Spanish
Santo Domingo.- Faride Raful, Minister of Interior and Police, reported this Monday that the Dominican Republic registers an accumulated homicide rate of 7.2 so far in 2026, a figure lower than that recorded in the same period of previous years.
During the weekly presentation of statistics by the Joint Task Force, the official highlighted that 14 provinces of the country maintain a single-digit homicide rate, and that 14 territories have not registered homicides so far this year. In contrast, six provinces have double-digit rates, identified in red on the national map.
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Raful compared the current data with previous years, indicating that by February 2025 the accumulated rate was 7.8, while in 2024 it reached 12.03 and in 2023 it stood at 11.89, showing a sustained downward trend. Regarding people injured by violent acts, the minister pointed out that as of February 14, 2026, 329 injuries are recorded, three fewer than in the same period of 2025 and 41 fewer compared to 2024. She specified that each case is evaluated to determine causes, motivations, and type of weapons used. Regarding robberies, it was reported that in 2026, 8,003 complaints were recorded, representing a reduction of 3,399 cases compared to 2025 and 4,522 fewer than in 2024. Within the Government's priorities, the minister highlighted the seizure of illegal weapons, indicating that the National Police has removed 714 firearms from the streets so far this year. She reiterated that the operations will continue, respecting due process, with the aim of preventing violent acts and saving lives. Finally, he reaffirmed the Joint Task Force's commitment to combating organized crime and dismantling criminal gangs, indicating that numerous members of these structures have already been brought to justice and are awaiting final sentences.
