SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AFP) — The United States (US) said Thursday it was closing its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office in the Dominican Republic over unspecified corruption claims.

“I will not tolerate even the perception of corruption anywhere in the Embassy I lead. To that end, today I am announcing the closure of the DEA office in Santo Domingo until further notice,” Leah Campos, the US ambassador to the Caribbean nation, said on X.

The Dominican Republic has sought to position itself as an ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking.

Last November, the country said it would allow the United States to use an air base and airport as part of an anti-drug operation that saw dozens killed in strikes on boats Washington said, without providing evidence, were trafficking narcotics.

That announcement came during a visit by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to Santo Domingo.

Earlier the same month, Dominican authorities announced they had seized about 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of cocaine from a boat intercepted during a joint operation with US forces.

“Corruption holds no place in the U.S. government or any other government,” wrote Campos, without specifying the allegations she was referring to.

“It is a disgusting and disgraceful violation of public trust to use one’s official capacity for personal gain.”

The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with troubled Haiti.