Criss Colon said:
What he means is everyone is on the same page in ideology. Its just a matter of fine tuning the leadership in DR.
Whenever that happens.
- Thread starter sancochojoe
- Start date
What prevents Coups in DR
What he means is everyone is on the same page in ideology. Its just a matter of fine tuning the leadership in DR.
Whenever that happens.
It seems to me, that historically, populations have exhibited a great deal of complacency toward the machinations of their 'leaders' in the political mileau..
Only when the abuses of these 'leaders' become intolerable and untenable do the populations rise up and displace them.
In that light, it is reasonable to assume (you know what they say about that word) that at some future date the political meanderings of the government of the DR will take a straighter path (whatever that means) and some of it's problems (?) will be solved by rebellion. This happened rather frequently in the early days of the country's history and we all know that history tends to repeat itself---mainly through the ignorance of past events.
A collective peoples want to believe in their government's promises to provide for them in the social senses and to foster a financial basis for success. When and only when such is obviously abrogated by that government do the people rise up in real protest and replace it.
We, as expats should not view the events around us in the light of OUR standards, but in the light of the local standards. We should stay away from the sociatal conflicts we create within ourselves about the society we are observing/living in.
In a way I'm the pot calling the kettle black because I have been (and probably will be in the future) guilty of violating my own words/comments.
I try to NOT be a 'holier-than-thou' do-gooder', but there are times when I just can't contain myself.
Texas Bill
Only when the abuses of these 'leaders' become intolerable and untenable do the populations rise up and displace them.
In that light, it is reasonable to assume (you know what they say about that word) that at some future date the political meanderings of the government of the DR will take a straighter path (whatever that means) and some of it's problems (?) will be solved by rebellion. This happened rather frequently in the early days of the country's history and we all know that history tends to repeat itself---mainly through the ignorance of past events.
A collective peoples want to believe in their government's promises to provide for them in the social senses and to foster a financial basis for success. When and only when such is obviously abrogated by that government do the people rise up in real protest and replace it.
We, as expats should not view the events around us in the light of OUR standards, but in the light of the local standards. We should stay away from the sociatal conflicts we create within ourselves about the society we are observing/living in.
In a way I'm the pot calling the kettle black because I have been (and probably will be in the future) guilty of violating my own words/comments.
I try to NOT be a 'holier-than-thou' do-gooder', but there are times when I just can't contain myself.
Texas Bill
Rebellion is a hard thing
The consequences of a rebellion has to be less than the percieved consequences of no rebellion. In the DR from what I understand it is possable for the average person to stay out of the target zone of the politicos by just gettin along. While the poverty is there the total desperation is not. I am basing the lack of desperation in relation to other places I have been.
Like you said play your music and drink you beer. Tomarrow will come. Besides no matter how bad it gets there is always another election. When the people no longer have a glimmer of hope in trusting the elections then maybe a revolution.
John
The consequences of a rebellion has to be less than the percieved consequences of no rebellion. In the DR from what I understand it is possable for the average person to stay out of the target zone of the politicos by just gettin along. While the poverty is there the total desperation is not. I am basing the lack of desperation in relation to other places I have been.
Like you said play your music and drink you beer. Tomarrow will come. Besides no matter how bad it gets there is always another election. When the people no longer have a glimmer of hope in trusting the elections then maybe a revolution.
John
Texas Bill you are very astute. But who amongst us has not thought...
If I could just be king for a couple years, I could...
And you know, we could... because we aren't politicians and our motives would be to prove to ourselves and everyone else that we could make a real change for the good.
In too many countries (including the US) political jobs and life is seen as a career, a way to make your fortune. Maybe they don't understand that their gain is at the expense of the people who entrust them with control. Or maybe they do.
Getting more cynical by the day...
If I could just be king for a couple years, I could...
And you know, we could... because we aren't politicians and our motives would be to prove to ourselves and everyone else that we could make a real change for the good.
In too many countries (including the US) political jobs and life is seen as a career, a way to make your fortune. Maybe they don't understand that their gain is at the expense of the people who entrust them with control. Or maybe they do.
Getting more cynical by the day...
