Raquel Peña presents Augusto Taveras with the 2025 Oscar de la Renta Emigrant Award

Santo Domingo.- Vice President Raquel Peña led the presentation of the 2025 Dominican Emigrant Award “Mr. Oscar de la Renta”, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX). This year’s top honor went to Augusto Taveras, founder of the Rancheros Unidos Foundation in New York, in recognition of his extensive social work benefiting hundreds of families in Los Ranchos de Babosico, Santiago de los Caballeros.

Through his foundation, Taveras has built and donated more than 500 fully equipped homes and contributed to the creation of schools, sports facilities, and health centers. He has also supported scholarship and medical programs in collaboration with local institutions. In her remarks, Peña praised the dedication of Dominicans abroad, affirming that their success represents “the heart of an entire nation.”

Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez highlighted that protecting Dominicans overseas is a central pillar of President Luis Abinader’s foreign policy, while María Alejandra Castillo, MIREX’s director of Specialized Diplomacy, noted that true legacy is measured “in touched lives and shared hope.” In addition to the award, Taveras received a cash prize of one million pesos, sponsored by Banreservas.

During the seventh edition of the event, nine other Dominicans from Canada, the United States, Spain, and Scotland were also recognized for their excellence in psychology, medicine, education, technology, and community leadership. The selection committee was chaired by Haydee Rainieri, with José Luis “Pepín” Corripio as permanent advisor.

The ceremony, held at the National Theater, gathered government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and cultural figures. Closing the event, Raquel Peña reaffirmed that Dominican emigrants “are ambassadors of the best of our nation,” embodying the spirit and values of the Dominican Republic around the world.