Duarte Institute warns of foreign property acquisitions in Colonial City

Santo Domingo.- During the 181st-anniversary commemoration of Juan Pablo Duarte’s return after National Independence, Wilson Gómez Ramírez, president of the Duarte Institute, raised concerns over the increasing acquisition of properties in the Colonial City by foreigners. He urged legislators to implement clear regulations to safeguard the nation’s historical and cultural heritage.

Gómez Ramírez emphasized that ownership of these historically significant properties should be restricted to Dominicans, citing a similar issue at the border, where constitutional mandates prohibit foreign ownership in designated areas. He warned that failure to enforce these laws threatens national identity, land sovereignty, and strategic territorial control.

The anniversary event, held at the Sea Turtle Sanctuary in Sans Soucí, featured a patriotic ceremony organized by the Duarte Institute and the Dominican Navy. Highlights included a parade, a floral tribute, and speeches by Gómez Ramírez and Rear Admiral Juan Gilberto Núñez, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to Duarte’s legacy and Dominican independence.