Honduran President Nasry Asfura Zablah arrived at the National Palace in Santo Domingo at 10:53 a.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2026, for bilateral talks with Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader.
The high-level meeting focuses on strengthening economic and diplomatic relations between the two Latin American nations through official delegation talks and the signing of strategic cooperation instruments.
Asfura was welcomed with full head-of-state honors upon entering the presidential grounds, including a call to attention, a presentation of arms, five flourishes, a 21-gun artillery salute, and the performance of the national anthems of Honduras and the Dominican Republic.
Top Dominican cabinet members joined Abinader to receive the Honduran delegation, including Foreign Minister Victor Ito Bisono, Defense Minister Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernandez Onofre, Sports and Recreation Minister Kelvin Cruz, and Minister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs Eduardo Yayo Sanz Lovaton.
The National Palace, located in the capital city of Santo Domingo, serves as the primary seat of government for the executive branch of the Dominican Republic.
Diplomatic delegations and institutional representation
The composition of both official delegations reflects a broad bilateral agenda covering foreign policy, international trade, foreign investment, and regional athletic cooperation.
Dominican representatives taking part in the discussions include ProDominicana executive director Vladimir Camilo Pimentel and Vice Minister of Bilateral Foreign Policy Francisco A. Caraballo Nunez.
Dominican Ambassador to Honduras Luis Garcia is also participating in the sessions, alongside Jose P. Monegro, president of the Organizing Committee for the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, and Luis Mejia Oviedo, president of Centro Caribe Sports.
The Honduran delegation is led by Secretary of State for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Migdalia Aguero, Tourism Secretary Andres de Jesus Ehren Martinez, and Minister Advisor for Investment Promotion Epaminondas Marinakys.
Additional Honduran delegation members include Honduran Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Ernesto Alfonso Pumpo Aguilar, Foreign Secretariat executive assistant Asunta Garcia, presidential advisor Jose Roberto Maurra Larios, and minister counselor Ronal Deras.
ProDominicana functions as the official export and investment promotion agency of the Dominican Republic, responsible for facilitating foreign direct investment and supporting national commercial initiatives abroad.
The presence of sports executives highlights ongoing preparations for the Central American and Caribbean Games, a quadrennial multi-sport competition scheduled to take place in Santo Domingo in 2026 under the governance of Centro Caribe Sports.
Border inspection and economic discussions
Sunday's summit follows a joint inspection tour conducted by Abinader and Asfura on Saturday along the border region of Dajabon, where both leaders outlined priorities for expanding bilateral trade.
Dajabon is a strategic province in the northwestern Dominican Republic along the border with Haiti, operating as a key commercial node for regional cross-border commerce.
During the Saturday border visit, Asfura stated that Honduras seeks to broaden commercial exchanges and private sector investments with the Dominican Republic.
Abinader noted that Honduran investors currently maintain active operations in the Dominican Republic while Dominican business owners hold investments in Honduras, emphasizing his desire to make these economic ties stronger and mutually beneficial.
The Dominican Republic and Honduras, located in the Caribbean and Central America respectively, share historical diplomatic connections aimed at promoting economic integration across the region.
Official palace agenda and ceremony schedule
The official schedule for Sunday began with an 11:00 a.m. private audience between Abinader and Asfura inside the White Room of the National Palace.
At 11:30 a.m., the official delegations of both nations convened for expanded discussions in the Cabinet Council Room to review bilateral proposals.
President Abinader hosted an official luncheon for President Asfura and his visiting delegation in the presidential palace at 12:30 p.m.
The two heads of state are set to lead a formal ceremony in the Ambassadors Room at 2:00 p.m. to sign the bilateral cooperation instruments.
Although the exact terms of the agreements will be detailed during the signing, previous statements from both leaders indicate that the instruments focus on expanding commercial activity, investment flows, and institutional cooperation.
Following the signing ceremony, Abinader and Asfura will deliver joint statements to gathered news media and official press representatives.
The Honduran president will conclude his official visit at 2:35 p.m. by laying a floral wreath at the Altar de la Patria mausoleum in Santo Domingo.
The Altar de la Patria is a landmark white marble monument located in Independence Park that houses the remains of Juan Pablo Duarte, Matias Ramon Mella, and Francisco del Rosario Sanchez, the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic.
