Fighting crime in the Dominican Republic has not been an easy task for the different owners who have passed through the National Police. Many of them carry the weight of a history marked by the death of dozens of people classified by the institution as “criminals.”
However, despite the high number of despondentthis problem seems to have no end. For this reason, human rights representatives have repeatedly expressed their opposition to these practices, advocating for the right of each person to be prosecuted by justice in a legal and fair manner.
From August 2017 to date, at least 499 alleged criminals have been killed in alleged exchanges of fire. In this period, the highest figure was recorded during the management of Ney Aldrin Bautista Almontewho held the position of head of the law enforcement institution for almost three years.
After him they have been directors Edward Sánchez González, Eduardo Alberto Then and the current director Ramón Antonio Guzmán Peralta.
The latter has adopted as a strategy to combat crime the intensification of preventive patrols throughout the country, deploying operations in various jurisdictions with the aim of preserving public order and guaranteeing citizen security.
In addition, it has focused on improving the relationship between the police and communities, with the purpose of making citizens trust the authorities more and become allies in the fight against crime.
When Guzman Peralta He took office on November 14, 2023, exactly one year, one month and 20 days ago, warning that his pulse would not tremble and that he did not know fear when facing the country’s criminals.
143 despondent in management Guzman Peralta
During the management of Guzman Peralta, The agents have killed 143 individuals, which represents an average of two despondent per week in the country.
In this administration, many of those who fell in “exchanges of fire“They were alleged criminals with alleged histories of crimes, actively sought by the authorities. Among them stands out José Antonio Figuereo Bautista, alias “Kiko la Quema,” identified as the most dangerous criminal, according to the law enforcement institution.
According to his reports, under his leadership, there has been a decrease in the homicide rate, reaching a figure of 9.59 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024.
Comparison with Then management
While, during the administration of the former director of the National Police, Eduardo Alberto Thenwere shot down 148 people, five more than in the Guzmán Peralta administration. It should be noted that Then was in charge of the institution for a period of two years and 27 days, which represents a difference in the duration of both administrations.
Then he came to office at a critical time for the National Policewhich was facing a strong crisis of confidence on the part of the population. Reports of police abuses, corruption and perceived inefficiency in the fight against crime demanded urgent reforms.
His mandate coincided with the advancement of the police reforma project promoted by the Dominican government to modernize the institution and improve its operational and ethical standards. Although Then expressed support for the reform, there was criticism about the slowness in implementing structural changes.
During his mandate, some strategies were implemented such as increased patrols, joint operations with the Armed Forces and the creation of new police forces.
Furthermore, during his administration, notorious cases of excesses committed by police officers were recorded, which increased demands for an internal purge.
![[object HTMLTextAreaElement]](https://resources.diariolibre.com/images/2025/01/03/then.jpg "Those killed by the National Police since 2017")
Administration of Sánchez González
The former director of the National Police Edward Sánchez González He was in charge of the institution for one year, two months and one day. In that period, 42 people were killedincluding innocent victims such as the Christian couple Elizabeth Muñoz and Joel Díaz, who were gunned down by agents in March 2021.
Another relevant case of his management was the death of the architect Leslie Rosadowho lost his life at the hands of a corporal of the National Police after a traffic incident in Boca Chica, in October 2021.
This last fact increased the negative perception towards the National Police and generated strong criticism of Sánchez’s management. Although it was said that his departure from office was due to these incidents, the President of the Republic, Luis Abinaderclarified that the change in the direction of the institution was due to the fact that Sánchez’s cycle had ended.
Ney Aldrin’s management, with the greatest amount of despondent
During the management of Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte in front of the uniformed police They killed 166 people in two years, eleven months and 17 days.
His management focused on dismantling drug trafficking networks, vehicle theft and their illegal export to Haiti, kidnappings and other complex crimes. Furthermore, sand carried out significant operations that led to the capture of important criminal leaders.
Bautista Almonte implemented plans to reinforce security in critical areas through intensive patrols and coordination with other institutions.
During his mandate, he participated in the investigation and prosecution of the drug trafficking network led by César Emilio Peralta, known as “The Abuser”. This case involved international cooperation with agencies such as the DEA and the FBI. They captured several members of the network and dismantled their operations in the country.
![[object HTMLTextAreaElement]](https://resources.diariolibre.com/images/2025/01/03/ney.jpg "Those killed by the National Police since 2017")
