Vásquez Martínez Presents 2025–2028 Strategic Plan to Strengthen Ties Between the Diaspora and Dominican Consulate in NY.

New York: In an unprecedented move for Dominican diplomacy abroad, the Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New York, Jesús Antonio Vásquez Martínez (Chú), officially presented to the Dominican community the ambitious 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, a roadmap aimed at redefining the role of the consulate and its connection with the diaspora.
During an exclusive meeting with El Faro Latino newspaper director Esteban Cabrera, Consul Vásquez Martínez outlined the plan’s five strategic pillars, designed to transform consular management, promote binational economic development, and empower Dominicans living abroad.
“The Dominican Consulate in New York has aligned government policy with the needs of our community through five core areas of action. The first is Institutional Strengthening, aimed at restoring trust in the consulate; followed by Management Improvement, focused on optimizing services through technology, continuous evaluation, and better resource coordination,” explained the consul to El Faro Latino.
Empowerment, Trade, and Foreign Policy: Three Key Pillars
One of the central pillars of the plan, according to the official document shared with the newspaper, is Empowerment and Engagement with the Diaspora. This component focuses on initiatives such as ESL courses, technical and professional training workshops, scholarship programs, and civic capacity-building, all to increase community participation in democratic processes, particularly the right to vote.
The fourth axis centers on Trade Promotion and Cooperation, aiming to boost Dominican exports to New York markets while fostering sustainable bilateral economic ties and expanding the presence of Dominican products in major distribution centers.
The final pillar highlights Foreign Relations as a State Policy, aligned with the Dominican Republic’s strategic goals in attracting investment, promoting tourism, generating employment, and strengthening Dominican families abroad.
- De izquierda a derecha: el Cónsul General de la República Dominicana en Nueva York, Jesús Antonio Vásquez Martínez (Chú); Esteban Cabrera, director del periódico El Faro Latino; y José Torres, líder político y comunitario de la diáspora dominicana en Nueva York.
“We are convinced this is the starting point for the change our diaspora needs and deserves. We are committed to steering the course of our nation from abroad,” affirmed the consul, who emphasized that this plan also reinforces compliance with U.S. State Department regulations and promotes coordinated efforts with local authorities in the states under his jurisdiction.
Structural Transformation in Consular Services
Consul Vásquez Martínez stated that one of his priorities has been to deeply modernize the consulate’s operations, with a focus on essential services for Dominicans living abroad, including:
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Consular assistance and protection in emergencies, repatriation, and legal matters
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Administrative and documentation services such as passport renewals, visas, and civil registry
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Cultural promotion through events, community support, and identity-building programs
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Trade and investment facilitation, connecting Dominican entrepreneurs to binational opportunities
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Immigration support, offering guidance for repatriation or regularization processes
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Electoral organization, ensuring the right to vote in national elections
“In every public institution I’ve led, I’ve worked to leave a legacy of structural transformation. The New York consulate is no exception,” he added.
Dr. Rafael Lantigua Award
- Rafael A. Lantigua, MD Profesor de Medicina en el Centro Médico de la Universidad de Columbia Asesor Especial del Decano para Asuntos de Salud Comunitaria.
The consul also told El Faro Latino that he has submitted a proposal to the National Congress to establish the Dr. Rafael Lantigua Award, aimed at annually recognizing outstanding community service and academic excellence among Dominicans living in the U.S., especially in New York.
He noted that the initiative, backed by Senate President Ricardo de los Santos and overseas deputies Kenia Bidó Parra, Norberto Rodríguez Vásquez, and Cirilo Moronta Then, pays tribute to Dr. Rafael Lantigua, a renowned physician and academic who is a prominent figure in the Dominican diaspora. The proposal has been submitted to the Commission for Dominicans Abroad, and if approved, will become the first official award granted by the Dominican state exclusively for its citizens abroad.
- De izquierda a derecha: Norberto Rodríguez Vásquez (Diputado-PRM), Cirilo Moronta Then (Diputado-PRM), la extranjera Kenia Bidó Parra (Diputado-PRM) y el presidente del Senado, Ricardo de los Santos.
Implementation Strategies: Efficiency, Culture, and Measurable Outcomes
The 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is supported by a carefully selected technical team responsible for implementing various strategies to ensure its success. Key elements include:
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Cultural and educational promotion, through partnerships with universities for scholarships and programs that reinforce Dominican identity
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Quality management, via internal audits and continuous monitoring systems
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Performance indicators, such as wait times, service volume, and user satisfaction levels
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User feedback surveys, to evaluate the impact of initiatives and adjust policies based on real community needs
The consulate has also scheduled biannual reviews of the plan and will issue budgetary and operational evaluation reports, reflecting a modern, transparent, and participatory approach to Dominican diplomacy abroad.
For more information, visit the Dominican Consulate in New York, located at 1501 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036 (Times Square), or call 212-768-2480. Open seven days a week (closes at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays).
This is a developing story, return to this newspaper for updates.