Sunday, April 26, 2026

Dominican Republic and Belgium to strengthen police cooperation against organized crime

  • aplicacion - banner 728px

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic and the Kingdom of Belgium signed a memorandum of understanding between their police forces, to strengthen cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime. The pact contemplates cooperation in areas such as transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, police ethics, community policing, and gender equality. The agreement was signed by Major General Andrés Modesto Cruz Cruz, director of the National Police, and Chief Commissioner Eric Snoeck, representing the Belgian Federal Police. The event in the Green Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was attended by national authorities and those of the guest country. As honorary witnesses participated the Minister of Interior and Police, Faride Raful and her counterpart from Belgium, Bernard Quintín, who thanked the welcome and expressed that efforts will continue in favor of the well-being of both nations.
Dominican Republic and Belgium to strengthen police cooperation against organized crime | De Último Minuto English
Meanwhile, Raful highlighted that this agreement represents a strategic alliance to confront organized crime, especially in the context of drug trafficking routes that connect South America with Europe. “Each exchange of information with partners like Belgium means greater operational capacity and more protection for our citizens”. He underlined that Belgium has been a key ally in initiatives such as the Container Control Programme, the Passenger Programme and international legal cooperation, which has allowed the identification of criminal structures and action in accordance with international standards. Likewise, it was pointed out that this memorandum is part of the police reform promoted by the Dominican Republic, aimed at modernizing training, strengthening internal controls and incorporating human rights standards in police work.

“Belgium signs with an institution in transformation, and we with a police force with experience in governance and professional training. That is the value of this agreement,” he expressed.

You may be interested in: Minister of Interior and Police highlights decrease in reported robbery rate compared to 2025

From his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Álvarez, expressed his satisfaction with the strengthening of ties between both nations. "We are pleased that the Dominican Republic continues relations with Belgium, with whom we maintain 135 years of diplomacy and a permanent embassy." Also present at the event were the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Fernández Onofre, and the president of the National Drug Control Directorate, Vice Admiral José Manuel Cabrera Ulloa. From the Ministry of Interior and Police, Juan Ferrand, legal director; Tristán Carbuccia, from the cabinet; and Mercedes Castillo, in charge of international cooperation. Similarly, General Esteban Figuereo García, Deputy Director of the National Police, and Colonel Roenny Cataño, Director of Cooperation and International Affairs, were in attendance. This agreement reaffirms the commitment of both countries to international security and strengthens joint capabilities to prevent and combat organized crime.

In the spotlight

  • aplicacion - banner 300px

  • banner altices 300x250 junio 2025

Explore more

Security in San Francisco de Macorís is reinforced with a large military contingent in the face of a strike call

San Francisco de Macorís, R.D. – A large military contingent was deployed this Sunday in this city, with the aim of reinforcing patrol and prevention efforts, in the face of the 24-hour strike called by the collective of popular organizations. Hundreds of vehicles and agents arrived at the Duarte fortress of the 7th Infantry Brigade […]

Abinader supervises construction of the República de Colombia avenue with funds from Aerodom for RD$12 billion

It states that according to the planning of the Ministry of Public Works and the contractors, the work will be delivered in stages, with a first part scheduled for the end of this year and its total completion in the third quarter of next year. Santo Domingo.– President Luis Abinader made a supervisory visit this […]

Dominican Republic and Belgium to strengthen police cooperation against organized crime

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic and the Kingdom of Belgium signed a memorandum of understanding between their police forces, to strengthen cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime. The pact contemplates cooperation in areas such as transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, police ethics, community policing, and gender equality. The agreement was signed […]

Young man dies after suffering electric shock in Duarte

Duarte. – A young man lost his life after receiving an electric shock while performing work, in an event that occurred in circumstances that have not yet been clarified by the authorities. The victim was identified as Kelvin Junior Paredes, whose death has caused deep sorrow among family, friends, and community residents. According to preliminary […]

TSC achieves perfect score in public procurement

Santo Domingo Este. – The Instituto Técnico Superior Comunitario (ITSC) achieved the maximum score of 100 out of 100 in the Public Procurement Monitoring System (SISCOMPRAS), corresponding to the first quarter of 2026, positioning itself among the institutions with the best performance in the management of purchases of the Dominican State. The SISCOMPRAS, a tool […]

Director of the National Lottery sets position on the regulation of the gaming sector

Santo Domingo, RD. – The director of the National Lottery issued a statement in which he explains his position regarding the process of regularization of betting shops in the country, promoted by the government of President Luis Abinader. In the document, the official highlighted that the process is backed by an Advisory Council made up […]