The president of the Dominican Republic says he has authorized the U.S. government to operate inside restricted areas in the Caribbean country to help in its fight against drug trafficking.
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S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a press conference after a meeting with Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader at the National Palace in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, left, and Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader speak during a press conference at the National Palace in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a press conference after a meeting with Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader at the National Palace in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. President Luis Abinader announced Wednesday that he has authorized the U.S. government to operate inside restricted areas in the Caribbean country to help For a limited time, the U.S. can refuel aircraft and transport equipment and technical personnel at restricted areas within the San Isidro Air Base and Las Américas International Airport, said Abinader, who made the announcement withHegseth was in Santo Domingo Wednesday to meet with the country’s top leaders, including Abinader and Minister of Defense Lt. Gen. Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre. It is the first major public agreement that the U.S. has struck with a Caribbean nation as it seeks friendly allies to support its attacks against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the region and beyond. Since the strikes began in early September,“That’s why I’m here today. That’s why we decided to come here first,” he said. “The Dominican Republic has stepped up.” Hegseth said the U.S. would respect the Caribbean country’s sovereignty and laws as U.S. service members and aircraft prepare to deploy to the Dominican Republic. He did not provide additional details.“The purpose is clear: to strengthen the air and maritime protection ring maintained by our Armed Forces, a decisive reinforcement to prevent the entry of narcotics and to strike a more decisive blow against transnational organized crime,” he said. After a news conference where no questions were allowed, the office of the president issued a statement with more details, noting that several KC-135 tanker aircraft would be present to support air patrol missions, expanding monitoring and interdiction capabilities over a large portion of the maritime and air domains. “They would also provide refueling services to aircraft from partner countries, thus ensuring sustained operations for monitoring, detecting, and tracking verified illicit smuggling activities,” according to the statement.nearly 10 times more drugs per year in the past five years than in the previous decade thanks to close collaboration with the U.S. “Our country faces a real threat, a threat that knows no borders, no flags, that destroys families, and that has been trying to use our territory for decades," he said."That threat is drug trafficking, and no country can or should confront it without allies.” Hegseth praised Abinader, saying that the Dominican Republic “understands the importance of standing up to narco-terrorists and narco-traffickers who flood our countries with drugs and violence.” “We’re deadly serious about this mission,” Hegseth said, asserting that the U.S. has the best intelligence, lawyers and process. “We know…where they’re leaving from, where they’re going, what they’re bringing, what their intentions are, who they represent.” Hegseth’s visit comes a day after Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. President Donald Trump’s primary military adviser, met with, drawing criticism ever since stating in early September that she had no sympathy for drug traffickers and that “the U.S. military should kill them all violently.” Prior to visiting Trinidad and Tobago, Caine stopped by the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico to visit American troops there and boarded at least one U.S. Navy ship.Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Marion County Fire Rescue chief address arrest, termination of 4 employees over hazing incidentRichard's Swing Makeover Pt. 13: Sparks fly Man killed in shooting on Jacksonville's WestsideRabid bobcat attack in Jekyll Island prompts alert from health departmentRichards Swing Makeover Pt. 12: Drilling through old ironHoliday Money Hunt: Does the state have money that belongs to you? Here's how to find out!Families receive free turkey dinners across JacksonvilleAddressing A4dability: How to verify your home builder's tax estimate19 weiner dogs get new homes at ACPS eventSkating returns to its roots as Planet Skate revives Northside tradition0:23Turkey Tradition: Melanie visits Copeland's on the Southside for tips on frying the perfect turkey
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Dominican Republic grants US access to restricted areas for its fight against drugsThe president of the Dominican Republic says he has authorized the U.S. government to operate inside restricted areas in the Caribbean country to help in its fight against drug trafficking. Luis Abinader says the U.S.
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