Russia Opens First Embassy in Dominican Republic

Photo by Nicolas Hoizey on Unsplash. A beach in the Dominican Republic.

Introduction to the Embassy Opening

Russia has opened its first embassy in the Dominican Republic.

The opening happened on April 30, 2025, in Santo Domingo. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited for the event. This was the first time a Russian foreign minister had visited the country in 80 years of diplomatic relations.

Meetings and Discussions

During his visit, Lavrov met with Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez. They talked about growing trade and business ties. Lavrov called the Dominican Republic a “promising partner” and said both countries could benefit from working together.

They also discussed global politics. Topics included changes to the United Nations and creating a more balanced world order.

Crisis in Haiti

A big issue was the crisis in Haiti. Violence from gangs has led the Dominican Republic to deport over 180,000 people since October. Álvarez asked for more help from the United Nations.

He said the UN should give more money and support to a planned multinational police force led by Kenya to bring peace to Haiti.

Russia’s Growing Presence in the Caribbean

Russia’s move to open the embassy shows it wants to build stronger ties in Latin America and the Caribbean as global alliances change. In recent years the Dominican Republic has become a popular destination for Russian retirees.

Russian Community in the Dominican Republic

As of the 2010 census, there were 457 Russian-born residents in the Dominican Republic. By 2022, this number had increased, with reports indicating that approximately 17,000 Russians and Ukrainians were present in the country, many of whom were stranded due to travel restrictions following the onset of the war in Eastern Europe.

This significant rise suggests a growing Russian-speaking community in the Dominican Republic, likely influenced by tourism, business opportunities, and geopolitical factors.

Future Expectations

Further moves to increase the Russian presence in the Caribbean may well be expected, given that American influence overseas is likely to decline as the United States increasingly turns towards a policy of self isolation.

Sources: Listin Diario, AP.

Conclusion

The opening of the Russian embassy in the Dominican Republic marks a significant step in strengthening ties between the two nations. As global alliances continue to shift, it will be interesting to see how this relationship develops and what implications it may have for the region.