Dominican official nominated to lead UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader has nominated Leandro José Villanueva Acebal, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), as the Dominican Republic’s candidate to head the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The nomination follows a proposal by the United States in September encouraging the Dominican government to lead the agency.

The position will become vacant next month with the departure of current Executive Director Ghada Waly. According to a statement from the Dominican Presidency, U.S. officials highlighted the country’s “proven record and strong commitment to drug control and combating organized crime,” saying that a Dominican candidacy would strengthen UNODC’s leadership and international collaboration.

Before joining the DNCD, Villanueva served as Deputy Minister of Public Health and Director General of Medicines, Food, and Health Products (Digemaps). Established in 1997, UNODC operates in over 150 countries, working to curb drugs, crime, terrorism, and corruption through training, policy development, and cross-border cooperation.