Beginnings
I think it has alot to do with Haiti's beginning...a country that started out on one of the bloodiest revolutions to date isn't going to fair well in politics...the people forever held on to the revolutionist mentality and the moment they sense hopelessness will rise...you mix that with the fact the country never seen good politicians even during the days of colonization and you have 33 coups...I always said the beginnings of a country tells alot about how the country is and it's people...people ask why is America so violent...well it did start off on a very violent beginning full of treachery and different groups of people out to steal land from another, what do you expect today...the country started with a cowboy mentality and it's always going to keep it
I think it has alot to do with Haiti's beginning...a country that started out on one of the bloodiest revolutions to date isn't going to fair well in politics...the people forever held on to the revolutionist mentality and the moment they sense hopelessness will rise...you mix that with the fact the country never seen good politicians even during the days of colonization and you have 33 coups...I always said the beginnings of a country tells alot about how the country is and it's people...people ask why is America so violent...well it did start off on a very violent beginning full of treachery and different groups of people out to steal land from another, what do you expect today...the country started with a cowboy mentality and it's always going to keep it
jj007104 said:
If you look at the history of Haiti. Haiti is the only country in history who defeated slavery by rising up with military action. The blood runs thick in their veins when it comes to revolution at any level.
A comment was mentioned if you were king for a day. I think all of us would be surprised what awaits us if we assume office at any political level. Meetings with the devil would be endless. i.e. Drug king pins, mafia, powerful elites, corporate elites all in the ear of the leader at hand. Aristide maybe made that deal with the devil even when his initial ententions were good. Hipolito is no different. They all speak well, but once they enter that inner circle of elites it is a different world and a dangerous world.
sancochojoe said:
Then prodeded to invade the REST of the Island of Hispaniola, and occupied same until driven out by the occupied population.
Why don't you EVER finish the thought to it's ultimate conclusion??? You always leave the real explanations unfinished, just to prove your points.
The DR is as fraught with rebellions as Haiti. Look at the History of the country. There have been countless thousands killed by 'political strife' in the form of shooting wars amoungst the various factions.
The DR is a very parochial society and always has been with each segment (geographically) fighting in some form or another with another segment.
Maybe the people are smarter than we give them credit for. Maybe they look at their history and realize the futility of trading one corrupt group for another. Did you ever think of that possibility, instead of laying EVERYTHING at someone else's feet???
I submit that you are using this forum, along with others, to perpetuate a socialist philosophy that has absolutely nothing to do with the subject being discussed. You and several others are doing the same thing. Stick to the thread, all of you!
Texas Bill
It could be said...
That the ones responsible for the DR's chaotic political situations before the first American invasion in the 1910s are the Haitians.
First: I'm NOT saying that the Haitians are responsible for the chaotic political situations of the DR before the first U.S. led invasion. I am saying that I would understand why a person(s) would come to that conclusion because...
Historically the Cibao Valley has been prosperous and the Eastern Peninsula (San Pedro de Macoris, Hato Mayor, El Seybo, La Romana, and La Altagracia) has been very poor. The Southwest (Barahona, etc.) and the border regions historically have been underpopulated to such an extent that those regions did not influence the country as a whole. The city of Santo Domingo is stratigically located between the two major halves of the country (Cibao and East). Due to the fact that the Cibao has always been prosperous (with a sizeable middle class and an economy to speak of) the people of the Cibao had always been democratic an supported democratic values.
In the East, things developed differently. In the east there was no true economy to speak off, save the port towns of San Pedro and La Romana. The rest of that region was made up of super large plantations that were more like independent countries within a country. Each plantation owner (like Santana and Buenaventura Baez) had their own "mini" economy within their plantations including their own armies. In other words, each plantation in the east had its own army. The plantation owners in the east gained a sense of iron-fist rule due to their immense power. The good thing about the eastern plantation owners was that they were not interested in creating problems with either Santo Domingo or the Cibao. They simply wanted to rule their plot their way. So, why would I understand if a person blames Haitians for much of the political turmoil before the first U.S. led invasion?
