Dominican Foreign Minister and Marco Rubio Discuss Security and Economic Cooperation in Washington

Dominican Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on Friday, October 16, as both governments reviewed their bilateral agenda and discussed ways to deepen cooperation on shared regional priorities.

According to statements released by the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Department of State, the discussions covered regional security, economic cooperation and ongoing joint initiatives. The U.S. account specifically highlighted efforts to strengthen security cooperation against drug cartels and groups it describes as narco-terrorist organizations, as well as continued collaboration on critical minerals investment.

Security Cooperation and the Fight Against Organized Crime

Security was a central issue in the meeting. Washington said the two officials discussed deepening cooperation against criminal groups operating across the hemisphere, including drug cartels and narco-terrorist organizations.

For the Dominican Republic, cooperation with the United States on regional security is relevant to efforts against drug trafficking, transnational crime and the illicit movement of weapons. The two countries have maintained security coordination as part of their broader diplomatic relationship, although the public statements on Friday did not announce a new security agreement or provide specific operational commitments arising from the meeting.

Critical Minerals and Economic Cooperation

Rubio’s office also identified the U.S.–Dominican Republic Critical Minerals Framework as an area of continued collaboration. The officials discussed advancing concrete investment in the mining sector under that framework.

Critical minerals have become an important focus of international economic and supply-chain policy because of their role in manufacturing, energy technologies and other strategic industries. The public readout did not identify particular minerals, investment amounts, companies or project timelines connected to the discussion.

The economic dimension complements the two governments’ stated interest in expanding investment and productive partnerships. Any future projects will depend on the specific initiatives developed under the framework and on the relevant investment and regulatory processes.

Meeting Follows U.S.-Caribbean Cooperation Dialogue

Bisonó’s meeting with Rubio formed part of an official visit to the United States and Canada from October 14 to 17. On October 15, the Dominican foreign minister participated in the opening of the U.S.-Caribbean Dialogue at the State Department, where he presented proposals for strengthening regional cooperation.

Those proposals covered five areas: regional energy security; economic diplomacy to attract investment and productive partnerships; protection of strategic infrastructure through cybersecurity, cargo traceability and port security; joint responses to natural disasters and health emergencies; and stronger action against drug trafficking, transnational crime and illicit arms trafficking.

The agenda places the bilateral meeting within a broader effort to coordinate U.S. and Caribbean priorities on security, energy, economic growth and strategic infrastructure. Bisonó was accompanied at the regional dialogue by Dominican Defense Minister Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre and Dominican Ambassador to the United States María Isabel Castillo.

No New Agreements Announced

Both governments described the meeting as an opportunity to review ongoing initiatives and reaffirm their commitment to cooperation. Bisonó emphasized communication, trust and shared values as foundations of the relationship.

However, neither government’s public summary detailed a new agreement, funding commitment or implementation timetable resulting directly from the meeting. The stated priorities provide a picture of the areas both sides want to advance, while the practical results will depend on subsequent negotiations and follow-up work.

The visit is part of the Dominican Republic’s broader diplomatic effort to strengthen ties with North American partners and expand cooperation on regional security and economic development.