Spanish
Santo Domingo. - The General Directorate of Migration (DGM) of the Dominican Republic, led by Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester, ARD., received the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Commission of Migration Authorities of the Member Countries of the Central American Integration System (OCAM), for the period between January 1 and June 30, 2026.
Lee Ballester, who replaces Mrs. Erly Estela Miranda, deputy director of the National Migration Service of Panama, assumed these responsibilities during the LX Ordinary Meeting of the international organization, held this Wednesday, December 10, and attended by representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as well as the directors of migration from member countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Ingrid Figueroa, Executive Director of the SICA General Secretariat, and Irene Vignini, Head of Mission of IOM in El Salvador, were at the meeting; while Lee Ballester was accompanied by the Deputy Director of the DGM Silvestre Expedito Ventura, the Director of Foreign Affairs Dr. Laura Martínez, and Colonel Héctor Ovalle, Director of Planning and Development of the DGM.You can also read: U.S. congratulates José Antonio Kast and expects cooperation on migration and trade
During the working session, they addressed concerns regarding migration governance, the possibility of formalizing a coordination and information exchange agreement to facilitate migratory flow processes between member countries, as well as in special situations that require the processing of documents involving vulnerable populations. Similarly, a checklist for a safe, dignified return and sustainable reintegration was presented, a publication project of the OCAM's specialized migration module in SICA, as well as a draft of the first Operational Plan of the OCAM's Intersectoral Strategic Plan. Upon assuming this regional leadership, the DGM ratifies the country's position in favor of promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration in the region. The closing of the meeting was in charge of the deputy director of the DGM, Silvestre Expedito Ventura, who serves as delegate and substitute for the General Directorate of Migration in the OCAM.
