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ver the course of the shared history of Italy and the Dominican Republic, there have been times
when diplomatic relations were of particular importance. In the first part of this chapter, Profes-
sor Mu-Kien Sang Ben discusses various pivotal figures, such as Juan Bautista (Giovanni Battista)
Cambiaso—a citizen of an Italian state and consul of the Republic of Genoa, founder of the Do-
minican Navy, first admiral of the republic, and hero of Dominican Independence—who is commemorated
in the National Pantheon in Santo Domingo, where his remains rest, and by an annual celebration every June
21, a tradition that I personally initiated in 2018, together with the General Commander of the Navy, Vice
Admiral Miguel Peña Acosta.
Other important events in diplomatic and consular relations pertain to Italian honorary consuls, such as
Francisco Rainieri and Amadeo Barletta, both also mentioned in Chapters 18 and 17 of this book respectively.
1
The Italian presence in the Dominican Republic dates back centuries. Relations between the two nations
are now accorded great importance and prestige, and have had far-reaching impacts in shaping the country’s
national identity. Italy is part of the DNA of the Dominican Republic, in part due to having promoted and
supported the creation of many of the latter country’s apolitical institutional infrastructures that have bol-
stered the long-term operations of the country, including
the Dominican Navy
2
(Chapter 11)—fundamental for an is-
land nation—as well as the press
3
(Chapter 41), agriculture
and related technological development
4
(Chapter 38), and
the Catholic Church and religious educational structures
5
(Chapters 8 and 9). Learning more about the importance
that many historical figures of Italian origin have had in the
Dominican Republic, and what Italy and the Dominican
Republic have built and achieved together, kindled my desire to highlight the shared past of the two countries
and the significant interrelationships, as a way to lay the foundations for even deeper cooperation in the fu-
ture, especially in light of the well-established and successful community of Italian origin currently present in
the country.
Within the framework of a renewed desire by Italy and the Dominican Republic to reframe their diplo-
matic relations and create new opportunities in cultural, economic, and institutional terms, I have had the
privilege of serving Italy as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in the Dominican Republic. Under
the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations in Rome, I have promoted various
activities and initiatives that, based on the knowledge of the shared history, can help to “build bridges between
Diplomatic Relations between
Italy and the Dominican Republic
PART TWO
. Diplomatic Relations in the Present:
2017-2020
By Andrea Canepari
Ambassador of Italy to the Dominican Republic
Logo of the
cultural year for the
celebrations of 120
years of diplomatic
relations between Italy
and the Dominican
Republic.
© Embassy of Italy in
Santo Domingo