Government allows the US to operate in San Isidro and AILA as part of the fight against drug trafficking

Santo Domingo, RD. – President Luis Abinader confirmed this Wednesday that Dominican Republic authorized the United States the temporary use of restricted areas at the San Isidro Air Base and at the Las Américas International Airport (AILA), as part of the logistical operation linked to the official visit of the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth.

Although the president did not detail the operational scope of the permit, he explained that the presence of Hegseth and the movement of technical equipment are framed within the protocols of bilateral cooperation in security matters. During the event, Abinader highlighted that the visit reaffirms the country’s commitment to strengthen its strategic relations with Washington.

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The Head of State also highlighted the benefits of working together with US agencies, especially in the fight against drug trafficking. He recalled that since 2020 the country has seized “almost ten times more drugs per year” than in the previous decade, an achievement recognized by a high-level DEA delegation during its recent visit. Abinader also thanked the United States for its support of the candidacy of Dominican Leandro José Villanueva to head the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Upon concluding, he warned that the country faces “a real threat” linked to organized crime and stated that agreements such as the use of restricted areas by US personnel are part of the strategy to reinforce national capabilities and regional security cooperation.