Asodofade warns of alarming increase in disappearances in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Association of Relatives of the Disappeared (Asodofade) has voiced deep concern over the increasing number of disappearances in the Dominican Republic, calling the situation alarming and out of control. Reports of missing persons have surged this year, yet authorities have made little progress in addressing the crisis. Evelyn Abreu, journalist and director of Asodofade, criticized the government’s silence, the lack of effective legislation, and the stagnation of the Amber Alert bill in Congress as major obstacles to solving these cases.

Recent incidents, such as the disappearance of taxi driver Alfred Joel Fernández in Moca and the tragic murder of teacher Francisca Emiliano after she went missing, have intensified public outrage. Asodofade also highlighted unresolved cases, including Ana Iris Román, last seen visiting her father; Juan Americia Sosa, a U.S. citizen who vanished in Boca Chica a year ago; José Vittini, missing from La Romana for 11 months; and Erick Corder, whose burned vehicle was found.

The list of missing individuals continues to grow, with names like José Dicent Linares, Yoan Genao, Alcibíades Portes, Leandro Durán, Manuel Antonio Marte, and José Villanueva adding to the crisis. Asodofade urges authorities to take urgent action, implement effective response mechanisms, and pass necessary legislation to prevent further disappearances.