Santo Domingo.- In a ceremony held at the auditorium of the Madre y Maestra Catholic University, 82 foreign nationals from 30 countries officially became Dominican citizens. The event was led by Faride Raful, Minister of the Interior and Police, who called on the new citizens to uphold the Constitution, respect national laws, and contribute to the country’s development.
The newly naturalized citizens hail from diverse regions including Pakistan, South Africa, Vietnam, Russia, Croatia, Spain, Italy, France, Cuba, Peru, Colombia, and the United States. The countries with the most new Dominicans were Cuba, Peru, Spain, and Colombia (8 each), followed by Russia, Italy, Venezuela, and the U.S. (6 each), and Pakistan (4).
Minister Raful emphasized the country’s safety, calling the Dominican Republic the “safest country in the Caribbean,” with aspirations to lead all of Latin America. Spanish citizen Miguel Palmero spoke on behalf of the group, expressing gratitude and describing the country as “wonderful.” The event also featured cultural performances and was attended by officials from the naturalization and immigration departments.