AGP Executive Report

Film & Media Diplomacy: Panama and the Dominican Republic signed a bilateral agreement to jointly promote film and audiovisual co-productions, aiming to connect artists and boost private investment as Panama is guest of honor at FILSD 2026. Tourism & Development: Punta Bergantín is moving into a new investment phase, with $56M+ earmarked for tourism and real estate infrastructure in Puerto Plata, including road, utilities, and amenity expansion to reposition the North as a long-term “economic engine.” Sports & Culture Clash: After crowd trouble during Haiti vs. the Dominican Republic, the DR banned Haiti’s national team from using Dominican sports facilities; Haiti’s federation says the “Hispaniola is Haiti” celebration was about roots, while the DR filed a complaint to cool the political heat. Arts & TV: Dominican communicator Jenny Blanco announced a new Sunday TV project for Telecentro (Channel 13), adding another media chapter to her 15+ year career. Travel Spotlight: A travel feature spotlights Miches and Playa Esmeralda as a cheaper, quieter Dominican escape with winter whale-watching potential.

DR–Haiti Football Fallout: After crowd trouble around the Oct. 1 Concacaf Nations League match in Santo Domingo—where Haiti won 4-1—Dominican Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz announced a ban on Haiti’s national team using Dominican sports facilities, with President Luis Abinader backing the move; Haiti’s embassy said the comments didn’t reflect the Haitian government. Sports & Culture Spotlight: The Dominican Republic also heads into the next Nations League test as it prepares for Sunday’s match against Nicaragua, with quarterfinal hopes still in play. Media Watch: Communicator Jenny Blanco says her new Sunday night TV project will launch soon on Telecentro (Channel 13). Arts & Heritage in Motion: The DR returns to Madrid’s 2026 Hispanic Day Parade with about 200 participants showcasing music, dance, folklore, and carnival traditions. Travel With a Creative Lens: A new guide spotlights Miches and Playa Esmeralda as a budget-friendly Caribbean escape, with winter whale season as a bonus.

Hispaniola Sports Fallout: Dominican Republic Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz has banned Haiti’s national football team from using Dominican sports facilities after crowd violence around the Oct. 1 Nations League match in Santo Domingo, with President Luis Abinader backing the decision; Haiti won 4-1, and a filmed “Hispaniola is Haiti” remark by Haitian striker Wilson Isidor sparked extra controversy. Arts & Media Spotlight: Dominican communicator Jenny Blanco announced a new Sunday-night TV project for Telecentro (Channel 13), with details on the premiere date still pending. Culture on the Move: The Dominican Republic returns to Madrid’s 2026 Hispanic Day Parade with about 200 participants, including folkloric troupes and a Dominican float featuring national symbols and regional products. Travel With a DR Twist: A travel roundup highlights Miches’ Playa Esmeralda as a winter-friendly, budget-leaning Dominican escape. Aviation Luxury: Casa de Campo named Magellan Jets its preferred private aviation partner, aiming to make private arrivals feel seamless from airport to resort.

Hispaniola Football Tensions: The Dominican Republic banned Haiti from playing at its stadiums after crowd trouble around a Concacaf Nations League match in Santo Domingo, where Haiti won 4-1 and Wilson Isidor scored twice—setting up more high-stakes island rivalry. Latino Arts & Media: The Critics Choice Celebración spotlighted Latino and Hispanic talent, honoring John Leguizamo and others while underscoring representation on screen. Dominican TV Spotlight: Communicator Jenny Blanco announced a new television project for Telecentro (channel 13), launching Sundays at 11:00 p.m. Culture on the Move: The Dominican Republic returns to Madrid’s 2026 Hispanic Day Parade with about 200 participants, bringing music, dance, folklore, and a major Dominican float. Arts & Travel Buzz: A travel feature spotlights the Dominican Republic’s Miches and Playa Esmeralda as a winter escape—plus a separate tourism push for the new Punta Bergantin beach destination. Fashion/Commerce: LC Waikiki expands in Latin America, with a reported Uruguay debut plan that signals continued regional retail momentum.

