The first four months of 2026 saw 394 violent deaths in the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic recorded 394 violent deaths in the first four months of 2026, according to the Ministry of Interior and Police. (Illustrative Image: Infobae) The recent report presented by Faride Raful, Minister of Interior and Police, indicates that the Dominican Republic registered 394 violent deaths between January and April 2026. This figure is set against a backdrop of persistent crime and challenges for security forces, who are facing both common and organized crime, as well as various social problems. Of the total number, 117 deaths are attributed to crimes, including eight members of the National Police. Another 93 cases correspond to deaths in confrontations between civilians and police officers. In addition, 184 people died in situations related to fights, revenge killings, femicides, and suicides of the perpetrators. This distribution shows that violent mortality in the country is not only related to organized crime, but also to interpersonal conflicts and gender-based violence. During the first months of 2026, authorities reported that the accumulated homicide rate in May was 7.34 per 100,000 inhabitants. According to Minister Raful, this figure represents a sustained reduction compared to previous periods: in May 2023, the rate was 12.7, in 2024 it fell to 10.05, and in 2025 it was 8.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. The progressive decline allows authorities to maintain that there is an annual downward trend in the severity of the phenomenon, reported EFE. The accumulated homicide rate in May 2026 fell to 7.34 per 100,000 inhabitants, showing a downward trend since 2023. (Image: Infobae) In statements, Raful described the confrontations between officers and alleged criminals as a "complex issue." She explained that many police officers "are met with gunfire during operations" and that organized crime is showing increasing sophistication. Despite this risky environment, the official emphasized that institutions such as the National Police and the National Directorate for Drug Control continue their efforts to dismantle criminal structures. For his part, the Director General of the National Police, Andrés Cruz, stated that "the institution maintains its commitment to preserving the physical integrity and human rights." However, he warned that "officers will not back down in the face of crime." He clarified that the main objective is "to apprehend suspects and bring them before the Public Prosecutor's Office," although he admitted that many operations result in confrontations due to the armed reaction of those being pursued. In the first months of 2026, official figures recorded 32 femicides in the Dominican Republic, a figure that maintains social concern about gender-based violence. According to information released by the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Women, the National Statistics Office, and the Observatory for Justice and Gender of the Judiciary, 54% of the perpetrators are under arrest. The beginning of 2026 shows 32 femicides and 54% of the perpetrators under arrest, according to official data from the Observatory for Justice and Gender. (Illustrative Image: Infobae) Most of the crimes were committed by partners or former partners of the victims, which reveals an alarming trend that directly affects families. This violence leaves dozens of minors without a mother and has a profound impact on the social and emotional environment of those affected. According to official organizations, the phenomenon of femicides reflects that institutional responses have not yet been able to sufficiently curb these episodes, despite efforts to reduce the incidence compared to previous years. The persistence of this type of crime underscores the need to strengthen prevention and protection policies, as well as support for families facing the direct consequences of gender-based violence.