Dominican Republic faces security and environmental challenges

The Dominican Republic is grappling with complex security and environmental issues. Regarding national security, reports highlight a surge in illegal weaponry and narcotics trafficking that threatens national sovereignty. While official statistics show a homicide rate of 4.37 per 100,000 inhabitants and 241 missing persons in the first eight months of 2026, kidnapping rates remain historically low. Despite international claims suggesting the country is a hub for arms trafficking to Haiti, local authorities maintain that intelligence agencies have independently identified and prosecuted cases of diverted supplies. The nation remains a key participant in international security initiatives, such as the Americas Coalition Against Cartels.

Simultaneously, the country is facing an environmental crisis characterized by widespread tree removal during state-led construction projects. Recent incidents in Baní, where century-old trees were destroyed for a remodeling project without environmental permits, have sparked national indignation. Similar patterns of deforestation have been documented in Santo Domingo and other regions, leading to concerns regarding urban heat islands and ecological degradation, despite recent government decrees aimed at combating environmental terrorism.