The Dominican Republic; AI Regulation in Public Services; Biometric Surveillance Restrictions; Cybersecurity and Data Protection.

Friday, November 6, 2026. The Dominican Republic: Beauty, Momentum, and an Island of Contrasts Some countries draw you in with their scenery. Others with their energy. The Dominican Republic offers both. From the beaches of Punta Cana to the green mountains of Jarabacoa and the spectacular coastline of Samaná, this is a country whose appeal stretches well beyond a resort lounge chair. Its landscapes invite exploration, whether that means mountain waterfalls, coastal villages, or the seasonal arrival of humpback whales in Samaná Bay. Then there is its cultural heartbeat: the historic streets of Santo Domingo’s UNESCO-listed Colonial City and the rhythms of merengue and bachata, both recognized by UNESCO as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage. Here, history and music belong as much to the experience as the sea and sunshine. The world is certainly paying attention. According to Dominican tourism authorities, the country welcomed 9.24 million visitors during the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 7.5% over the same period last year and approximately 60% above 2019. That total includes roughly 7.14 million arrivals by air and 2.10 million cruise passengers, a distinction worth making when measuring the scale of the boom. Following our recent looks at El Salvador and Haiti, the Dominican Republic brings us to one of the region’s most striking contrasts. Two nations share the island of Hispaniola, yet their present circumstances differ profoundly. While the Dominican Republic welcomes growing numbers of visitors, Haiti faces widespread gang violence, interrupted democratic processes, and the displacement of nearly 1.5 million people. Shared geography has not produced shared fortunes. That contrast deserves examination, but it cannot explain either country on its own. The Dominican Republic’s progress extends beyond tourism: the World Bank reports that its economic growth has outpaced the regional average over the past two decades, helping lift nearly three million people out of poverty. The next challenge is to broaden those gains through better jobs, public services, and resilience to environmental risks. This week, we turn our attention to a beautiful country with momentum and to the questions behind that momentum. What is attracting so many visitors? How widely are the benefits reaching? And how does a nation build on its success while sharing an island with a neighbor in profound crisis? Welcome to the Dominican Republic. Brett Mikkelson Founder, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: President Luis Abinader Warns He Will Not Allow Haitian Gangs Within 20 Kilometers of the Border and Assures That It Is Under the Highest Level of Protection President Luis Abinader stated on Monday that the Dominican border is currently at its highest level of protection and warned that the government will not allow Haitian criminal gangs to operate within 20 kilometers of national territory. These measures are part of preventive efforts to safeguard the sovereignty, peace, and security of the Dominican Republic. The president explained that although Haiti continues to face a deep security crisis, there is currently no heightened threat to the Dominican Republic, due to strengthened border surveillance, improved preparation and equipment for the Armed Forces, and the presence of international forces helping contain the expansion of criminal organizations in the neighboring country. “Haiti’s instability has never reached our border, not even close to it. We will act in coordination with the Haitian government, but we will not allow these gangs within 20 kilometers of the border,” the head of state stated. President Luis Abinader recalled that the availability of personnel and armored vehicles within the Dominican Armed Forces has increased significantly. He also noted that surveillance capabilities have been strengthened through the use of drones, air and naval resources have been expanded, and military intelligence capabilities have been enhanced. Haitian Gangs Have Not Advanced Toward the Dominican Border During the presentation on the security situation in Haiti, Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre explained that although criminal gangs control at least 70% of Port-au-Prince and major logistical corridors, population movements are occurring primarily toward western Haiti rather than toward border crossings with the Dominican Republic. He also stated that continuous monitoring is being maintained in both Jimaní and Elías Piña. He highlighted that at least two Haitian self-defense groups protecting their communities are positioned between the nearest gangs and the Dominican border, helping prevent movements toward border areas. The minister further assured that, according to intelligence reports, there is no organized criminal gang presence in northern Haiti, particularly in Ouanaminthe (Juana Méndez), a border town opposite Dajabón. “For the Dominican Republic, the priority at this time is to anticipate potential consequences, maintain border response capabilities, and prepare decisions based on verifiable indicators and forward-looking scenarios,” he stated. Foreign Minister Víctor Bisonó Explains Why the Dominican Republic Is Not Directly Participating in Military Operations in Haiti For his part, Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó explained that the Dominican Republic is not participating in direct military operations against Haitian gangs due to the principles governing United Nations international peace missions. He noted that, given historical precedents, direct military involvement by a neighboring country within another nation’s territory could raise questions about impartiality, create risks of direct involvement in the conflict, undermine legitimacy and credibility, and potentially trigger a regional escalation. However, he reported that logistical cooperation is being maintained with the UN-approved Gang Suppression Force (GSF). This includes facilitating the transit and deployment of international contingents entering Haiti through Dominican territory, providing support for medical evacuations of civilian and military personnel, authorizing humanitarian air operations, facilitating the transportation of blood supplies and other essential materials, and assisting with the transfer of equipment and military cargo intended for the mission. Currently, approximately 2,181 international personnel are deployed in Haiti, while the goal is to reach a contingent of approximately 5,500 members over the next three months. President Luis Abinader Highlights Efforts Before the UN to Promote International Intervention in Haiti President Luis Abinader recalled that since September 2021, he has maintained an active diplomatic campaign before the United Nations