Dominican Republic shuts 744 alcohol outlets after court voids hours decree

The Dominican Republic's Constitutional Court issued decision TC/0689/26, declaring the 2006 decree that set operating hours for alcohol sales unconstitutional. The ruling does not eliminate the state's authority to regulate alcohol sales but requires a new legal basis for any time restrictions.

Following the decision, the Dirección de Control de Expendio de Bebidas Alcohólicas (COBA) temporarily closed 744 alcohol‑selling establishments between January and June. Violations of operating‑hour rules accounted for 76.7% of the closures, with additional actions taken for noise, violence, under‑age presence, and weapons. The highest number of closures occurred in May (182) and January (159). Santo Domingo recorded the most closures (289), while other provinces such as La Altagracia and Santiago also saw significant numbers.