Abinader Joins Regional Security Meeting Led by Trump

Dominican President Luis Abinader joined other leaders from the Western Hemisphere Tuesday for a high-level meeting of Escudo de las Américas, an initiative focused on strengthening regional cooperation against drug trafficking, cartels and other forms of transnational organized crime.

The meeting was led by U.S. President Donald Trump in New York as part of the diplomatic activities surrounding the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Regional Leaders Meet Before the Session

Before the formal meeting began, Abinader held informal conversations with several regional leaders, including Chilean President José Antonio Kast, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Argentine President Javier Milei, Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz and Peruvian politician Keiko Fujimori.

The leaders exchanged greetings, spoke informally and posed for photographs before the meeting began.

What Is Escudo de las Américas?

Escudo de las Américas brings together governments from across the hemisphere to improve coordination in confronting drug trafficking networks, cartels and other forms of organized crime operating across national borders.

The participating countries are the United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago.

For the Dominican Republic, participation in the initiative places regional security cooperation within a broader framework of coordination with governments across the Americas.

Dominican Republic Continues Participation

Abinader attended the meeting alongside Dominican Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó.

The president’s participation follows his attendance at an Escudo de las Américas summit in Miami in March, where participating leaders took part in the signing of a proclamation related to the creation of a regional coalition against drug trafficking cartels.

The Dominican government’s involvement reflects its participation in regional efforts addressing transnational crime, an issue that requires cooperation between countries because trafficking networks operate across borders.

Abinader’s Agenda in New York

The Escudo de las Américas meeting is part of Abinader’s broader international agenda in New York during the United Nations General Assembly high-level week.

His schedule includes bilateral meetings and high-level discussions covering areas such as international cooperation, trade, investment and development, as well as issues of interest to the Dominican Republic.

On Wednesday, September 23, after midday, Abinader is scheduled to deliver his address to the United Nations General Assembly, one of the main events of his diplomatic agenda during the week.

Later that evening, he is scheduled to receive the Gold Insigne of Americas Society, the organization’s highest distinction for democratically elected heads of state. If presented as announced, Abinader would become the first Dominican president to receive the distinction.