AGP Executive Report

Public Health for Games: SNS director Julio César Landrón says the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games are proving the Public Health Network’s readiness, citing coverage across 200+ hospitals, 1,710 primary care units, and nearly 89,000 workers, with free care for athletes and visitors ordered by President Luis Abinader. Health Policy: The Ministry of Public Health, with PAHO/WHO support, is pushing 100% smoke-free environments and held a “Unfiltered” youth meeting to build support for tobacco-free public spaces. Criminal Investigation: Police and prosecutors are searching for Emanuel Hernández in the death of Rebeca Brizard after alleged cosmetic surgery, checking whether he had proper credentials and legal authorization. Political Watch: Influencer-businessman “Alofoke” says he will not accept a PRSC presidential nomination and instead plans to form his own party for the 2028 elections, with a deadline to register it by Feb. 20, 2027.

Energy & Infrastructure: The Dominican Republic hit a new electricity demand record again Tuesday night, with SENI logging an instantaneous peak of 4,277 MW—up from Monday’s 4,203 MW—showing sustained summer strain and rising consumption. Health Tourism Policy: The Senate approved on first reading a bill to create a National Council for the Development of Health Tourism (Condetusa), aiming to make health tourism a national priority and set quality, safety, and certification rules for international patients. Constitutional Court Watch: The Constitutional Court struck down a 2006 decree that permanently restricted alcohol sales hours, saying such general limits must be set by law, not executive decree. Environment & Property Boundaries: The Court also upheld a decision requiring the Environment Ministry to update protected-area records for Jaragua National Park, excluding four parcels after legal challenges over the park’s boundaries. Public Services & Local Health: President Luis Abinader delivered the renovated Hacienda Estrella Municipal Hospital, settling a 20+ year debt with the community through a RD$103.8M investment. Consumer Protection: Pro Consumidor and COB-RD signed an agreement to curb abusive debt collection, including limits on unwanted calls and stricter rules for digital collection practices.

US Tariff Pressure on DR Exports: The U.S. imposed a 12.5% Section 301 tariff on Dominican exports, with trade analysts pointing to Chinese-owned Kingtom Aluminio S.R.L. as a key target after a prior forced-labor finding. Constitutional Court on Jaragua Park: The Dominican Constitutional Court upheld a ruling requiring the Environment Ministry to update protected-area maps, excluding four parcels from Jaragua National Park. Penal Code Rollout: The Executive enacted the new Penal Code via Decree No. 507-26 and created a monitoring commission; the Ombudsman also pushed for a bicameral commission to track implementation. State Competitiveness Forum: Minpre and the National Council of Competitiveness will host the Meta RD 2036 Forum Aug. 5 with President Abinader and international experts. Consumer Protection on Debt Collection: Pro Consumidor and COB-RD signed an agreement to curb abusive debt-collection practices, including unwanted calls and improper digital contact. Energy Demand Record: SENI hit a new July peak of 4,203 MW. Tourism & Travel Tech: Punta Cana airport rolled out automated border-control kiosks, and the DR promoted a regional “open skies” deal.

Penal Code Overhaul: The Dominican Executive promulgated the new Penal Code via Decree No. 507-26 and set up a monitoring commission chaired by Milton Ray Guevara to track implementation and propose future reforms. Legal Deadline Fight: Lawyers publicly debated whether the 4-year criminal-procedure limit has expired in the Jean Alain Rodríguez case, with claims the prosecution’s delays could make the process “extinct.” Energy Watch: SENI hit a new July peak, delivering 4,203 MW at 8:56 p.m., with officials warning more demand spikes are likely through late summer. Public Finance Pressure: New debt in the first five months of 2026 surged past RD$374 billion, outpacing the Education budget. Border Tech for Tourism: Punta Cana airport rolled out automated border-control kiosks to speed arrivals and reduce direct contact with immigration agents. Education Prep: Minerd says it’s ready for the 2026-2027 school year, distributing millions of textbooks/workbooks and planning new classrooms. Health Access: Public Health reported progress securing treatment coverage for children with spinal muscular atrophy through the High-Cost Medication Program. Sports Hub Moment: Santo Domingo is positioning itself as the regional sports hub as the Central American and Caribbean Games continue, with officials touting early medal momentum.

Fire Response in Herrera: A blaze at a Chinese store in Santo Domingo West’s Herrera industrial zone mobilized multiple fire departments and 911 drone units; police, Comipol, Digesett, and an ambulance were also dispatched, and authorities reported no injuries so far. Food Security Milestone: The FAO confirmed the Dominican Republic has exited the World Hunger Map, citing undernourishment below 2.5%, with Abinader crediting political will, agricultural financing, road and irrigation investment, and property titles for small and medium producers. Tourism Push (Cabarete): Mitur launched the “Cabarete Surf and Wind City” campaign in Miami Beach to market Cabarete’s year-round surfing and kitesurfing conditions to the Americas, Europe, and the Caribbean. Education & Democracy: The Ministry of Education submitted the DR’s bid to host the 2028 World Schools Debate Championship, highlighting debate as a tool for critical thinking and democratic coexistence. Public Ethics & Digital Transformation: ITLA rector Jimmy Rosario Bernard and DIGEIG director Milagros Ortiz Bosch agreed on a joint agenda to expand internships, support DIGEIG’s digital work, and train public officials. Environment (Yaque del Norte): The Environment Ministry said it’s advancing restoration of the Yaque del Norte River basin through reforestation, soil conservation, and a US$90M Green Climate Fund project. Sports & Youth Baseball: LIDOM named Welington Castillo to manage the Dominican team at the III Kids Caribbean Series in Mexico. Trade & Compliance (DP World): DP World announced ISO 13485 certification in the DR to strengthen compliant logistics for medical device manufacturers.

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.