Well, I'll tell you why. You see, at times of peace, the dominicans elected Cibao leaders. In fact, every single president that has been elected in the Dominican Republic by the people have come from the Cibao, especially the City of Santiago de los Caballeros. Due to the wealthy Cibao area and the democratic nature the people of that region had in their persona or way of being, the leaders were often charismatic, quite knowledgeable and tended to manage the country with an efficiency that lead to even further economic prosperity. So, how did eastern plantation owners like Santana and Baez made it to the national palace?
You see, the Cibao leaders were simply that, good leaders that sponsored and were for economic development. The only thing that Cibao leaders lacked was military power. The people in the Cibao with their democratic values and relatively prosperous way of life saw no need for military despite the threats coming from neighboring Haiti. Every time an invasion by the Haitians was launched, the country had been under Cibao leaders control. Due to their lack of military (and the fact that the Cibao was within easy reach from Haiti and Haitians plundered and destroyed the local economy every time they invaded) the democratic Cibao leaders ruling from Santo Domingo called the eastern plantation owners like Santana to come to the capital and protect the sovereignity of the Dominican Republic that was often under threat from Haitian powers. Every military defeat fromt he Dominicans was done by private militaries owned and controlled by plantation owners from the east. But these plantation owners did not simply leave Santo Domingo once the Haitians retreated. Because of the potential threat, these leaders with their corrupt and undemocratic values ruled the country for a few years after an invasion to ensure the protection of the country. Of course, Haiti never invaded when ever the DR was under a plantation owner rule. After a few years, the paranoia of an invasion dissolved, the plantation owners leave Santo Domingo with their private militaries and a good chunk of the countries cofers (to compensate for their saving of the nation- so they said) and the Dominicans elected another forward moving democratic leader. Then in a matter of two years, the Haitians invaded again and the cycle repeated it self. That is why I would not be too harsh to someone that would put some blame for political anarchy in the DR on the Haitians. I would however be against anyone putting full responsibility on the Haitians, but it's true, the Haitians did contributed to the political instabilities that had occured in the Dominican Republic almost from it's inception up to and maybe even including the first American invasion.
That the ones responsible for the DR's chaotic political situations before the first American invasion in the 1910s are the Haitians.
First: I'm NOT saying that the Haitians are responsible for the chaotic political situations of the DR before the first U.S. led invasion. I am saying that I would understand why a person(s) would come to that conclusion because...
Historically the Cibao Valley has been prosperous and the Eastern Peninsula (San Pedro de Macoris, Hato Mayor, El Seybo, La Romana, and La Altagracia) has been very poor. The Southwest (Barahona, etc.) and the border regions historically have been underpopulated to such an extent that those regions did not influence the country as a whole. The city of Santo Domingo is stratigically located between the two major halves of the country (Cibao and East). Due to the fact that the Cibao has always been prosperous (with a sizeable middle class and an economy to speak of) the people of the Cibao had always been democratic an supported democratic values.
In the East, things developed differently. In the east there was no true economy to speak off, save the port towns of San Pedro and La Romana. The rest of that region was made up of super large plantations that were more like independent countries within a country. Each plantation owner (like Santana and Buenaventura Baez) had their own "mini" economy within their plantations including their own armies. In other words, each plantation in the east had its own army. The plantation owners in the east gained a sense of iron-fist rule due to their immense power. The good thing about the eastern plantation owners was that they were not interested in creating problems with either Santo Domingo or the Cibao. They simply wanted to rule their plot their way. So, why would I understand if a person blames Haitians for much of the political turmoil before the first U.S. led invasion?
Well, I'll tell you why. You see, at times of peace, the dominicans elected Cibao leaders. In fact, every single president that has been elected in the Dominican Republic by the people have come from the Cibao, especially the City of Santiago de los Caballeros. Due to the wealthy Cibao area and the democratic nature the people of that region had in their persona or way of being, the leaders were often charismatic, quite knowledgeable and tended to manage the country with an efficiency that lead to even further economic prosperity. So, how did eastern plantation owners like Santana and Baez made it to the national palace?
