SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 officially came to an end after 16 days of competition, closing with music, celebrations and tributes to the athletes, coaches, delegations, volunteers and personnel who helped make the regional sporting event possible.
President Luis Abinader officially declared the Games closed during a ceremony at the Banreservas Arena Virgilio Travieso Soto, highlighting the dedication of the athletes and the work of those involved in organizing the competition. The president delivered a special message to the Dominican delegation, praising the athletes for their commitment while representing the country.
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One of the most emotional moments of the ceremony came with a video presentation featuring memorable scenes from the Games and recognizing the dedication of the volunteers who worked throughout the competition.
Dominican music played a central role in the closing celebration. Juan Luis Guerra, accompanied by the Más que Vencedores choir, performed Canto a la Patria as the audience joined in. Techy Fatule and Manny Cruz later brought a festive atmosphere to the arena with their musical production Dominicano.
Organizers Recognized for Santo Domingo 2026
Centro Caribe Sports President Luis Mejía Oviedo praised the organization of Santo Domingo 2026 and recognized the work of the Organizing Committee, the Dominican government, the Ministry of Sports, the Dominican Olympic Committee and other institutions involved in staging the Games.
Mejía Oviedo described the conclusion of the competition as a moment of pride and said Santo Domingo 2026 marked the beginning of a new century for the Central American and Caribbean Games, which celebrated their centennial during this edition.
Members of the Centro Caribe Sports Executive Committee presented Centennial Medals to members of the Organizing Committee, while José P. Monegro received special recognition for his leadership of the organization.
Monegro highlighted not only the 16 days of competition but also the years of preparation required to organize the event. He recognized the support of President Abinader, Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía and Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz.
Special Tributes During Closing Ceremony
Several individuals received special recognition during the ceremony. President Abinader presented a medal of merit to Víctor José Herrera, the first volunteer to join the Games, honoring his contribution to the organization.
Colombian weightlifter Yeison López was also recognized after setting a world record during the competition. Sarah Rosario, a member of the Centro Caribe Sports Executive Committee, presented the award.
Dominican sprinter Christopher Melenciano, an athlete with a hearing disability, received another special recognition alongside his mother, Marisol. Melenciano was part of the Dominican team that captured gold in the mixed 4×400-meter relay.
Centro Caribe Sports also presented trophies to the countries finishing at the top of the overall medal standings. Cuba received the third-place trophy, Colombia finished second and Mexico was recognized as champion of the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games.
Dominican Republic Finishes with Record 150 Medals
The host nation concluded Santo Domingo 2026 with 150 medals, including 46 gold, 37 silver and 67 bronze, establishing the largest medal haul in Dominican history at the Central American and Caribbean Games.
The Dominican Republic surpassed its previous record of 133 medals established at Mayagüez 2010, confirming Santo Domingo 2026 as the country’s most successful overall performance in the regional competition.
Athletics led the Dominican medal production with 23 medals, including 14 gold, while boxing delivered one of the most impressive performances of the Games by winning seven championships during a historic day of competition. Weightlifting, judo, water skiing and several other disciplines also made significant contributions.
Among the standout Dominican athletes was Liranyi Alonso, who captured four gold medals. Marileidy Paulino added two gold medals and once again demonstrated why she remains one of the world’s leading 400-meter runners.
Dominican success also extended to team sports. The men’s softball team retained its regional championship by defeating Venezuela 5-1 in the final.
Santo Domingo 2026 also marked the historic debut of eSports at the Central American and Caribbean Games, with Dominican competitor Saúl “MenaRD” Mena becoming the country’s first gold medalist in the discipline.
With the closing ceremony complete, the Dominican Republic said goodbye to a Games defined by record-breaking performances, organizational recognition and the most successful medal campaign in the nation’s history.
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