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Dominican Republic opposition criticizes rise in police-related deaths
The Fuerza del Pueblo (FP) party has denounced the Dominican government's “mano dura” (iron fist) security policy, claiming it has failed to curb crime and has instead led to an increase in deaths during police interventions. Josefina Reynoso, the FP's Secretary of Citizen Security, reported that between 2020 and October 2026, approximately 1,152 deaths were recorded in incidents described as exchanges of gunfire or legal actions.
The party provided a yearly breakdown of these deaths: 76 in 2021, 139 in 2022, 226 in 2024, 214 in 2025, and approximately 236 so far in 2026. The FP also challenged official homicide statistics, stating their calculations suggest a rate of 11.8 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to the government's reported rate of 7.36.
Simultaneously, a group of lawyers has filed a formal complaint against Police Director Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García. The legal action alleges responsibility for 87 deaths during alleged shootouts and accuses the police of failing to follow protocols for crime scene preservation and the chain of custody for evidence.
Entities
Dominican Republic · Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García · Fuerza del Pueblo · Josefina Reynoso · Leonel Fernández · National Police · National Police of the Dominican Republic · Partido Revolucionario Moderno
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Former Prosecutor Francisco Domínguez Brito criticized the government for using violence instead of strengthening investigative bodies. elnacional.com.do · diarionoticias.do
- [● 14 SOURCES] The Fuerza del Pueblo party recorded 1,152 deaths in police-related incidents between 2020 and October 2026. arcodelsur.com · atento.com.do · dandoenelclavo.com · www.diarioazua.com · dominicanaaldia.com · +9 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] There are 53,877 outstanding arrest warrants, including 2,681 for homicide. www.diarioazua.com · maguacadigital.com · primermomento.com · sernoticia.com.do · diariodigitaldominicano.com · +1 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Lawyers filed a complaint against Police Director Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García regarding 87 deaths. dajabonenlinea.net · deultimominuto.com · pasoapaso.com.do
- [● 3 SOURCES] Lawyers claim police are failing to follow protocols for crime scene preservation and chain of custody. dajabonenlinea.net · deultimominuto.com · pasoapaso.com.do
- [● 14 SOURCES] Deaths during police interventions in 2026 have reached approximately 236. arcodelsur.com · atento.com.do · dandoenelclavo.com · www.diarioazua.com · dominicanaaldia.com · +9 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The FP party reported more than 416 feminicides between 2020 and 2026. maguacadigital.com · sernoticia.com.do · diariodigitaldominicano.com
- [● 14 SOURCES] The FP party estimates the homicide rate is 11.8 per 100,000 inhabitants, contradicting the government rate of 7.36. arcodelsur.com · atento.com.do · dandoenelclavo.com · www.diarioazua.com · dominicanaaldia.com · +9 more