Dominican Republic hosts PAcCTO 2.0 congress on illicit asset recovery

Santo Domingo.- Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso emphasized that efficient and real-time international cooperation is essential to combat cybercrime and transnational criminal networks. Speaking at the Regional Seminar on Organized Crime and Asset Forfeiture, she warned that traditional, slow bureaucratic processes no longer meet the challenges posed by criminal groups that operate and communicate instantly across borders.

Reynoso highlighted the Dominican Republic’s progress, noting that over 30 major operations against drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, human trafficking, and arms trafficking have been carried out since 2020. She underscored the importance of targeting criminal finances, citing a corruption case where more than 2 billion pesos were recovered to fund community sports centers.

The event, held in Santo Domingo and organized by EL PAcCTO 2.0 with support from the EU, brought together 80 representatives from 17 Latin American and 5 European countries. Officials discussed best practices for asset recovery, legislative updates—especially to the Palermo Convention—and new threats such as cryptocurrency-based money laundering. Reynoso stressed that the Dominican Republic, given its strategic Caribbean location, is an ideal setting for strengthening regional cooperation and forming security alliances.