Dominican Republic: Police and Deputy Martínez reach agreement after Elías Piña incident

Millys Martínez National Police police misconduct Dominican Republic Senate use of lethal force

A controversy has emerged in the Dominican Republic following an incident in Comendador, Elías Piña, involving Deputy Millys Martínez and National Police officers. Martínez reported being handcuffed during a festive activity, an event that led to political outcry and a walkout in the Chamber of Deputies. While the National Police denied a formal arrest took place, new video footage has surfaced that some commentators suggest shows the deputy handling the handcuffs herself.

In response to the incident, the National Police Director, Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García, and Deputy Martínez met to resolve their differences, agreeing to maintain institutional cooperation and dialogue.

Separately, Senator Antonio Taveras Guzmán has introduced a resolution in the Senate to summon the Minister of Interior and Police, Faride Raful, and the Director of the National Police to explain protocols regarding the use of lethal force. This move follows concerns over rising deaths classified as 'legal interventions' by law enforcement, which accounted for 23% of homicides in the first half of 2026.

Entities

Antonio Taveras · Antonio Taveras Guzmán · Chamber of Deputies · Elías Piña · Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García · Faride Raful · Millys Martínez · National Police · National Police of the Dominican Republic · Senate of the Dominican Republic

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The session of the Chamber of Deputies was suspended after most legislators walked out in protest.
[● 3 SOURCES] Deputy Millys Martínez accused the Minister of Interior and Police, Faride Raful, of remaining silent regarding an incident involving police misconduct. www.todoenelpunto.com · diarionoticias.do
[● 11 SOURCES] The deputy reported being handcuffed by National Police officers in Comendador, Elías Piña, during a festive activity. www.todoenelpunto.com · diarionoticias.do · hoy.com.do · almomento.net · arcodelsur.com · +4 more
[● 4 SOURCES] The National Police denied that the deputy was formally arrested. www.todoenelpunto.com · hoy.com.do · tirapiedras.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Only 23 out of 190 deputies remained present during the session.
[● 5 SOURCES] In 2025, 215 deaths were classified as 'legal intervention' by law enforcement agents. azuanoticias.com · n.com.do · noticias24horasrd.com · diariodigitaldominicano.com
[● 9 SOURCES] The Senate approved a resolution to invite the Minister of Interior and Police and the Director of the National Police to explain police-related deaths. conexion23.com · dominicanaaldia.com · elinformante.com.do · www.diariolibre.com · azuanoticias.com · +3 more
[● 5 SOURCES] In the first half of 2026, deaths classified as legal police interventions accounted for 23% of the 625 homicides recorded. azuanoticias.com · n.com.do · noticias24horasrd.com · diariodigitaldominicano.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Yván Lorenzo accused the government of acting irresponsibly regarding the incident involving Deputy Millys Martínez. diarionoticias.do · arcodelsur.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The National Police Director and Deputy Millys Martínez agreed to cooperate following their incident. bajotecho.com.do · www.sanjuanpordentro.net · tirapiedras.com · deultimominuto.com