Jet Set operated without permits from four state institutions for decades

Santo Domingo.- The tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub, which left 236 dead and more than a hundred injured, has brought to light serious irregularities in its operation. According to data collected by the Public Ministry, the establishment was operating without the necessary permits from four key institutions: the City Council of the National District (ADN), the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Public Works, and the Ministry of Housing and Buildings (MIVED).

According to the investigation, the only official permit linked to the structure corresponds to a construction authorization granted in 1970 for the El Portal cinema, located at kilometer 6 of Independencia Avenue, when the building was originally erected. Since then, there is no record of authorizations for renovations, changes in land use, or environmental certifications that would allow the legal operation of the Jet Set as an entertainment center. Investigations establish that the premises operated outside the law, without the land use permit issued by the ADN nor the structural approval that corresponds to be granted by the MIVED. In addition, it lacked the environmental impact study required for mass-use buildings by the Ministry of Environment.

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The former El Portal cinema was acquired in 1994 by the current owners of Jet Set, when the building was already closed. Although the disco was founded in 1973 by Grecia López, mother of Antonio Espaillat, it initially operated in another location in front of the Independencia Clinic, and later moved to the structure of the cinema, which was never regularized for its new use.

For nearly three decades, the Jet Set operated without complying with technical standards or permits that guarantee structural and environmental safety, which constitutes a serious violation of current regulations designed to protect the life and integrity of users. The collapse on the morning of April 8th exposed the consequences of this historical negligence.