149 foreign nationals officially become Dominican citizens

Santo Domingo.- A total of 149 people from more than 30 countries were sworn in as new Dominican citizens during a ceremony led by Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful at the Higher Institute for Police Studies (IPES) in Santo Domingo.

The largest groups of newly naturalized citizens came from Venezuela (39), Cuba (18), Colombia (14), Italy (12), and Spain and Russia with 10 each. The group also included individuals from countries such as Belarus, Pakistan, China, South Africa, Belgium, Germany, and Lebanon, reflecting the diversity of those who have chosen to make the Dominican Republic their permanent home.

During the ceremony, Raful encouraged the new citizens to respect the Constitution, obey the laws, and uphold the democratic values of the country. She said acquiring Dominican nationality represents a commitment to the nation’s development and to full participation in its social, economic, and cultural life.