During the first seven months of 2026, the National Environmental Protection Service (Senpa) reported figures higher than those recorded in the same period of 2025. Between January and July, the institution carried out 36,512 environmental surveillance operations, compared to 23,534 in the previous year.
The increase in activities suggests a greater capacity to address situations related to environmental crimes in different regions of the country.
In that same period, the number of people detained rose from 3,136 to 7,685, and the vehicles seized increased from 1,433 to 2,332. These data reflect growth in the response to infractions affecting natural resources.
Senpa also detected a higher number of foreigners in irregular migratory condition during its environmental operations. In the first seven months of 2026, the institution handed over 5,213 people to the General Directorate of Migration, compared to 1,292 in the same period of the previous year, in compliance with its legal competencies.
The institution's performance has been influenced by the strengthening of operational capacities, with contributions from the Ministry of Environment in aspects such as mobility, equipment, and logistical support. According to authorities, these factors contributed to a greater territorial presence and more effective environmental surveillance.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources maintains that an improvement in Senpa's capacities...
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Senpa carried out 36,512 environmental surveillance operations between January and July 2026, exceeding the 23,534 during the same period in 2025. (Photo: Presidency of the Dominican Republic) During the first seven months of 2026, the National Environmental Protection Service (Senpa) reported figures higher than those recorded in the same period of 2025. Between January and July, the institution carried out 36,512 environmental surveillance operations, compared to 23,534 in the previous year. The increase in activities suggests a greater capacity to address situations related to environmental crimes in different regions of the country. In that same period, the number of people detained rose from 3,136 to 7,685, and the number of vehicles seized increased from 1,433 to 2,332. These data reflect growth in the response to infractions affecting natural resources. Senpa also detected a higher number of foreigners in irregular migratory condition during its environmental operations. In the first seven months of 2026, the institution handed over 5,213 people to the General Directorate of Migration, compared to 1,292 in the same period of the previous year, in compliance with its legal competencies. The institution's performance has been influenced by strengthening operational capacities, with contributions from the Ministry of Environment in aspects such as mobility, equipment, and logistical support. According to authorities, these factors contributed to a greater territorial presence and more effective environmental surveillance. The number of people detained in Senpa operations rose to 7,685 and the number of vehicles seized increased to 2,332 in the first seven months of 2026. (Photo: Ministry of Environment / ARCHIVE) The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources maintains that improved capacities of Senpa facilitate a broader state presence and a more timely response to environmental crimes. Support for this type of action, according to the communication, will continue. On the other hand, Senpa director, Brigadier General Ángel Camacho Ubiera, linked the results obtained to the directives of the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, as well as to the work of the personnel and operational strengthening. He mentioned that efforts are expected to continue working in coordination with other state institutions for environmental protection and compliance with current regulations. Surveillance in the National System of Protected Areas (Sinap) remained relevant for Senpa. Between January and July of 2026, 1,962 operations were carried out in these spaces, compared to 1,293 in the same period of the previous year. People detained for environmental infractions in protected areas increased from 513 to 3,716, and vehicles seized in these locations went from 46 to 264. The institution maintains a presence in these zones with the aim of preventing illegal occupations, logging, forest fires, illicit resource extraction, and other activities that could endanger ecosystems. Senpa handed over 5,213 foreigners in irregular migratory condition to the General Directorate of Migration during environmental operations in 2026. (Photo: Ministry of Environment / ARCHIVE) Senpa, an organization linked to the Ministry of Defense and working alongside the Ministry of Environment and the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Environmental Defense, conducts activities of surveillance, inspection, and control in environmental matters. The number of operations carried out in the first seven months of 2026 suggests an expansion in coverage and actions focused on protecting forests, rivers, protected areas, and other natural resources in the Dominican Republic. These figures can be interpreted as part of a trend toward greater state presence and continuity in environmental conservation tasks.