Hispaniola Rivalry on the Pitch: Haiti beat the Dominican Republic 4-1 in a sold-out Concacaf Nations League clash in Santo Domingo, keeping Les Grenadiers on a perfect run and pushing the DR into a must-win final group match. Matchday Stakes: The Dominican Republic now heads to face Nicaragua with a quarterfinal berth within reach, while Nicaragua sit bottom and need results to avoid the drop zone. Culture Abroad: The DR returns to Madrid’s 2026 Hispanic Day Parade with about 200 participants, bringing merengue, dance, folklore, carnival groups, and a Dominican float led by Manuel Montilla and Mariasela Álvarez. Arts & Community: Candela: Latin Dance Club held its second-annual “Desfiles de Faroles” banquet, spotlighting Latin music, performances, and an open dance floor. Fashion/Business: LC Waikiki plans a Uruguay debut with a $20M expansion—five stores by 2030—marking a Latin America push. Visual Arts Spotlight: Kehinde Wiley has written to President Trump asking to buy back a painting removed from the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Arts & Media: RTVD Studios’ “La Familia Espejo” is rolling out a streaming-first second season, letting viewers unlock the first episode via QR code from anywhere, with the series tackling everyday Dominican issues plus heavier themes like drug use, trafficking, and abuse. Local Culture & Faith: In Orlando, Dominicans gathered for the first Mass honoring Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes (Our Lady of Mercy), linking the devotion to Dominican tradition and the Santo Cerro story. Music & Sports (DR-linked): Canada’s women’s volleyball World Cup run in 2027 is tied to NORCECA qualifying played in the Dominican Republic, while the U-23 women’s national team is set to train with friendlies against the Dominican Republic U-23s. Arts & Community: A Dominican-focused Spanish radio station, La Kalle 106.5, launched in the Lehigh Valley with programming from the Dominican Republic. Film (DR talent): 16-year-old Dios Mar, born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Paterson, NJ, steps into film production as executive producer of the thriller “HD.”

Dominican Arts & Media: Santo Domingo’s FILSD 2026 is back with 700+ events through Oct. 4, centering literature, poetry, and performing arts, with José Mármol as featured author. Screen Culture: EUROCINE 2026 launches Oct. 26, with the opening film Gloria! and a closing spotlight on Dominican director Nelson Carlos de los Santos Arias’s Pepe, bringing 14 contemporary European titles to Dominican theaters. TV & Streaming: RTVD Studios’ La Familia Espejo is rolling out a streaming-first second-season launch via QR code access, aiming to pull everyday Dominican stories closer to digital audiences. Governance & Integrity: President Luis Abinader led the public integrity act, receiving an OECD-backed integrity study and pushing reforms from “diagnosis to action.” Arts & Community: A Santo Domingo book-fair spotlight pairs with broader cultural programming as the week’s arts coverage keeps leaning into Dominican voices.

Streaming & TV Innovation: RTVD Studios’ “La Familia Espejo” is rolling out a streaming-first second-season launch, letting viewers access the first episode via QR code from anywhere—aiming to tackle everyday Dominican issues (including drug use, trafficking, abuse) with story-driven alternatives. Film Festival Spotlight: EUROCINE 2026 brings contemporary European cinema to Dominican screens, opening Oct. 26 with “Gloria!” and closing with Dominican director Nelson Carlos de los Santos Arias’ “Pepe,” featuring 14 films and a focus on co-productions and under-screened voices. Literature & Performing Arts: The 28th Santo Domingo International Book Fair (FILSD 2026) runs through Oct. 4 with 700+ activities centered on literature, poetry, and performances, spotlighting José Mármol and multiple new releases. Fashion & Culture (Local/Global): Miss World 2026 winner Joheirry Mola returns to Santo Domingo for a Presidential Medal ceremony, marking a historic homecoming for the Dominican Republic. Sports on the Cultural Radar: CONCACAF Nations League group play continues with the Dominican Republic in Group A, shaping the road toward November quarterfinal matchups.