You see, the Cibao leaders were simply that, good leaders that sponsored and were for economic development. The only thing that Cibao leaders lacked was military power. The people in the Cibao with their democratic values and relatively prosperous way of life saw no need for military despite the threats coming from neighboring Haiti. Every time an invasion by the Haitians was launched, the country had been under Cibao leaders control. Due to their lack of military (and the fact that the Cibao was within easy reach from Haiti and Haitians plundered and destroyed the local economy every time they invaded) the democratic Cibao leaders ruling from Santo Domingo called the eastern plantation owners like Santana to come to the capital and protect the sovereignity of the Dominican Republic that was often under threat from Haitian powers. Every military defeat fromt he Dominicans was done by private militaries owned and controlled by plantation owners from the east. But these plantation owners did not simply leave Santo Domingo once the Haitians retreated. Because of the potential threat, these leaders with their corrupt and undemocratic values ruled the country for a few years after an invasion to ensure the protection of the country. Of course, Haiti never invaded when ever the DR was under a plantation owner rule. After a few years, the paranoia of an invasion dissolved, the plantation owners leave Santo Domingo with their private militaries and a good chunk of the countries cofers (to compensate for their saving of the nation- so they said) and the Dominicans elected another forward moving democratic leader. Then in a matter of two years, the Haitians invaded again and the cycle repeated it self. That is why I would not be too harsh to someone that would put some blame for political anarchy in the DR on the Haitians. I would however be against anyone putting full responsibility on the Haitians, but it's true, the Haitians did contributed to the political instabilities that had occured in the Dominican Republic almost from it's inception up to and maybe even including the first American invasion.
I must add...
that the leaders from the Cibao were always forward moving and patriotic leaders that ruled for the benefit of the people. Then the Americans invaded in the 1910s, crushed the private militaries of the east by buying out or simply repossesing some of the plantations from private dominican ownership to American multinational corporations. Then after the U.S. invasion, a democratic leader was put in place, but he was a puppet for Washington, corrupt up to his eyeballs. He was displaced by General Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina and in 1930, by constitutional decree, the Era of Trujillo was initiated. The time period from 1930-1961 was the most peaceful (in terms of international affairs) and most prosperous timeperiod in the history of the country since colonial times. Of course, civil liberties were non-existent and the full hatred for Haitians was often displayed with mass killings, but it was a prosperous time non the less. The national debt was reduced to zero. The country industrialized it self, modernize it self, much of the infraestructure that is crumbling across the country today were put in place during the Trujillo years. The country for the first time had a military that was strong enough to prevent and even crush any invasions from Haiti or elsewhere (save the U.S.A.). The country was shining on a bright star named Trujillo. Then Trujillo became way to proud of himself, tried to kill the president of Venezuela, killed the Mirabal sisters, kidnapped and killed a dominican professor at Columbia University and most importantly, began to put heavy barries to American owned plantations and american companies operating within the country. Before he knew it, he found himself in a CIA led shooting along the Autopista 30 de Mayo in what was then countryside (today it's a bit close to the 30 de Mayo and Avenida Luperon intersection in Santo Domingo). Political turmoil started (for the first time not related to Haiti). Democratics from the Cibao wanted democracy (so did the U.S.), the eastern wanted more dictatorship, and the Cubans wanted Communism. The Cuban influence caused a U.S. warship to come into view off the coast of Santo Domingo. Before anybody knew it, the city of Santo Domingo saw it self invaded by American troops. The created a "democratic zone" with military barracades along the northern edge of the Colonial Zone, then following the length of Avenida independencia and turning towards the sea at the El Embajador Hotel. Them Mr. Balaguer comes into power with a U.S. helped rigged elections, Balaguer became a sort of puppet for Washington and ruled like a democratic version of Trujillo. Economy boomed in 1970s, busted in 1980s and boomed again in 1990. By mid 1990s, the freest elections were held. Balaguer and Fernandez ruled half of one term respectively. The economy takes off becoming the fastest growing economy on earth, surprising economies the world over. Then the Dominicans believed the bolony from the opposition and in 2000 vote the Idiot no good S.O.B. Hippolito Mejia and the country becomes a hell hole. And here we are today! :nervous:
