New York, USA.-The Dominican Republic was selected to lead the fight against synthetic drugs in Central America and the Caribbean, while Belgium will take the lead in Europe.
The decision was made during a summit convened by US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly.
During his speech at the Summit of Leaders of the Global Coalition to Combat Synthetic Drugs, President Luis Abinader highlighted that the threat of synthetic drug trafficking knows no borders.
“Together with our regional partners, the Dominican Republic has developed a modern national strategy to combat these drugs,” he explained.
Abinader noted that in May of this year, a comprehensive evaluation of the security and surveillance strategy and protocols at airports, ports and for workers was carried out, which has made it possible to identify and block prohibited materials destined for the production of these substances.
The president stressed that his government has increased investment in key infrastructure to combat these phenomena and pursue those responsible.
He also highlighted efforts in the fight against drug trafficking and transnational organized crime, with special emphasis on fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.
As an example, he mentioned that last week an international drug trafficking network was dismantled through a joint operation between Dominican and US security forces.
“The effectiveness of our efforts is evidenced by drug seizures between 2020 and 2024, reaching 148 tons in four years.
During my administration, the average seizure has been 38 tons per year, compared to just 4,845 kilograms in the 16 years prior to 2020, that is, eight times more,” said Abinader.
The President also highlighted the valuable cooperation of the United States and Mexico, who have provided resources, expertise and technical assistance to the Dominican Republic.
The transit
He also announced that, together with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croÿ, he will call for an initiative to interrupt the movement of actors involved in the trafficking of synthetic drugs.
The summit brought together 20 heads of state, including President Abinader, who shared a table with US President Joe Biden. The latter lamented the pain and irreparable losses that many families have suffered due to synthetic drugs.
Jose Manuel Cabrera Ulloa
“Opioids are the deadliest drug threat in our history. I’ve worked in drug control for a long time, and this is the deadliest of all.
“For years, very little has been done to defeat this threat here and around the world,” Biden said.
He added that before he took office, overdose deaths in the United States were increasing by more than 30 percent year over year.
THE WEEKLY
During his weekly meeting with the press in New York last Monday, Abinader reported that President Biden formally invited the Dominican Republic to participate in new initiatives to combat synthetic drugs, which to date have not had a significant impact in the country.
“Synthetic drugs are among the most dangerous and are seriously affecting the United States, both in terms of health and behavior,” Abinader explained.
The president also highlighted that a plan has been implemented to confront this challenge, which is being supervised in coordination with Vice Admiral José Manuel Cabrera Ulloa, president of the National Directorate of Drug Control (DNCD), who created a special unit against synthetic drugs and recently submitted a report.
Today’s speech
— Before the UN
At 11:00 am, President Luis Abinader will speak before the UN General Assembly, where he is expected to address the crisis in Haiti, climate change, and multilateralism.
Mexico recognizes the DR for being pioneers
Mexico. In March of this year, a high-level delegation from the Mexican government fighting drugs congratulated the authorities of the Dominican Republic for being pioneers in strengthening prevention and strategies against the trafficking and consumption of synthetic drugs.
The Mexican delegation, made up of officials from the Navy and the Attorney General’s Office of Mexico, led the conference in the country: “Synthetic Drugs, a Global Threat.”
They highlighted the Dominican Republic as the first Caribbean country to take preventive actions, as enshrined in Law 50-88 on controlled substances, which details a number of prohibited narcotics that could be used as ingredients for the production of synthetic drugs.
Abinader has highlighted that between 2020 and 2024, the country seized 148 tons of drugs.
Although this refers to traditional stashes, the fight against synthetic drugs has gained relevance.
