The face of uncertainty and absence is part of the daily life of hundreds of Dominican families waiting for news of their loved ones. The feeling of not knowing where children, parents, or siblings are has marked the routine of those who have reported more than 4,000 disappearances in the Dominican Republic in the last eight years. Among the most shocking cases are more than 1,000 minors under 11 years old whose whereabouts remain unclear. The endless waiting, constant search, and silence from authorities have disrupted the lives of families across the country, turning everyday life into a scene of ongoing concern. The information comes from a request made by Listín Diario to the Central Directorate of Investigation and Search for Disappeared Persons (DICRIM). The official figures, covering from 2018 to July 2026, indicate that 4,171 people have been reported missing. Of this number, 3,398 have been found alive, 532 were located deceased, and 241 remain missing, keeping the wound of uncertainty open for their families. Records show that minors constitute a significant portion of the cases. Of the 1,640 children and adolescents reported, 201 are minors who were found alive by authorities and returned to their homes. In this group, most managed to return home, while another 6 continue in l…
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The Dominican Republic recorded 4,171 missing persons between 2018 and July 2026, according to DICRIM data. (Illustrative Image Infobae) The face of uncertainty and absence is part of the daily life of hundreds of Dominican families waiting for news of their loved ones. The feeling of not knowing where children, parents, or siblings are has marked the routine of those who have reported more than 4,000 disappearances in the Dominican Republic in the last eight years. Among the most shocking cases are over 1,000 minors under 11 years old whose whereabouts remain unclear. The endless waiting, constant search, and silence from authorities have disrupted the lives of families across the country, turning everyday life into a scene of ongoing concern. Disappearances in the Dominican Republic left 3,398 people found alive, 532 located deceased, and 241 still missing. (Illustrative Image Infobae) The information comes from a request made by Listín Diario to the Central Directorate of Investigation and Search for Missing Persons (DICRIM). The official figures, covering from 2018 to July 2026, indicate that 4,171 people have been reported missing. Of this number, 3,398 have been found alive, 532 were located deceased, and 241 remain missing, keeping the wound of uncertainty open for their families. Records show that minors constitute a significant portion of the cases. Of the 1,640 children and adolescents reported, 201 are minors who were found alive by authorities and returned to their homes. In this group, most managed to return home, while another 6 remain on the official search list. Additionally, adolescence appears to be the stage with the highest number of reports, especially between 13 and 17 years old, according to official data recorded by Dominican authorities to date. The phenomenon of disappearances gained strength starting in 2022, when reports of adolescents multiplied, rising from 24 to 161 cases in one year. This trend continued with 199 cases in 2023, 214 in 2024, 481 in 2025, and 268 until July 2026. Reports of children under 11 also increased, from 5 in 2021 to 25 in 2022. Children and adolescents totaled 1,640 disappearance reports, and 201 minors were found alive and returned home. (Illustrative Image Infobae) Santo Domingo province concentrates the highest number of reports since 2021, according to the Central Directorate of Investigation, followed by the National District and Santiago. These three areas lead the records for both adults and minors, indicating the need for special attention in these zones. Age group analysis shows that adolescents between 12 and 17 years old account for 34.5% of reports, constituting the most affected individual group. While adult men make up the largest group in absolute terms, the presence of minors in the figures raises particular alarm. The lack of information about the fate of over a thousand minors under 11 years old raises questions about protection and search mechanisms. Official statistics do not detail the causes of the disappearances, so uncertainty persists about the motives and outcomes of each case, while families hold onto hope of receiving answers.