Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has temporarily moved his official residence from Santo Domingo to Santiago de los Caballeros, ordering the relocation by decree for September 14, 15 and 16, 2026, a period during which he will govern directly from the northern city.
The measure is contained in Decree 642-26, issued on September 14, and is based on Article 128 of the Dominican Constitution, which allows the president, in his role as head of government, to change the location of his official residence whenever he considers it necessary.
The decree states that the move responds to a work agenda scheduled in Santiago to supervise infrastructure projects, hold meetings with community groups and lead follow-up sessions with ministers and directors general.
Santiago as Temporary Seat of Government
For those three days, Santiago will serve as the temporary seat of the presidency, although the rest of the public administration will continue operating from its usual offices, according to the decree.
The relocation formalizes a working arrangement the government had already announced for this week in Santiago, where Abinader is due to hold meetings with different sectors and follow up on public projects currently underway.
Ministries Ordered to Keep Normal Operations
Article two of the decree establishes that ministers, vice ministers, directors general and other officials who report directly to the executive branch must remain at the head of their respective offices and ensure that day-to-day administration is not disrupted by the presidential relocation.
Official business will continue to be processed through the ordinary channels. Citizens and institutions are to direct their matters to the relevant ministries and agencies, which will forward to the presidency any issues that require the president's direct intervention.
The order remains in force until Abinader returns to his permanent seat in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. Santiago de los Caballeros, the country's second-largest city, sits in the northern Cibao region.
Legal Justification for the Move
The decree makes clear that the change of seat does not mean a general relocation of the government, only of the official residence and the presidential office for the specified period.
In the text, the executive branch grounds the measure in the principles of efficiency, transparency, coordination and unity of public administration set out in Law 247-12, as well as in the guarantees provided under Law 107-13 on administrative procedures.
The decree also orders that all ministries, directors general and other dependencies of the executive branch be formally notified of the arrangement.
What Happens Next
The temporary relocation is due to remain in effect until September 16, when Abinader is scheduled to conclude his work agenda in the Cibao region and return to Santo Domingo.
