标签： Dominican Republic

San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic – In a scathing critique of the ruling Partido Revolucionario Moderno (PRM) government, former President Leonel Fernández, leader of the opposition Fuerza del Pueblo (FP) party, accused the administration of failing to maintain public safety and address critical issues in essential services. Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony for new FP members at the Nigua Gremio Club on Sunday, Fernández asserted that the country has become a breeding ground for criminal activity, leaving citizens living in constant fear of robbery or violence. He attributed the surge in crime to inadequate planning and the absence of coherent public policies, claiming that the government has reneged on its promise to ensure national security.

Fernández also condemned the government’s inability to provide basic public services, particularly the widespread lack of access to clean drinking water in numerous communities. ‘We are lacking drinking water,’ he emphasized, calling on the administration to address long-standing demands for the construction of new aqueducts.

Highlighting the growing momentum behind FP, Fernández noted that the influx of new party members reflects widespread disillusionment with the current government. ‘People are realizing that this government hasn’t met the country’s challenges,’ he declared. Following the event, Fernández attended the Expo Constitución 2025 Multisector Fair, organized by the San Cristóbal Chamber of Commerce and Production, further engaging with local stakeholders.

In the wake of the passing of esteemed politician Vicente Sánchez Baret, President Luis Abinader declared this Saturday a day of official mourning. However, a notable deviation from protocol has sparked controversy: the flags at the Centro de los Héroes fountain were not lowered to half-mast, as mandated by Decree 608-25. This decree explicitly requires the National Flag to be flown at half-mast on military and public buildings across the nation during the mourning period. The oversight occurred as the coffin of the late senator was being transported from the National Congress, where President Abinader and congressional members paid their respects. The flags surrounding the fountain, a symbolic site in front of the National Congress, remained fully raised, directly contravening the executive order. Vicente Sánchez Baret, who served as senator for the Sánchez Ramírez province during three separate terms (1986-1990, 1994-1998, and 1998-2002), was widely revered for his unwavering commitment to honesty, transparency, democracy, and social justice. His legacy is particularly cherished in his home province, where he championed national development and equitable progress. Survived by his wife, Yadira Henríquez, former director of the Presidency’s Social Plan, and their three children—Flory, Yessika, and Vicente Sánchez Henríquez, the current representative for District 1 of the National District—Sánchez Baret’s contributions to public service remain a beacon of integrity and dedication.

Santo Domingo, DR—President Luis Abinader addressed the growing controversy surrounding the exclusion of Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba from the upcoming Summit of the Americas, set to take place in Punta Cana during the first week of December. During a radio interview on Friday, Abinader downplayed the situation, attributing the tensions to political and ideological divisions. He emphasized that such exclusions are not unprecedented and expressed hope for the summit’s success despite the absences of leaders from Mexico and Colombia, who withdrew in protest. Abinader reiterated the Dominican Republic’s commitment to dialogue, democracy, and human rights as the core principles of the summit. The decision to exclude the three nations, announced in September, mirrors the stance taken at the 2022 summit in Los Angeles, where they were labeled as dictatorial regimes. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Colombian President Gustavo Petro publicly criticized the exclusion, with Petro stating, ‘Dialogue does not begin with exclusions.’ Abinader responded to Sheinbaum’s remarks with a cryptic ‘No comments,’ while reaffirming the summit’s focus on fostering unity and cooperation among the majority of attending nations.

President Luis Abinader is set to embark on a highly active day this Saturday, balancing solemn duties with celebratory events across Santo Domingo and Bonao. The day begins with the President attending the funeral of Vicente Sánchez Baret, a prominent political leader, at the National Congress in the National District at 10:30 am. Following this, at 12:00 pm, President Abinader will engage with young students from both public and private schools at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo’s Bonao Campus. At 1:30 pm, he will officiate the inauguration of the Padre José Salvador Fernández High School in Sabana del Puerto, Bonao. The day concludes with the President leading the inauguration of the Villa Mella Sports Center at 3:30 pm in Santo Domingo North, located near Central Park on Salomé Ureña Street.