Governance & Integrity: President Luis Abinader led the public integrity act at the National Palace, receiving an OECD integrity study with DIGEIG that maps progress, risks, and gaps—pushing the country from “diagnosis to action.” Arts & Culture (Film): EUROCINE 2026 is set to bring contemporary European cinema to Dominican audiences, opening Oct. 26 with Gloria! and closing with Dominican filmmaker Nelson Carlos de los Santos Arias’s Pepe. Literature & Performing Arts: The 28th Santo Domingo International Book Fair (FILSD 2026) runs through Oct. 4 with 700+ activities centered on literature, poetry, and performances, spotlighting José Mármol. Music & Spotlight: Miss World 2026 Joheirry Mola returned to Santo Domingo and was honored at the Presidential Palace with the Presidential Medal to Civil Merit. Sports & National Pride: The DR’s rise in soccer gets a spotlight in Nations League context, while CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal matchups are starting to take shape. Community & Food: A Dominican-themed Creole food moment is in the mix as global diaspora flavors keep rolling into major festivals. Arts in the Spotlight (Controversy): Artist Kehinde Wiley asked President Trump to buy back a painting removed from the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, reigniting debate over art, representation, and diplomacy.

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: A new piece marks September’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme “Together, We Are More,” with a personal roundup of Latinos who shaped culture and community. Maritime Tragedy Off Puerto Rico: The U.S. Coast Guard kept searching after a migrant boat capsized near Mona Island; at least 40 were rescued and 2 bodies recovered, with reports that many onboard were from the Dominican Republic. Dominican Arts & Culture on Stage: FILSD 2026’s Santo Domingo International Book Fair is adding nightly Dominican music at the Oasis Lúdico, blending merengue, bachata, jazz, folklore, and more. Tourism Meets Culture: The Ministry of Tourism launched “Siente RD / Feel Dominican Republic,” pitching the country through human connection. Aviation Boost: IDAC says Dominican Republic flight operations topped 585,000 over three years, signaling growing regional access. Cultural Diplomacy Clash: Artist Kehinde Wiley asked to buy back his embassy painting removed in Santo Domingo after Trump-linked officials criticized it. Tech & Identity: Indotel faced backlash after earthquake alerts failed; meanwhile, biometric enrollment tech is expanding with portable multimodal stations.

Art & Culture Diplomacy: Nigerian-American artist Kehinde Wiley has asked President Trump to let him buy back his painting “Young Artists After Siamesas 1960,” removed from the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo after officials criticized it as “woke” and “aesthetically terrifying.” Fashion in the Spotlight: Monaco’s Beatrice Borromeo and Tatiana Santo Domingo sat front row at Dior during Paris Fashion Week, with the event also marked by personal grief for Borromeo. Literature Meets Music: The XXVIII Santo Domingo International Book Fair (FILSD 2026) is pairing nightly Dominican performances at the Oasis Lúdico, blending merengue, bachata, jazz, folklore, and more. Tourism Branding: The Dominican Republic’s new “Siente RD / Feel DR” campaign is rolling out in the U.S., pitching the country through human connection. Public Tech Accountability: After a 27 September earthquake, Dominicans criticized a failed cell alert; Indotel says it paid nearly RD$59.9M for the Cell Broadcast System that stayed silent. Music Scene: FILSD 2026 continues to spotlight live Dominican music every night at the Plaza de la Cultura. Regional Arts Buzz: Santo Domingo’s Chinatown hosted the Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrating Chinese culture and Dominican-Chinese ties.

Haitian Assassination Trial: Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a Haitian American pastor accused by U.S. prosecutors of helping orchestrate the 2021 killing of President Jovenel Moïse, is set for trial in Miami after pleading not guilty; prosecutors say the plot was organized and financed in South Florida, and witnesses are expected to include Moïse’s widow. Earthquake & Alerts: After a 4.8 quake shook the Dominican Republic, the COE explained why the Cell Broadcast emergency alert didn’t reach phones, saying the system isn’t fully integrated across all providers yet. Culture & Community: Santo Domingo’s Chinatown hosted the Mid-Autumn Festival, spotlighting Chinese-Dominican ties through dragon performances, music, and family activities. Merengue Crime: A merengue singer’s wife was killed in a home robbery in September, with prosecutors pointing to a trusted chauffeur as a key suspect. Sports (CONCACAF): Trinidad and Tobago coach Derek King rued missed chances after a loss to the Dominican Republic, keeping the region’s Nations League race tight.

