U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader shake hands during a meeting at the National Palace, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, November 26, 2025. ERIKA SANTELICES / REUTERS
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader announced Wednesday (Nov. 26) that he has authorized the United States government to operate inside the Caribbean country's restricted areas to help combat drug trafficking.
For a limited time, the United States can refuel its aircraft, transportation equipment and technical personnel in restricted areas at San Isidro Air Base and Las Americas International Airport, said Abinader, who made the announcement with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at his side.
Hegseth was in Santo Domingo on Wednesday to meet with the country's top leaders, including Abinader and Defense Minister Carlos Antonio Fernandez Onofre. It is the first major public agreement the United States has reached with a Caribbean country as the latter seeks friendly allies to support its attacks on suspected drug-trafficking boats in the region and beyond. Since the strikes began in early September, at least 83 people have been killed.
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Hegseth said the Dominican Republic was a regional leader ready to take on difficult challenges. "That's why I'm here today. That's why we decided to come here first," he said. "The Dominican Republic has stepped up its efforts." Hegseth said the United States would respect the sovereignty and laws of the Caribbean country as U.S. military personnel and aircraft prepare to deploy to the Dominican Republic. He did not provide additional details.
Furthermore, Abinader said the scope of the agreement is "technical, limited and temporary." The Dominican president added: "The objective is clear: to strengthen the ring of air and maritime protection 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."
Aircraft to support air patrol missions and evacuations
After a press conference where no questions were allowed, the president's office issued a more detailed statement, noting that multiple KC-135 tanker aircraft would be present to support air patrol missions, expanding surveillance and interdiction capabilities over much of the maritime and air domains.
"They would also provide refueling services to aircraft of partner countries, thereby ensuring sustainable surveillance, detection and tracking operations of verified illicit smuggling activities," according to the statement. Additionally, the C-130 Hercules cargo plane would facilitate air medical evacuations, firefighting, weather reconnaissance and disaster relief, the office said.
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Abinader noted that the Dominican Republic has seized nearly 10 times more drugs per year over the past five years than in the previous decade, thanks to close collaboration with the United States. "Our country faces a real threat, a threat that knows no borders or flags, that is destroying 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."
Some experts believe the ongoing strikes are a tactic to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to resign, given that the U.S. military has established its largest presence in the region in generations.
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