Dominican Republic declares fight against environmental terrorism a national priority

environmental terrorism Decree 615-26 national parks environmental protection Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic government has issued Decree 615-26, declaring the fight against “environmental terrorism” a matter of high national interest and strategic priority. President Luis Abinader defined this term to describe systematic damage or the disappearance of national parks and other critical natural resources, such as watersheds, dams, and mangroves.

Under the new legal framework and the existing Penal Code, individuals found responsible for intentional damage to protected areas, including forest fires caused by illegal activities, could face prison sentences ranging from 20 to 30 years. The President noted that many national parks previously lacked official property titles in the name of the State, a situation the government is currently addressing through a national titling process.

The decree mandates increased coordination between the Ministries of Defense, Environment, Interior and Police, and Justice, alongside the National Intelligence Directorate (DNI) and Migration, to implement a National Prevention Policy. This includes establishing technological platforms and confidential channels for citizens to report environmental threats. Authorities have been instructed to pursue both domestic and foreign nationals involved in these activities, including those who finance or promote environmental destruction.

Entities

Armando Paíno Henríquez · Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic · Bahoruco National Park · Dominican Republic · Luis Abinader · Ministry of Defense · Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources · National Palace · Palacio Nacional · Sierra de Bahoruco National Park

Claims

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

[● 18 SOURCES] President Luis Abinader categorized actions involving the systematic disappearance or damage of national parks as environmental terrorism. dajabonenlinea.net · defensa.com.do · eldiariouniversal.com · eldinero.com.do · www.tutilapia.com · +12 more
[● 20 SOURCES] Violators of protected areas may face prison sentences of 20 to 30 years under the new Penal Code. dajabonenlinea.net · defensa.com.do · eldiariouniversal.com · eldinero.com.do · www.tutilapia.com · +12 more
[● 14 SOURCES] Many national parks lacked official property titles in the name of the Dominican State. dajabonenlinea.net · defensa.com.do · eldinero.com.do · www.tutilapia.com · elatlantico.do · +7 more
[● 26 SOURCES] The government issued Decree 615-26 to combat environmental terrorism as a national security priority. bajotecho.com.do · dajabonenlinea.net · defensa.com.do · eldiariouniversal.com · eldinero.com.do · +18 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The new classification allows authorities to request more rigorous coercive measures and preventive detention. azuanoticias.com · infoenn.com
[● 9 SOURCES] Many protected areas lacked official land titles in the name of the Dominican State. dajabonenlinea.net · defensa.com.do · eldinero.com.do · www.tutilapia.com · elatlantico.do · +2 more
[● 14 SOURCES] The government issued Decree 615-26 to combat environmental terrorism as a matter of national interest. bajotecho.com.do · dajabonenlinea.net · defensa.com.do · eldiariouniversal.com · eldinero.com.do · +6 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Offenders face prison sentences of between 20 and 30 years under the new legal framework. dajabonenlinea.net · defensa.com.do · eldiariouniversal.com · bavaronews.com · precision.com.do · +1 more
[● 13 SOURCES] Recent forest fires, such as the one in Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, were linked to illegal activities. dajabonenlinea.net · defensa.com.do · eldinero.com.do · www.tutilapia.com · elatlantico.do · +7 more