Dominican Republic: Large-Scale Migration Operations and New Disruptions to Santo Domingo Metro

Dominican Republic

Authorities in the Dominican Republic carried out a large-scale, simultaneous migration control operation across the country on April 17, 2026. The General Directorate of Migration (DGM) stated that the intervention, conducted with the support of the army, the National Police, and CESFRONT, targeted several urban and border areas.

The operation focused on regions including Santo Domingo, Santiago, La Vega, Montecristi, Barahona, as well as border provinces such as Dajabón, Elías Piña, and Pedernales.

According to official figures, 916 individuals in irregular migration status were detained, in addition to 194 arrests carried out by security forces. The DGM reported that 630 individuals were subsequently returned to their countries of origin through official border crossings. Authorities stated that these operations are part of broader migration control and territorial security policies, while emphasizing compliance with legal frameworks and human rights.

Transport

At the same time, the capital continues to face repeated disruptions to its urban transport system. The Santo Domingo Metro and the Santo Domingo Cable Car experienced another incident on April 20, 2026, leading to a temporary suspension of Lines 1 and 2 early in the morning.

Service was restored later in the morning, although no official explanation was provided regarding the cause of the outage.

Since 2023, at least 17 major disruptions have been recorded, including power failures, technical malfunctions, and passenger evacuations. These recurring incidents highlight operational challenges within a system that remains central to mobility in the capital.

Authorities indicate that efforts are underway to improve system reliability, while users continue to report frequent service interruptions.

Soraya Ades.