Information On The Dominican Republic

Since early 2004, the U.S. Embassy has received a growing number of reports from Americans who have been stopped while driving and asked for “donations” before they would be allowed to continue on their way. Usually, the person(s) stopping the American drivers had approached from behind on a motorcycle; several of these motorcyclists pulled up alongside the driver's window and indicated that they were carrying a firearm. In some cases, the perpetrators were dressed in the light green uniform of “AMET,” the Dominican traffic police; however, they often seemed too young to be police officers or wore ill-fitting uniforms that might have been stolen. While everyone driving in the Dominican Republic should abide by traffic laws and the instructions of legitimate authorities, Americans finding the ... [Read More]

Dominican Republic (05/05)

The U.S. has a strong interest in a democratic, stable, and economically healthy Dominican Republic. The country�s standing as the largest Caribbean economy, second-largest country in terms of population and land mass, large bilateral trade with the United States, and its proximity to the United States and other smaller Caribbean nations make the Dominican Republic an important partner in hemispheric affairs. The embassy estimates that 60,000 U.S. citizens live in the Dominican Republic; many are dual nationals. An important element of the relationship between the two countries is the fact that more than 1 million Dominicans reside in the United States, most of them in the metropolitan Northeast and some in Florida. ... [Read More]

Dominican Republic

Under Secretary for Political Affairs Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs [Read More]

V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G

Cyprus is a destination country for women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Traffickers who forced women into prostitution continued to fraudulently recruit victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term "artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or for illegal work on tourist or student visas. There was increasing evidence of Chinese women being trafficked for sexual exploitation in Cyprus. The Government of Cyprus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Cyprus made some progress in its anti-trafficking efforts over the past year. The new police anti-trafficking unit produced successful results and showed vigilance in combating the problem. Government recognition of the problem improve ... [Read More]

Dominican Republic

The Government generally does not interfere with the practice of religion. Attendance at Catholic Mass for members of the National Police is strongly encouraged, but they are allowed to practice their own beliefs. The Catholic Cardinal in the Dominican Republic is the Army Chaplain for the Armed Forces and the Police and holds the rank of Major General. ...

The major religious denomination is the Roman Catholic Church. Evangelical Christians (especially Assemblies of God, Church of God, Baptists, Methodists, and Pentecostals), Seventh-day Adventists, the Watchtower Society (Jehovah's Witnesses), and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) have a much smaller but generally growing presence. Jehovah's Witnesses have a large country headquarters, school, and assembly hall complex in the national district. Many Catholics also practice a combination of Catholicism and Afro-Caribbean beliefs (santeria) or witchcraft (brujeria), but because this practice rarely is admitted openly the number of adherents is impossible to estimate. Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism are practiced. There are synagogues in the country; however, there were no rabbis present by the end of the period covered by this report, nor were there any mosques. ... [Read More]

International Parental Child Abduction Dominican Republic

U.S. Department of State [Read More]

U.S. and Dominican Republic Conclude Trade Agreement - US Department of State

"The Dominican Republic is a large regional market, with strong ties to the U.S., and this agreement opens many opportunities for American exporters, farmers, workers, consumers and businesses, and it will promote economic growth, opportunity and prosperity in the Dominican Republic and the region. With the addition of the Dominican Republic, the CAFTA will further streamline regional trade; promote investment; slash tariffs on goods; remove barriers to trade in services; provide advanced intellectual property protections; promote regulatory transparency; strengthen labor and environmental conditions; and, provide an effective system to settle disputes," Zoellick said. ... [Read More]

Dominican Republic Joins U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement - US Department of State

"This is a significant agreement with a large regional U.S. trading partner, and I'm very pleased to see the Dominican Republic joining the CAFTA to create a new and larger trade agreement. It's a top-notch agreement that levels the playing field and expands opportunities for the peoples of both countries. Our signing today, and the joining of the Dominican Republic into the Central American FTA, caps off a great summer in the drive to open markets. We've extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act, had two large majority votes in Congress for the Australia and Morocco FTAs, helped achieve an historic framework to guide the WTO negotiations, and the president just signed on Tuesday the implementing legislation for Australia," said Zoellick, who visited the Dominican Republic in January as the negotiations began. ... [Read More]

Cambodia-Dominican Republic

Bureau of Public Affairs Office of the Historian [Read More]

U.S. Department of State -- Key Officers - Dominican Republic
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