Dominican Republic: Presidential inauguration to be held in Santo Domingo on August 16

Event

The new president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, will be sworn in on Sunday, August 16. The inauguration ceremony in Santo Domingo will take place at the National Assembly, following which Abinader will meet members of the cabinet at the National Palace. They will then accompany their new president to the Tedeum in the Primada Cathedral of America and to the floral offering at the Altar of the Fatherland. The ceremony will be held with reduced numbers compared to previous years due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the traditional military parade, which has previously drawn large crowds to the Malecon, has been canceled.

Despite the reduced scale of the proceedings, a heightened security presence is expected in the vicinity of the ceremony due to the presence of a number of foreign dignitaries, including US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Aranzazu González Laya. Road closures for processions and VIP cavalcades are likely during the inauguration and associated overland disruption is possible.

Context

Abinader of the Modern Revolutionary Party defeated his rivals, including Gonzalo Castillo of the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (DLP), in the July 5 presidential election, winning over fifty percent of the vote. Incumbent president Danilo Medina of the DLP was ineligible to stand for re-election, having served two consecutive terms since 2012.

Advice

Individuals in the Dominican Republic, and particularly in Santo Domingo, are advised to monitor developments, avoid all demonstrations, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.