President Abinader Affirms That Santo Domingo 2026 Is Progressing According to Plan

The President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, stated this Tuesday that preparations for the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 are progressing as planned and with satisfactory results, following a meeting he led with members of the Organizing Committee.

The President spoke after receiving a detailed report on the status of the Games’ organization, highlighting the level of planning, adherence to the schedule, and the positive impact the event will have on the country.

“We are very pleased with our planning work. Everything is moving at the pace we expected, even with a significant margin,” said President Abinader, who was accompanied by Minister of Sports Kelvin Cruz and several government officials whose institutions are involved in staging the event.

The Head of State emphasized that the main objective is for the Games to be held with transparency, efficiency, and a strong sense of national identity, and called on the entire population to feel part of this historic sporting event.

“Now what remains for all Dominicans is to participate, to start feeling, planning, and enjoying these Games,” he said.

Abinader reiterated that the Government’s goal is for Santo Domingo 2026 to set a benchmark in the region.

“We hope these Games will be the best ever held and a source of pride for our entire nation,” he stated.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Cruz echoed the President’s views and added that he is proud to be working as part of a team to deliver a landmark event for the country.

“We are well ahead in many organizational areas, in every sense of the word,” said Cruz. “We are all committed, there is no room for unnecessary noise, and I am confident these will be the best Games we have ever staged.”

Prior to the President’s remarks, José Monegro, President of the Santo Domingo 2026 Organizing Committee, provided technical and logistical details on the progress of the event preparations.

Monegro explained that all areas are operating according to the previously established calendar and that, in some cases, work is progressing ahead of schedule.

“In each area we are on track with the previously established calendar. In fact, in some areas we are ahead of schedule,” he noted.

The Organizing Committee President also reported that the Games will set historic participation records.

“We are talking about full participation records: 6,220 athletes will take part, more than 1,000 athletes are already qualified, and 27 countries already have athletes qualified for the Central American and Caribbean Games,” he said.

He further stressed that the organization is guided by three fundamental pillars: austerity, modernity, and integration.

“These Games have three essential characteristics: austere, modern, and inclusive. Austerity means investing what must be invested, when it must be invested, and in what must be invested,” Monegro emphasized.

The 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 will be held from July 24 to August 8, with competitions taking place in Santo Domingo and several provinces across the country, as part of an event designed to unite the nation through sport.