Recently, the US Department of State removed a travel alert for the Dominican Republic on account of racism that was issued in November 2022. Nonetheless, a level 2 warning for crime, sexual assault, and homicides stays energetic for Santo Domingo. The choice to remove the racism alert was welcomed by congressmen Adriano Espaillat and María Salazar, who had argued that the Dominican Republic should never have been accused of racism. They took to social media to specific their pleasure and emphasize that much still must be done to eliminate the implications of this slander.
While the racism alert has been removed, it still appears on the State Department website within the archives section for the Dominican Republic. Espaillat acknowledged that the system doesn’t have a solution to eliminate what has already been published, but they’re working to seek out a solution to remove it from the portal. Despite this, the removal of the alert from the new update is a positive step in restoring the status of the country.
Alternatively, the extent 2 crime alert was activated on April 17, 2023, days before the tragic case of the kid Gioser Luis Feliz, who was murdered as he left the Cibao International Airport in an alleged robbery try and dispossess his father of his belongings. The alert warns that violent crimes, including armed robberies, homicides, and sexual assaults, are a cause for concern throughout the Dominican Republic. It also states that tourist areas of the country are inclined to be higher policed than urban areas like Santo Domingo on account of the event of an expert tourist police force, the institution of a 911 system in lots of parts of the country, and a concentration of resources in tourist areas.
Nonetheless, the wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high level of crime on a broader scale. The State Department recommends that U.S. residents visiting the country handle their surroundings, not physically resist any robbery attempt, and avoid displaying signs of wealth, resembling wearing expensive watches or jewelry. Also they are advised to follow the recommendation of tour operators and the resort regarding local safety and security concerns.
In summary, the removal of the racism alert is a positive development for the Dominican Republic, but the extent 2 warning for crime, sexual assault, and homicides stays energetic. The federal government and law enforcement authorities should work to deal with the basis causes of crime and improve the criminal justice system to create a safer environment for residents and visitors alike.