that the leaders from the Cibao were always forward moving and patriotic leaders that ruled for the benefit of the people. Then the Americans invaded in the 1910s, crushed the private militaries of the east by buying out or simply repossesing some of the plantations from private dominican ownership to American multinational corporations. Then after the U.S. invasion, a democratic leader was put in place, but he was a puppet for Washington, corrupt up to his eyeballs. He was displaced by General Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina and in 1930, by constitutional decree, the Era of Trujillo was initiated. The time period from 1930-1961 was the most peaceful (in terms of international affairs) and most prosperous timeperiod in the history of the country since colonial times. Of course, civil liberties were non-existent and the full hatred for Haitians was often displayed with mass killings, but it was a prosperous time non the less. The national debt was reduced to zero. The country industrialized it self, modernize it self, much of the infraestructure that is crumbling across the country today were put in place during the Trujillo years. The country for the first time had a military that was strong enough to prevent and even crush any invasions from Haiti or elsewhere (save the U.S.A.). The country was shining on a bright star named Trujillo. Then Trujillo became way to proud of himself, tried to kill the president of Venezuela, killed the Mirabal sisters, kidnapped and killed a dominican professor at Columbia University and most importantly, began to put heavy barries to American owned plantations and american companies operating within the country. Before he knew it, he found himself in a CIA led shooting along the Autopista 30 de Mayo in what was then countryside (today it's a bit close to the 30 de Mayo and Avenida Luperon intersection in Santo Domingo). Political turmoil started (for the first time not related to Haiti). Democratics from the Cibao wanted democracy (so did the U.S.), the eastern wanted more dictatorship, and the Cubans wanted Communism. The Cuban influence caused a U.S. warship to come into view off the coast of Santo Domingo. Before anybody knew it, the city of Santo Domingo saw it self invaded by American troops. The created a "democratic zone" with military barracades along the northern edge of the Colonial Zone, then following the length of Avenida independencia and turning towards the sea at the El Embajador Hotel. Them Mr. Balaguer comes into power with a U.S. helped rigged elections, Balaguer became a sort of puppet for Washington and ruled like a democratic version of Trujillo. Economy boomed in 1970s, busted in 1980s and boomed again in 1990. By mid 1990s, the freest elections were held. Balaguer and Fernandez ruled half of one term respectively. The economy takes off becoming the fastest growing economy on earth, surprising economies the world over. Then the Dominicans believed the bolony from the opposition and in 2000 vote the Idiot no good S.O.B. Hippolito Mejia and the country becomes a hell hole. And here we are today! :nervous:
That's a pretty impressive spiel, Nal0whs. A speeded-up run through the history of the DR. No need to read Frank Moya Pons now, folks...
Texas Bill, where are people going off topic on this thread? Some posters have mentioned theories of revolution (including yourself) in an objective attempt to rationalise the different political behaviour of Haitians and Dominicans, but who here is saying that a revolution is what needs to happen?
If some people here have a socialist philosophy, as you put it, isn't that just part of the variety that makes up this forum? Or would you prefer that it were made up of a group of people whose politics are right-of-centre agreeing with each other on every point? You might find these opinions misguided or reprehensible, but there is no rule that liberals, socialists or whatever you want to call them are not allowed to participate in DR1.
Diversity of opinion is essential for debate. Personally I enjoy being challenged, sometimes out of my complacency. Other times, even though I disagree, it is just plain fascinating to have the insight on how other people see the world.
Why don't you try looking at it that way? What I do object to is rudeness and double standards which blight some exchanges on the boards, as we have seen in the last few days.
Anyway - I hope you will take this constructively. I had noticed a trend in some of your recent posts where you appear to be losing patience against what you perceive as anti-US standpoints. Being opposed to a particular government policy does not mean one is against the US per se.
We are all here because we share a connection with, and a love for the Dominican Republic. We all bring different experiences, knowledge and perspectives to our debates. Long may it remain so.
Chiri
Texas Bill, where are people going off topic on this thread? Some posters have mentioned theories of revolution (including yourself) in an objective attempt to rationalise the different political behaviour of Haitians and Dominicans, but who here is saying that a revolution is what needs to happen?
If some people here have a socialist philosophy, as you put it, isn't that just part of the variety that makes up this forum? Or would you prefer that it were made up of a group of people whose politics are right-of-centre agreeing with each other on every point? You might find these opinions misguided or reprehensible, but there is no rule that liberals, socialists or whatever you want to call them are not allowed to participate in DR1.
