Dominican Republic alcohol regulation dispute, closures

In late July 2026 the Dominican Republic Constitutional Court struck down Decree 308‑06, which had set limits on the hours for alcohol sales in venues such as bars, discotheques and casinos. The court ruled the decree unconstitutional because such restrictions must be enacted by the National Congress, and ordered a two‑year transition period to give legislators time to draft new law. Interior Minister Faride Raful said the government would respect the ruling and work with Congress and civil society on a replacement framework.

Two days later coverage highlighted the broader legislative impasse: for more than a decade successive senators have introduced bills to regulate alcohol licensing, sales hours, penalties and proximity to schools, yet none have become law. The court’s decision underscores the ongoing deadlock between the executive’s attempts to impose temporary measures and the legislature’s failure to pass comprehensive alcohol‑sale legislation.

Following the ruling, the Dirección de Control de Expendio de Bebidas Alcohólicas (COBA) temporarily shut 744 alcohol‑selling establishments that had operated between January and June, citing violations of the now‑voided operating‑hour rules in 76.7 % of cases, as well as noise, violence, under‑age presence and weapons. The closures peaked in May (182) and January (159), with Santo Domingo accounting for 289 of the shut‑downs, and significant numbers also recorded in La Altagracia and Santiago.