Dominican President Appoints Drug Czar while Rubio is in Town

President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic announced the appointment of a drug czar after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Feb. 6, confirming a joint effort to combat drug trafficking.

“I am grateful for the U.S. support in our fight against drug trafficking, organized crime, and irregular migration, which demonstrates our shared commitment to a safer and more prosperous Caribbean,” Abinader said through a translator.

He appointed Vice Admiral Cabrera Ulloa, president of the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) of the Dominican Republic, as the drug czar responsible for leading efforts with the United States to combat drug flow in the Caribbean.

Rubio, speaking in both English and Spanish, commended the Dominican Republic for its significant drug seizures intended for the United States and its cooperation in extraditing criminals.

“In the entire hemisphere, no nation has been more cooperative than the Dominican Republic in extraditing dangerous criminals wanted for transnational crimes,” he stated.

Rubio announced that he would sign waivers to ensure that frozen aid programs can continue, expand cooperation against drug trafficking, and implement more effective technologies to combat it.

“Today, by issuing these waivers, we are enhancing programs that make America safer and stronger,” he explained.

Rubio also announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Dominican governments to formalize the collaboration of U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents with the national police to enhance their ongoing efforts.

Both leaders discussed the situation in Haiti, stressing the need for continuous action to stabilize the nation and maximize its economic potential.

“The future of Haiti belongs to the Haitian people, and they, alongside the elites in their society, must determine and envision their future,” Rubio emphasized. “It is their country, and their future lies in their hands. However, we stand ready to assist.”

Rubio confirmed the signing of additional waivers to maintain funding for ongoing programs in Haiti.

“We cannot and will not expect the Dominican Republic to handle an uncontrolled wave of migrants. No country should be burdened with that responsibility, and the Dominican Republic is no exception,” Rubio remarked regarding Haiti’s situation.

Both officials expressed anticipation for the upcoming Summit of the Americas scheduled to take place in the Dominican Republic in December.

Rubio concluded his visit to Santo Domingo as the final stop in a five-nation tour that included Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala, focusing primarily on immigration and countering communist China.

Key moments included Panama withdrawing from China’s belt-and-road initiative, Guatemala agreeing to accept U.S. deportees from other nations, and El Salvador offering to house criminal deportees and U.S. citizen convicts in its prisons.