US-Dominican Republic Anti-Narcotics agreement Set to Expire in 2026
President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic announced on Monday a temporary agreement granting US personnel access to restricted areas within Dominican airports for anti-narcotics operations is scheduled to expire in April 2026.
The agreement forms a key component of a wider, increasinglyโค assertive US counternarcotics strategy throughout the Caribbean region. USโฃ Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has expressed a desire to broaden this cooperative framework to include additional nations.
During his regular weekly press conference,President Abinader clarified that the agreement specifically encompasses the restricted zones of Las Amรฉricas International Airport and the San Isidro air base. He emphasized the logistical nature of the activities, stating they facilitate refueling and equipment transport for US aircraft supporting regional missions -โ and are not related toโข military conflict.
The agreement was formalized last week โคduring โSecretary hegseth’s visit to the Dominican Republic. Hegseth characterized the collaboration as a “model” โfor potential expansion to โฃotherโค countries seeking to combat drug trafficking.
Abinader explained that this agreement represents a continuation of existing bilateral anti-drug efforts, tracing backโข to frameworks established in 1995โฃ and 2003. Heโ stated, “this โคis going to help us a lot, together with theโข Dominican Navy and with specialized technological information.”
Increased US Caribbeanโ Presence
The Unitedโข States โhas demonstrably increased its military and operational presence in the Caribbean in recent months. This heightened activity has includedโค the use of lethal force against vessels โขsuspected of drug trafficking, resultingโค in reported fatalities, as part of a broader strategy โคaimed at increasing pressure on the Venezuelan government.
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