Dominican Republic legislator warns of 60 public library closures

Ramón Raposo, a deputy for the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), has raised alarms regarding the closure of 60 public libraries across the Dominican Republic. Speaking before the Chamber of Deputies, Raposo expressed concern that these spaces, intended to foster reading and cultural development, are being lost. He noted that instead of being modernized with new technologies to support education, some facilities are reportedly being repurposed as funeral homes.

Raposo warned that the reduction of these spaces limits educational opportunities for children and youth and weakens social initiatives aimed at preventing crime and drug consumption. He also criticized the budget distribution for the Ministry of Culture. For the 2027 fiscal year, the ministry's budget is projected at RD$4,577 million, yet Raposo stated that only RD$67 million would be allocated to cultural development investments, with the remainder covering payroll and operational expenses.