Dominican Republic
The crime and homicide rate in the Dominican Republic is considered relatively low compared to other countries in the region, and gang-related activities are reportedly under control. The country is nonetheless confronted with different security challenges related to cross-border criminal activities from neighbouring Haiti and its strategic location for narcotrafficking activities.[1] US-based Dominican gangs also participate in the smuggling of weapons and ammunition from the United States to the Dominican Republic, which leads to the high proliferation of illegally owned weapons throughout the country.[2]
In terms of Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM), the Dominican Republic established restrictive regulations on weapons possession and is party to the main international agreements and protocols on weapons and ammunition.[3] UNLIREC also notably supports the country’s weapons and ammunition disposal activities, helps enhance its stockpile management capacities[4] and provides assistance in the prevention of illicit trafficking of weapons and ammunition[5] in accordance with the country’s obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty.[6]
[1] Evan Ellis, “The Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic: Contributions and Challenges to Regional Security”, Estudios en Seguridad y Defensa 13(25), 2018, pp. 21-45.
[2] Douwe Den Held, “US Guns Fuels Arms Trafficking in the Dominican Republic”, Insight Crime, 03.06.22, https://insightcrime.org/news/us-guns-fuel-arms-trafficking-in-the-dominican-republic/.
[3] Philip Alpers, Amélie Rossetti and Leonardo Goi, “Dominican Republic — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law”, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney. GunPolicy.org, 2022, https://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/dominican-republic.
[4] UNLIREC, “UNLIREC and Government of Dominican Republic accelerate destruction of surplus and obsolete weapons and ammunition”, 13.03.13, https://www.un.org/disarmament/update/20130313/.
[5] UNLIREC, “Over 40 officials from Dominican Republic enhance skills in combating illicit trafficking of small arms and ammunitions”, 18.07.22, https://unlirec.org/en/over-40-officials-from-dominican-republic-enhance-skills-in-combating-illicit-trafficking-of-small-arms-and-ammunitions/.
[6] UNLIREC, “UNLIREC supports the Dominican Republic in physical security and firearms and ammunition stockpile management”, 2016, https://trend.pe/unlirec/en/unlirec-supports-the-dominican-republic-in-physical-security-and-firearms-and-ammunition-stockpile-management/.
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Further information
Accidental explosions
Since the beginning of data collection in 1979 by the Small Arms Survey, one accidental explosion was reported in the Dominican Republic (Table 1).
Table. 1 Accidental explosions in the Dominican Republic (1979-2021)
Year | Location | Owner/manager | Deaths | Injuries |
2000 | San Cristobal | n/a | 1 | 0 |
Source: Small Arms Survey (December 2021): Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites (UEMS). Database. https://smallarmssurvey.org/database/unplanned-explosions-munitions-sites-uems
Cases of diversion
One case of diversion has been reported in the Dominican Republic (Table 2).
Table 2: Cases of diversion of arms, ammunition, and explosives in the Dominican Republic
Year | Location | Description |
2015 | El Embalse | The Dominican military reported that individuals, presumably of Haitian origin, attacked a military detachment at the Dominican-Haitian border and stole two rifles (unspecified characteristics).[1] |
[1] N.d., « Buscan fusiles que robaron haitianos », Listin Diario, 05.08.15, http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2015/08/04/382943/roban-dos-fusiles-m16-en-un-destacamento-del-ejercito-en-la-zona-fronteriza.
Disposal
Although the Dominican Republic regularly dispose of its ammunition, no systematic information about the yearly amount in tonnes has been found.
Source: UNLIREC, “United Nations assists the Dominican Republic in the destruction of more than 30,000 firearms and 30 tonnes of ammunition”, 05.10.13, https://unlirec.org/en/united-nations-assists-the-dominican-republic-in-the-destruction-of-more-than-30-000-firearms-and-30-tonnes-of-ammunition/.
Needs
No needs have been reported for the Dominican Republic.
