U.S. Government recognizes President Abinader’s efforts in the fight against corruption

Government highlights arrests of corrupt officials

Santo Domingo. – The United States government recognized the efforts of President Luis Abinader in the fight against corruption, highlighting that, unlike previous administrations, his administration has promoted arrests of high-ranking officials from both the ruling party and the opposition.

According to the document “2025 Investment Climate Statements: Dominican Republic,” published by the U.S. Department of State, the country has a legal framework that includes laws and regulations to combat corruption and criminal sanctions for corrupt officials. Cite the case of Law 340-06 on Public Procurement and Contracting, which prohibits awarding contracts to people or entities that are in a conflict of interest. It indicates that, although new legislation on this matter has not yet been enacted, Resolution No. 416-23 was approved in 2023, which constitutes an interim step with positive effects on the contracting processes. He notes that, although challenges persist, the application of these laws has improved thanks to the Abinader administration’s emphasis on transparency, which led the Dominican Republic to improve its position in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, moving to 104th place in 2024, from 137th in 2020.

“President Abinader has largely fulfilled his commitment to make the fight against corruption a priority. He appointed officials with a reputation for professionalism and independence and has respected the autonomy of his Director General of Public Procurement and the Attorney General,” the report states.

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It maintains that the supervisory functions of the General Directorate of Public Procurement (DGCP) have been strengthened with the imposition of the use of the electronic portal in purchases, however, it notes that the regulation does not impose criminal sanctions for fraud and abuse in the contracting system, because it requires legal changes. It reaffirms that civil society has been a critical voice in anti-corruption campaigns so far, as is the case with the Institutionalism and Justice Foundation (FINJUS), Citizen Participation, and the Dominican Alliance Against Corruption (ADOCCO). Finally, it is noted that the Dominican Republic signed and ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), despite highlighting that it is not part of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention in International Business Transactions.