Santo Domingo.- The investigative journalism program “Under the Spotlight”, produced by De Último Minuto TV and hosted by Wendy Mora, dedicated its most recent installment to analyzing the crimes committed by active and retired members of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies, exposing a problem that directly challenges the Dominican State.
The investigation, led by journalist Yuleisy Ovalle, documented cases of domestic violence and femicides perpetrated by military personnel, many of whom had legal access to firearms and a history of unsupervised emotional conflicts.
Cases That Shock
Among the analyzed events are:
Ana Josefa García, first medical lieutenant of the army, who in August 2024 murdered her six-year-old daughter, allegedly under the effects of a schizophrenic crisis.
Fabio Montero Verigüete, retired captain of the Navy, responsible for a triple family homicide in March 2025 before taking his own life.
Samuel Mora Alcántara, captain of the army, who in July 2025 killed his ex-partner and her mother, subsequently committing suicide.
The program pointed out that these events share risk factors such as access to regulated weapons, domestic violence, and authoritarian parenting patterns, reflecting an internal culture in which violence can be normalized.
Lack of psychological control and institutional response
“Under the Spotlight” questioned the effectiveness of the psychological evaluation and emotional monitoring protocols applied by military institutions. Although the Army claims to have initial evaluation processes, periodic monitoring, and psychological support for its members, it did not offer an official response to the journalistic team’s questions about its actual operation.
Experts consulted, such as the Vida sin Violencia Foundation, recalled that of the 29 intimate femicides recently registered, seven were committed by military personnel or police officers, and proposed urgent measures, including in-depth psychological evaluations upon entry, mandatory annual follow-ups, training in emotional management, and internal protocols for victim care.
A Call to the State
The report concluded that crimes committed with the power of a uniform are not just individual tragedies, but a structural problem that demands a comprehensive response from the State. “The uniform cannot be a shield nor the weapon a sentence,” warned the investigation team, highlighting the need to reinforce controls and emotional supervision of those who are armed by institutional mandate.
“Under the Spotlight”, broadcast on Tuesdays on El Seis channel and available on the YouTube channel of De Último Minuto, thus reaffirms itself as a space for investigative journalism that not only informs, but also demands accountability and proposes solutions to high-impact social issues.