Arts & Culture in the Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo’s Chinatown hosted the Mid-Autumn Festival, spotlighting Chinese culture and Dominican-Chinese ties with performances, food, and community events. Music & Legacy: Calypso legend Mighty Sparrow has died at 91, a reminder of the Caribbean’s deep musical roots that also echo across the DR’s own soundscape. Film/Production Spotlight: London-based Peanuts Entertainment launched with “Alive in Their Garden,” a Spanish-language period drama inspired by the Mirabal Sisters’ legacy—developed with Mirabal family collaborators and the Mirabal Sisters House Museum. Community & Safety: After a 5.5 quake, the COE explained why cell-phone earthquake alerts didn’t reach everyone, citing protocol-based activation and incomplete full coverage across telecom providers. Public Life & Human Rights: A Human Rights Experts report says US migration externalization arrangements across 35+ territories are linked to torture, persecution, and other abuses—an international story with clear human stakes for the region. Local Crime: A merengue singer’s wife was murdered in a home robbery case after serving lemonade to the attackers, with arrests including a trusted chauffeur.

Tourism & Hospitality: Dominican tourism leaders say the country’s famed warmth is fading post-pandemic, with hotels citing service gaps and upkeep challenges as competition rises. Crime & Justice: A merengue singer’s wife in Santo Domingo Oeste was murdered during a robbery after serving lemonade to attackers; prosecutors say a trusted chauffeur was among those arrested. Public Safety Debate: Human rights advocates report a sharp rise in police shootings, arguing the “informal death penalty” culture is growing even without an official death penalty. Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 4.8 quake rattled the Dominican Republic, with light-to-moderate shaking reported across the island. Sports & Culture: Lester Quinones shined for the Dominican Republic at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, while Beto Cuevas brought an acoustic career journey to Santiago’s Gran Teatro del Cibao. Media & Entertainment: Final Fantasy’s mobile gacha expands to include the Dominican Republic, and a Dominican merengue-related murder case continues to dominate headlines.

CONCACAF Nations League: Caribbean teams are proving they’re not just “supporting roles” anymore, with results showing tighter margins and late drama across League A. Santiago Live Music: Chilean-Canadian star Beto Cuevas made his Santiago debut at the Gran Teatro del Cibao’s Restoration Hall, delivering an acoustic career-spanning set. Tourism Hospitality Watch: Dominican hotel operators say the country’s famed warmth has cooled since the pandemic, pointing to service training and facility upkeep as key challenges. Crime & Culture Shock: Merengue singer Julián Oro Duro’s wife was murdered during a home robbery after serving lemonade to the attackers, a case now tied to arrests and wider concerns about violence. Santo Domingo Book Fair: FILSD 2026 opened new Panama, José Mármol, and Comics pavilions, with the fair running Sept. 24–Oct. 4. Fashion & Diaspora: Caribbean designers brought island creativity to New York Fashion Week via a collective showcase, with Dominican leadership among organizers. Sports Spotlight: Dominican basketball’s Lester Quinones shined at the Intercontinental Cup, while Dominican tourism promotion continues with FIT 2026 as Guest of Honor in Argentina.

Tourism Hospitality: Dominican hotel leaders say the country’s famed warmth is “diminished” post-pandemic, with service quality, facility upkeep, and guest-care consistency flagged as key challenges. Merengue Crime: Santo Domingo Oeste rocked by the murder of merengue singer Julián Oro Duro’s wife after she served lemonade to the men who later attacked her; authorities say a confession and arrests followed. Public Safety: The National Police reported multiple alleged gunfire deaths nationwide, while a human-rights advocate argues the numbers are higher and calls for an end to “police killings.” Arts & Culture: FILSD 2026 in Santo Domingo opened new pavilions for Panama, José Mármol, and comics, spotlighting Dominican literary voices and visual culture. Music Spotlight: YEИDRY’s debut album Como Agua traces her genre-hopping journey and the behind-the-scenes battles that delayed her release. Fashion & Identity: Caribbean designers brought island creativity to New York Fashion Week, with Dominican leadership highlighted in the Caribbean Fashion Collective. Sports on TV: Sunday listings include major match coverage and golf/Presidents Cup final-round viewing.