Diversity of opinion is essential for debate. Personally I enjoy being challenged, sometimes out of my complacency. Other times, even though I disagree, it is just plain fascinating to have the insight on how other people see the world.
Why don't you try looking at it that way? What I do object to is rudeness and double standards which blight some exchanges on the boards, as we have seen in the last few days.
Anyway - I hope you will take this constructively. I had noticed a trend in some of your recent posts where you appear to be losing patience against what you perceive as anti-US standpoints. Being opposed to a particular government policy does not mean one is against the US per se.
We are all here because we share a connection with, and a love for the Dominican Republic. We all bring different experiences, knowledge and perspectives to our debates. Long may it remain so.
Chiri
Texas Bill said:
Maybe if I was writing a history book I would be more detail. My point was when groups of people rebel, there are sometimes historical motivators. ONe being there liberation from slavery by military means, i.e. Haiti. That is something to be commended. Beyond that, it leaves room for debate. But because of the historical event it can an could have played a motivating role in future revolts in that region..
In 1791, a successful slave revolt was initiated against the French. The Haitian slaves ousted Napoleon, and by 1804, the island becomes the first black independent nation and First Black Republic in the Western Hemisphere, with General Dessalines declaring himself emperor. With power comes abuse and the abuses of Dessalines led to his assassination. He was followed by Henri Christophe, an illiterate ex-slave who ruled in the north and Alexandre Petion, a mulatto who ruled in the south. When Christophe died the north and south united. In 1844, the island split into two countries, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
1821 I believe, was when Haiti conquered, at the time, was called Santo Domingo. So that conquest was not part of the liberation efforts of the slaves against Napoleaon during 1791. Before 1822 between 1807-1820 Haiti was under their own Civil War that split Haiti into a North and South, so DR at the time was the last thing on Haiti's mind.
Texas Bill, I think you are trying to marry to two events as one and it was not so. But the two events did occur. Either way both countries have a beginning of revolution as many countries
I never thought that providing historical fact was concidered spewing a political agenda. i.e. socialism, liberalism, or conservatism.
I like facts if at all possible.
If you want a political agenda, then I'll throw some skewed statistical data, but facts are facts.
oh well.
"With power comes abuse"
"Now you know the rest of the story"
Good day
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sancochojoe said:
The DR is the only country were a revolution took place to decapitate the Gov from power, yet at exactly 12:00 pm to about 2:30 pm everybody when home to eat "La Comida", soon after some black Cafe, the revolution continued, yet after several major "battles" people all around the nation agreed that this couldn't continue since it was getting even brothers to fight in opposing bands, after all the victims were "velados", the country has never forgotten that a military contigent of a foreign power invaded and shot our own people without our blessing (even thus they were killing each other), everyone took off the chip from their shoulder and rally to get this foreign boots out of Dominican soil, and this helps to avoid a coup more than anything else.
That and the knowledge that you could miss the 12:00 pm Comida.
history prevents coups
Why change the status quo for would-be revolutionaries if any such group is likely to make things even worse? Modern Dominicans are invested in their faulty, but operational, electoral process. Futhermore the armed forces have become less inclined to directly taking over government duties themselves (having to deal with the international pressure that any unelected government would get can be too much of a headache). As ironic as it may be, Dominicans now do not favor a coup precisely because they've had way too many of these in their history and have learned that each time they went from bad to worse. Elections, and the pretense of democracy, still need a few more rounds before being written off as futile.
-Tordok
Why change the status quo for would-be revolutionaries if any such group is likely to make things even worse? Modern Dominicans are invested in their faulty, but operational, electoral process. Futhermore the armed forces have become less inclined to directly taking over government duties themselves (having to deal with the international pressure that any unelected government would get can be too much of a headache). As ironic as it may be, Dominicans now do not favor a coup precisely because they've had way too many of these in their history and have learned that each time they went from bad to worse. Elections, and the pretense of democracy, still need a few more rounds before being written off as futile.
-Tordok
PICHARDO said:
A common enemy often brings foes together. Maintaining power brings certain priviledges. It just seems that the line has been crossed recently. Roberto Cassa talks of the 20 families who control the country. Nothing really changes. There will be no revolution. Just more Dominican Yorks.
