U.S. proposes Dominican Republic nominate candidate to lead UN Office on drugs

Santo Domingo.- During Monday’s edition of La Semanal, U.S. officials encouraged the Dominican Republic to consider nominating a candidate to lead the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Rebeca Márquez, Director of the Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in the country, delivered a communication to President Luis Abinader noting that the current UNODC Executive Director, Ghada Waly, will step down in November 2025, opening the selection process for a successor.

The U.S. government highlighted the Dominican Republic’s record in combating drug trafficking and organized crime, arguing that it has the credibility and leadership capacity to put forward a strong candidate. Washington also stressed that the Caribbean nation’s participation would strengthen UNODC’s role as the leading UN agency in crime prevention and drug control.

President Abinader thanked the U.S. for its recognition and confirmed that his administration will evaluate the proposal within the framework of its foreign policy. He reaffirmed that deepening international cooperation and advancing anti-drug policies remain state priorities for the Dominican Republic.