INPOSDOM Unveils Commemorative Postage Issue for the Central American and Caribbean Games

A commemorative postage issue marking the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games was officially launched this Tuesday by the Dominican Postal Institute (INPOSDOM).

The special issue supports the Santo Domingo 2026 Games, scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 8.

The Director General of the state postal agency, Erick Guzmán, formally presented the issue, which consists of 18,000 stamps distributed in 4,500 sheets of four stamps each, along with 2,000 souvenir sheets featuring two different designs. The presentation took place during a ceremony held at the Barceló Hotel (formerly Hotel Lina) in Santo Domingo.

Joining him were José P. Monegro, President of the Organizing Committee of the Games; Luis Mejía, President of Centro Caribe Sports; Garibaldy Bautista, President of the Dominican Olympic Committee; Tomás Polanco, Executive Director of the Games; and Oscar Pared, representative of the Dominican Philatelic Society.

Guzmán emphasized that the commemorative stamp serves as a kind of tattoo reflecting the Dominican essence, quality, heritage, culture, and nationality, noting that each stamp is much more than a means of postage—it is a representation of the nation’s history.

“Every time this stamp travels around the world, it will tell a story. It will tell the world that the Dominican Republic is ready for these Games,” he said. “But it will also showcase our culture, our roots, our cuisine, and its unique flavor. That is what we are capturing through this issue,” Guzmán added.

The opening remarks were delivered by journalist José P. Monegro, who stated that initiatives such as this one ensure that philately becomes part of the nation’s historical legacy. He highlighted that a social phenomenon as significant and far-reaching as the Central American and Caribbean Games being commemorated through four postal images is a source of great pride.

“When I learned that the Dominican Postal Institute and its Director, Erick Guzmán, had decided to honor this event—which belongs to every Dominican—we felt deeply proud. We are ready to serve as outstanding hosts for this event, which we will celebrate beginning on July 24,” said the President of the Organizing Committee.

As President of Centro Caribe Sports, the governing body of the Games, Luis Mejía recalled that the issuance of commemorative stamps has traditionally been linked to major sporting events. He praised INPOSDOM’s current administration for taking the initiative to ensure that the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, Santo Domingo 2026, would not pass without such recognition.

“Postage stamps are more than postal instruments, more than commemorative issues—they are history,” Mejía said. “But their true value, in this case, is that they are works of art. They travel the world and endure. The Games come and go and become part of history, but postage stamps live forever as historical records that define an identity, a culture, and a nation.”

Speaking in his capacity as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Mejía noted the long-standing and inseparable relationship between the Olympic Movement and philately.

He explained that philately has always been part of the Olympic Games tradition and that a Centennial edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games, such as Santo Domingo 2026, could not be imagined without a commemorative postage stamp.