Santo Domingo.-The Caribbean region is experiencing a growing escalation of geopolitical tension, in which the United States, with the Dominican Republic as a “pivot ally,” has intensified its military presence and joint operations for maritime control and interdiction of drug trafficking networks that operate from South America, including Venezuela.
In that sense, both the new United States ambassador, Leah Campo, and a bipartisan commission of American legislators agreed that in the current situation, the Dominican Republic is a key ally for their country.
Both countries have recently renewed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen the exchange of intelligence and surveillance data on air, sea and land spaces.
The agreement includes the Cooperative Situational Information Integration System (CSII), a shared radar and sensor platform to coordinate joint operations.
This strengthening coincides with a notable deployment of the US Navy, including the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group, along with escort ships, surveillance aircraft and special operations, within the framework of actions that, according to Washington, seek to “detect, monitor and interrupt illicit activities” in the Caribbean.
Visit of congressmen
A bipartisan delegation from the United States Congress visited President Luis Abinader and the heads of several entities, to whom they expressed the importance that the Dominican Republic has for their country as a strategic partner in the fight against drug trafficking and security in the Caribbean.
The group, led by Brian Mast, Republican congressman from Florida and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, argued that cooperation with the Dominican Republic is essential to contain regional threats, strengthen democratic governance and counter drug trafficking.
“The Dominican Republic is a fundamental ally for the security of the hemisphere,” declared Mast, noting that the progress made in security and border control has turned the country into a point of reference within the Caribbean.
The visiting team was made up of Congressmen Bill Huizenga (Michigan), Jefferson Shreve (Indiana), Ryan Mackenzie (Pennsylvania), Michael Baumgartner (Washington), Randy Fine (Florida), Ami Bera and Jimmy Panetta (California).
The delegation was accompanied by the US ambassador Leah Francis Campos, who has reiterated that the country is “an indispensable partner in the region” for its cooperation in security, migration, trade and the fight against drug trafficking.
The legislators began their agenda with a meeting at the National Palace with President Luis Abinader, in which Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez also participated; the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre; Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso; the director of the DNCD, Vice Admiral José M. Cabrera Ulloa; the director of Immigration, Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester; and Pilot Brigadier General Mao Gómez, in charge of the Task Force to support the security mission in Haiti.
At that meeting, the joint efforts to confront drug trafficking, transnational crime, arms trafficking and Haiti were reviewed.
Logistics
—1— Narcolanchas
Washington has reported that 22 of these vessels were transporting narcotics in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
—2— DEA
A DEA commission visited the country and congratulated President Luis Abinader for his support in the fight against the penetration of drug trafficking.
Ambassador describes him as a strategic partner
Reaction. The United States ambassador, Leah Campos, affirmed that the Dominican Republic has become “Washington’s key partner” in terms of security in the Caribbean, especially in the fight against drug trafficking and political violence, during the visit to the country of the influential bipartisan commission of the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Congress.
“The Dominican Republic is a key and reliable partner in regional security; its leadership is fundamental for the stability of the Caribbean,” said the diplomat at the commission meeting with President Luis Abinader.
The mission arrived in the country to reinforce that strategic vision.
