Corruption is a significant issue in the Dominican Republic and has been for many years. The country has consistently ranked poorly in global corruption indexes, such as Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. According to a report from the Inter-American Development Bank, corruption in the Dominican Republic results in an estimated loss of 1.5% to 2% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year.
There have been several high-profile corruption cases in recent years that have captured public attention in the Dominican Republic. Here are some of the most notable cases:
- Odebrecht Scandal – In 2017, Brazilian construction company Odebrecht admitted to paying over $92 million in bribes to officials in the Dominican Republic in exchange for contracts. The scandal implicated several high-ranking officials and politicians, including former Minister of Industry and Commerce Temístocles Montás and former senator Tommy Galán. In 2019, several of these individuals were indicted on corruption charges.
- Operation Medusa – In 2018, the National Directorate of Drug Control (DNCD) uncovered a corruption scheme involving police officers who were extorting drug traffickers. The scheme was discovered after a shootout between the police and drug traffickers in which seven officers were killed. At least 10 police officers were arrested in connection with the case.
- La Caja de Pandora – In 2020, the Office of the Attorney General announced the arrest of 11 individuals, including a former senator and a former deputy, in connection with an alleged corruption network involving embezzlement of public funds. The case, dubbed “La Caja de Pandora,” or “Pandora’s Box,” involved the diversion of millions of dollars in government funds to private individuals and companies.
- Coral Scandal – In 2021, a major corruption scandal involving officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Communications was uncovered. The scandal, known as the “Coral Scandal,” involved the embezzlement of over $100 million in government funds through fraudulent contracts with private companies. Several high-ranking officials, including the former Minister of Public Works and Communications, Gonzalo Castillo, have been implicated in the scandal.
- Operation Anti-Pulpo (2020) – This operation, which translates to “Anti-Octopus,” was carried out by the Office of the Attorney General in 2020 and resulted in the arrest of 11 individuals, including a former director of the State-run Electricity Distribution Companies, César Prieto, and his alleged accomplices. The operation was aimed at dismantling a corruption network accused of embezzling millions of dollars from public funds through the illicit manipulation of contracts.
- Operation Falcón (2019) – In 2019, Operation Falcón was carried out by the Dominican Republic’s National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) and resulted in the arrest of 19 individuals, including two high-ranking police officers, accused of involvement in drug trafficking and corruption. The operation was part of the government’s efforts to tackle the corruption and impunity within the police force.
- Operation Coral (2021) – This operation, which was mentioned earlier, targeted an alleged corruption network involving officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Communications. The operation resulted in the arrest of several high-ranking officials and private individuals accused of embezzlement of public funds.
- Operation Boca de Lobo (2018) – This operation, which means “Mouth of the Wolf,” targeted a network of officials involved in the issuance of fraudulent permits for the import and export of goods. The operation resulted in the arrest of several individuals, including a former director of the General Directorate of Customs, Fernando Fernández.
- Operation Regalía (2020) – This operation targeted a corruption scheme involving officials from the Ministry of Public Health and private individuals who were allegedly involved in the embezzlement of funds earmarked for the purchase of medical supplies. The operation resulted in the arrest of several individuals, including a former deputy director of the Ministry of Public Health.
- Operation Anti-Bullying (2018) – This operation was carried out by the National Police and targeted a corruption network within the education sector. The operation resulted in the arrest of several officials, including a former regional director of education and a former school principal, accused of involvement in the illicit manipulation of contracts and the embezzlement of public funds.
- Operation The Singer (2020) – This operation was aimed at dismantling a network involved in the smuggling of goods and money laundering. The operation resulted in the arrest of several individuals, including a well-known Dominican singer, Sergio Vargas, who was accused of involvement in the illicit trade of goods and money laundering.
- Operation Car Wash (2018) – This operation targeted a corruption scheme involving officials from the National Institute of Potable Water and several private companies who were allegedly involved in the embezzlement of public funds. The operation resulted in the arrest of several individuals, including a former director of the National Institute of Potable Water.
- Creation of the National Anti-Corruption Alliance: In 2020, Luis Abinader created the National Anti-Corruption Alliance, a group made up of public and private sector representatives, with the aim of promoting transparency, accountability and good governance practices.
- Investigation into the COVID-19 vaccine scandal: In 2021, the Dominican Republic’s Attorney General launched an investigation into allegations of corruption related to the procurement and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. The investigation was led by a special commission established by President Abinader, which ultimately resulted in the dismissal of the country’s Health Minister, Plutarco Arias.
These are just a few examples of the corruption cases that have been reported in the Dominican Republic in recent years. It is important to note that corruption remains a widespread problem in the country, and many cases likely go unreported or unnoticed.it is worth noting that the country’s government has taken steps to combat corruption, but it remains a persistent problem that affects many aspects of Dominican society.