Western Hemisphere 15
Jimenes was safe for the following months until, after receiving encouragement from
the Velasquez faction of his cabinet, he broke with Desiderio Arias, the minister of
war. Arias was one of the political appointments to his cabinet made in order to gain
popular support. He also had several supporters in the Dominican Congress. On May
1, 1916, the Dominican Congress brought impeachment proceedings against Jimenes,
but the United States announced it would fully support Jimenes.
Two American warships arrived in Santo Domingo on May 4 and 5 to protect the
American and Haitian legations. Fighting soon followed. Jimenes asked for the United
States to take the capital for him but ultimately resigned on May 7. This wave of
fighting was ended by a May 13 threat to Arias, who now occupied Santo Domingo.
The US representative and admiral on hand both threatened to sack Santo Domingo if
Arias did not retreat. Arias ultimately withdrew that same day. More marines arrived
three days later. The United States established control of the Dominican Republic in
two months and proclaimed a military occupation and government in November. The
occupation of the Dominican Republic by the United States carried through 1924.
Coding changes: Outcome changed from Victory for side A.
MID#1801
Dispute Number: 1801
Date(s): June 3, 1961 to November 19, 1961
Participants: 2 United States of America/42 Dominican Republic
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On June 2, 1961, the United States sent a naval flotilla of fourteen ships
off the coast of the Dominican Republic following fears of a Communist plot after
the assassination of infamous Dictator Rafael Trujillo. While the remaining Trujillo
regime protested the show of force, the new Dominican President Joaquin Balaguer
dissolved the Trujillo regime’s Dominican Party on November 23, and expressed
gratitude for the presence of the US Navy in helping to thwart what could have been
a possible “Cuban fate” for the Dominican Republic.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from May 2, 1961. End Date changed from
November 25, 1961.
MID#1002
Started in April 1963. See the narrative in the 41 Haiti/42 Dominican Republic dyad
dispute list.
2 United States of America/55 Grenada
MID#3058
Dispute Number: 3058
Date(s): October 21, 1983 to December 15, 1983