The Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic: Contributions and Challenges to Regional Security

Abstract

This work examines the Dominican Republic’s principal security issues: Haiti, street crime, and narcotrafficking, as well as the role of its armed forces in the government’s response. It finds that poverty and instability Haiti continue to present serious challenges through immigration and cross-border criminal activities. It also finds that while the role of the military in citizen security through the task force Ciudad Tranquila and other programs has deterred crime, the long-term effects on crime are limited, while presenting serious burdens on the Armed Forces as an institution and legal risks for its personnel. With respect to narcotrafficking, the Dominican counterdrug agency DNCD, with the support of the military, has significantly decreased air transits and contributed importantly to maritime interdictions, but continues to be limited by resources and interagency coordination challenges in combatting the expanding flows of drugs through the region. This work concludes with recommendations for the U.S. to support its Dominican partners through education, training, and other support.