3. Police Reform Watch: Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful says police abuses won’t go unpunished as the government rolls out body cameras, training for 12,000+ officers, and a prevention-focused security plan. Public Safety Debate: Archbishop Carlos Tomás Morel warned that legislation alone won’t curb violence, arguing family and faith must be rebuilt. Budget Moves: The government submitted a bill to amend the 2026 General State Budget, boosting spending and reallocations while targeting priority institutions. Gender Violence Funding: The Senate advanced a law to channel confiscated assets into programs for victims of gender-based and domestic violence. Food Security Milestone: The DR received FAO’s “Zero Hunger” declaration and is removed from the hunger map after undernourishment fell below 2.5%. Haiti Cooperation: Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez urged faster implementation of Haiti security mechanisms and renewed support for the Gang Suppression Force. Games Logistics: Metro, Teleférico, and Omsa buses will be free during Santo Domingo 2026, while competitions began and the government cites major infrastructure investment. Tourism Connectivity: WestJet launched a new Winnipeg–Punta Cana nonstop route for winter 2026-27.

Penal Code Push: The Chamber of Deputies approved controversial Penal Code amendments in second reading (120-17), sending the bill to the Senate with a tight end-of-session deadline before the new code takes effect on Aug. 3; Police Reform: Interior Minister Faride Raful says the government is pushing a “no impunity” police transformation, citing bodycams, new training, and transparency steps; Haiti Security: Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez urged faster full implementation of the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force and Haiti’s security overhaul, while the U.S. envoy at the UN echoed that Haiti’s gangs are a regional threat; Gender Violence Funding: The Senate advanced a law creating an institute to manage seized assets, with funds earmarked to strengthen prevention and care tied to gender-based and domestic violence; Local Governance for Games: Metro, Teleférico, and OMSA buses will be free during Santo Domingo 2026, alongside continued pavilion handovers ahead of the Games; Transport Tensions: Fenatrano leaders accuse Senator Antonio Marte/Conatra of trying to reshape bus corridors and route rights, calling for an investigation; Health System Output: SNS logged a historic 25.39 million specialized services in the first half of 2026, alongside major equipment investments.

Haiti Security, U.S.-DR Coordination: U.S. UN envoy Mike Waltz backed the Dominican Republic’s view that Haiti’s gang crisis is a regional security threat, while DR’s foreign minister urged the UN Security Council to renew the Gang Suppression Force and push faster deployment. Gender Violence Funding: The Senate approved a bill creating a national institute to manage seized assets, with a major share of proceeds earmarked for prevention, protection, and care programs tied to gender-based and domestic violence. Haiti Border Readiness: Abinader attended the Defense Ministry’s delivery of drones, Centauro tactical vehicles, and new equipment aimed at boosting border security and operational capacity. Greater Santo Domingo Traffic Relief: Abinader inaugurated the Plaza de la Bandera tunnel, a 1.2-kilometer, four-lane project meant to cut congestion and improve southern connectivity. Gambling Law Backlash: Sectors criticized a Senate gambling bill for allegedly violating the 500-meter distance rule, with concerns that it could fuel wider betting access. Mango Export Pressure: The U.S. temporarily suspended Dominican mango imports over phytosanitary compliance issues, while DR said most shipments were already underway and new monitoring protocols are being adopted. Transport Union Tensions: Fenatrano leader Juan Hubieres accused Senator Antonio Marte of trying to control bus corridors and called for an investigation into route rights and related contracts. Santo Domingo 2026 Build-Up: The Cayman Islands named its athletes for the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, and Comipol deployed support for delegations and event traffic. Blue Hispaniola Launch: A binational marine conservation project kicked off to strengthen the blue economy corridor and coastal livelihoods across Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Penal Code Pushback: Dominican Liberation Party leader Johnny Pujols says the Penal Code reform has ambiguous articles that could weaken legal certainty and freedom of expression, urging a deeper review before final approval. Penal Code Momentum in Congress: The Chamber of Deputies approved 32 Penal Code modifications in first reading, including changes to privacy-related dissemination rules and reduced penalties for perjury and defamation. Traffic Relief for Greater Santo Domingo: President Luis Abinader inaugurated the Plaza de la Bandera underpass, a 1.2-kilometer tunnel meant to cut congestion at a key transit junction. Games Security and Mobility: Comipol will manage traffic and security for the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, with road assistance and protection for delegations. Public Works Updates: Los Alcarrizos cable car Line 2 resumes Monday after scheduled maintenance, with OMSA buses covering the route. Health Diplomacy: Dominican EMT-RD returned from a 12-day humanitarian mission in Venezuela, reporting 2,502 patients treated. Agriculture Exports: Agriculture Ministry expanded phytosanitary steps to boost Dominican mango exports to Europe and the U.S., including tighter fruit-fly monitoring.

Penal Code Reform Debate: PLD secretary general Johnny Pujols says the proposed Penal Code amendments include ambiguous articles that could undermine legal certainty and freedom of expression, flagging provisions on “outrage,” discrimination/degrading treatment, and “extortionate defamation.” Legislative Progress: The Chamber of Deputies approved 32 Penal Code modifications in first reading, including limits on sanctions for non-consensual audio/video in private settings and reduced penalties for perjury and defamation. Public Debt Clash: Former president Danilo Medina argues Abinader’s government has driven public debt to record levels, while defending his own administration’s figures. Health & Diplomacy: Dominican EMT-RD professionals returned from a 12-day Venezuela mission, treating 2,502 people, as DR also sent 1,749 vaccines to Venezuelan health authorities. Infrastructure & Transport: President Abinader inaugurated projects in Greater Santo Domingo, including a Los Alcarrizos solid waste transfer station, and the Los Alcarrizos cable car resumes Monday after scheduled maintenance. Agriculture Exports: The Agriculture Ministry tightened phytosanitary controls to expand Dominican mango exports to Europe and the U.S., including stronger fruit-fly monitoring. Energy Safety Warning: A LPG mixture proposal to raise propane to 90% drew warnings from industry figures about higher explosion risk due to cylinder condition. Immigration Policy Watch (US): A new U.S. rule ends “duration of status” for F/J/I visa holders, limiting stays to up to four years for students and exchange visitors.