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Miami, Florida.- The Minister of Interior and Police, Faride Raful, participated on behalf of President Luis Abinader in the Miami Security Forum, an inaugural event organized by the Heritage Foundation that brought together leaders of security policies, defense, and the private sector of the Western Hemisphere at Trump National Doral, Miami.
During her intervention in the Keynote and Fireside Chat titled “Dominican Republic: A Strategic U.S. Partner in Security Affairs,” Minister Raful presented the Dominican government's progress in citizen security, economic growth, and bilateral cooperation with the United States. The minister highlighted that in 2025 the homicide rate in the Dominican Republic stood at 8.15 per one hundred thousand inhabitants, the lowest figure recorded in the country's history, with a reduction of nearly 15% compared to the previous year. These results, it was pointed out, position the country as the second safest in Central America and the Caribbean.We recommend reading:Faride Raful reports on colonel involved in millionaire robbery had three months as deputy director in San Cristóbal
Raful explained that the government's security strategy is based on data-driven management through the Citizen Security Data Analysis Center, the incorporation of 9,503 new agents into the National Police, community articulation through the Local Security, Citizenship and Gender Tables throughout the national territory, and the institutional reform of the National Police, whose preliminary draft of the organic law is in the Senate of the Republic. In terms of drug trafficking, the minister reported that seizures under the current government have increased fivefold compared to 2019, reaching 48.3 tons in 2025 between national operations and international cooperation. Regarding the bilateral relationship, Raful presented data on the trade exchange between both countries, which exceeded US$18.9 billion in 2025, and highlighted the 2.4 million Dominicans residing in the United States who sent more than US$11.8 billion in remittances in 2025. The minister also highlighted the daily operational cooperation with US agencies in security matters, including the agreement formalized in November 2025 for the use of Dominican facilities in joint anti-narcotics operations. In economic matters, the minister pointed out that international economic freedom indexes reflect the country's trajectory: the Heritage Foundation Index awarded the Dominican Republic its highest score in history, above the world and regional average, while the Fraser Institute places the country among those with the greatest improvement in economic freedom in the world since 1990. Raful also pointed out that the Dominican government has put the development of semiconductor capabilities on the national agenda and is exploring that path with allies such as Purdue University, with whom an agreement was signed for talent training. The minister framed this initiative as part of a regional opportunity to strengthen hemispheric supply chains and reduce vulnerabilities in technological production. He also referred to the Meta RD 2036 vision, which seeks to transform the Dominican Republic into a developed country in ten years. The minister addressed the challenges of the Haitian crisis, reiterating the Dominican government's position that it is a hemispheric challenge that requires a collective response from the international community.You may be interested in:Faride Raful swears in Andrés Modesto Cruz Cruz as the new director general of the National Police
Meeting with the Governor of Puerto Rico
In the framework of the Miami Security Forum, the Minister of Interior and Police held a meeting with the Governor of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer González Colón, where they discussed topics of common interest in regional security. During the meeting, both authorities exchanged experiences on strategies for combating crime, institutional strengthening, and intergovernmental cooperation to address shared challenges in the Caribbean. The dialogue also allowed for exploring collaboration opportunities in areas such as crime prevention, the modernization of security forces, and information exchange. Both the minister and the governor reaffirmed their willingness to continue promoting joint initiatives that contribute to ensuring citizen security and the well-being of their respective territories.Organized by The Heritage Foundation, the meeting serves as a platform for policy experts, defense chiefs, and representatives from the private sector to promote collaboration mechanisms to combat the crises of the 21st century.
During the event, Minister Raful reported on round tables with about 200 international leaders, including senior national security officials and key figures from the global business world. Thematic axes and strategic agenda The Miami Security Forum will feature frank discussions on the most urgent issues on the hemispheric agenda, including: Transnational Crime: Combating narcoterrorism, its resurgence, and the dismantling of organized crime. Border Management: Analysis of massive illegal migration, security at border limits, and eradication of human trafficking. Defense and Sovereignty: Modernization of the armed forces in the Americas and the response to the influence of extra-hemispheric powers.You can also read:Faride Raful proposes joint learning to face common criminal challenges
Economy and Democracy: Supply chain security, protection of critical infrastructure, and the strengthening of democracies against authoritarian regimes.About the Miami Security Forum (MSF)
MSF positions itself as the main space for policy debate focused on preserving the stability of the Western Hemisphere. It's an invitation-only event that combines confidential expert presentations, high-level networking sessions, and speeches by key figures in current geopolitics. With this participation, the Dominican Republic reaffirms its role as a key actor in the regional security architecture, promoting joint solutions to problems that transcend national borders.
