At a Glance
Alliances & Memberships
- UN
- OAS
- CARICOM (observer)
- SICA
- CAFTA-DR
Foreign Policy Overview
Manages Haiti crisis (border wall, deportations); pro-US; tourism economy.
Key Positions on Major Issues
Haiti stabilization (without DR troops); migration control; Taiwan ties cut for PRC (2018).
UN Voting Record Notes
Generally Western-aligned in OAS/UN.
Economy & Trade
The Dominican Republic possesses the largest economy in the Caribbean, transitioning from agriculture to a service-oriented model driven by tourism, telecommunications, and free-trade zones. Real GDP growth has averaged 5% over the last decade, with gold, ferronickel, medical devices, and consumer goods serving as primary exports. The United States remains the dominant trade partner (receiving over 50% of exports), while the Dominican Peso (DOP) remains relatively stable. Despite growth, the nation faces challenges in energy infrastructure and income inequality.
Military & Security
The Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic (FF.AA.) consist of approximately 60,000 active personnel, primarily focused on border security, counter-narcotics, and disaster relief. Defense spending typically orbits 0.7% of GDP, with no nuclear capabilities and a firm non-proliferation stance. Security strategy is heavily dictated by 'Plan Gavilán,' aimed at securing the 391km border with Haiti against illegal migration and smuggling. The nation maintains a strong security partnership with the United States via the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).
Recent History
The last 30 years have seen the Dominican Republic transition from the end of the Balaguer era to a robust, if sometimes volatile, democracy. Economic liberalization in the 1990s and early 2000s facilitated the DR-CAFTA agreement, tethering the economy to US markets. The 2013 'Sentencia' (Constitutional Court ruling 168-13) regarding citizenship for those of Haitian descent significantly strained international relations and remains a focal point of foreign policy. Since 2020, under President Luis Abinader, the country has pursued a pro-investment, anti-corruption agenda while intensifying border security. The ongoing collapse of the Haitian state has forced the DR to lead calls for international armed intervention in Port-au-Prince to stabilize the region.
International Memberships
- Organization of American States (OAS)since 1948
Founding member; central focus on regional security and human rights.
- Central American Integration System (SICA)since 2013
A regional integration mechanism focused on trade and economic cooperation.
- United Nations (UN)since 1945
Original signatory; active in the ECOSOC and Human Rights Council.
- Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD)since 2021
A high-level political forum comprising the DR, Costa Rica, and Panama (later Ecuador), focused on democratic strengthening and migration.
MUN Negotiation Profile
Pro-Western / Global North-leaning Global South; member of the Non-Aligned Movement but closely aligned with the US and the Alliance for Development in Democracy.
Pragmatic and multilateral. The DR often acts as a bridge between Caribbean (CARICOM) interests and Central American (SICA) interests, focusing on economic stability and institutional democracy.
- Any forced integration or 'one-island solution' regarding Haiti.
- Interference in sovereign border enforcement rights (including the recent wall construction).
- International mandates that impose migration quotas beyond the country's economic capacity.
- "The humanitarian crisis in Haiti is a global responsibility and cannot be solved by the Dominican Republic alone."
- "Need for increased international investment in Caribbean climate resilience and renewable energy."
- "Strengthening the Rule of Law and anti-corruption measures within the Inter-American system."