Speech of resignation Col. Francisco Caamano Deno
My Fellow Dominicans:
Because the People gave me the power, to the people I come to return what belongs to it. No power is legitimate if is not offered by the people, whose sovereign will is public source of every mandate. May 3, 1965, the National Congress honored me choosing me Constitutional President of the Dominican Republic. Only thus I could accept so high charge, because always I have believed that the right to govern cannot emanate of nobody more than not being from people themselves.
Quite legitimate it was that right, forged by our large national majorities in the purest elections of all our history, and placed in my hands at a time when the Dominican People were beaten, to blood and fire, to regain its democratic institutions. These institutions, arisen of the electoral consultation of December 20, 1962, they were devoured for the infamy and the ambition of a minority that has always despised the popular will.
The Dominicans were beaten to blood and fire, because that minority snatched its liberties September 25, 1963. That minority is the same one that has always stolen, imprisoned, deported and murdered our people. And that minority, represented by the Triunvirate that presided Donald Reid Cabral, came to believe that this country belonged it to them and that their inhabitants were its slaves.
All those vices and errors signified greater pains and misery for the people. The life was unbearable. Neither a single hope fitted in the soul of the Dominicans while they maintained governing, the thieves of the power. So that to reborn that hope was necessary to return the freely chosen government, that is to say, to the democracy of the Constitution of 1963. All it indicated that the minority ruler, that thought and acted like owner of the nation, would remain in the power still against the most alive popular claims, oriented toward the rescue of the democratic state.
The armed rebellion against the illegitimacy of its command was converted then in an imperious social need. Fruit of that need, and of the decision of the Dominicans to be free, without care for the price to pay, the glorious movement explodes the 24 of April.
That Movement, inspired in the noblest democratic spirit, was not ONE MORE COUP. Reason had the professor Juan Bosch when he said, from his obliged exile in Puerto Rico, that the Dominicans were freeing a social revolution. Thus it was because the democratic sectors of the country, after a great deal of suffering and greater frustrations, had taken deep conscience of their historical role and, united with the soldiers that respected the oath to defend the majesty of the laws, they were launched to the street in search of their lost liberty .
Heroically, with more faith than weapons, and with enormous volumes of dignity, the Dominican people opened wide the doors of History to build its future. Deep, very deep they were the roots of that fight. Since the Independence, since the Restoration, the town walked dying and conquering after its right to be free. April 24 was a gigantic step toward the construction of that right and toward the democracy that consecrates it fully.
The enemies of the people, those that above the interests of the Country place their own interests in a vain pledge by being maintained in the power, they caused to run as rivers, the generous blood. But on our dead brothers, we raise ourselves always with greater force. The Revolution advanced triumphant. America entire looked at with admiration towards this land, expecting anxious our triumph, because in it saw a victory of the democracy on the minorities opressed by that whip present, as plague in all the American Continent.
Unfortunately, April 28th, four days after initiated the Revolution, when the liberty reborned as a winner, when all a people was overturned fervently toward the encounter with the democracy, the Government of the United States of America, violating the sovereignty of our Independent State, and mocking the fundamental principles that maintain the international contact, invaded and occupied militarily our soil.
What right could they invoke the American rulers to knock down thus the liberty of a sovereign people? None! They were done guilty of a very serious crime, that attempted against our nation. Against America and against the remainder of the world. The principle of Not Intervention, fundamental base of the relations among the civilized countries, was so brutally disavowed that the world still listens itself on the vast of the planet the echo of the hardest condemnation against the invaders.
In this continent of brothers, to side the clamor of the Governments of Chile, Uruguay, Mexico, Peru and Ecuador, that channeled its international action doing honor to the continental feeling of fraternity of its respective countries, listens itself thus same, in defense of the Non Intervention and of the sovereignty of our country, the vibrant and supportive protest of millions of indignant Latin-Americans.
"The humiliation that the government of the United States of America caused to the Dominican Republic, militarily invaded, signifies also a painful humiliation for Latin America. What norms, what principles can serve to the American nations to be worth their vocation and their right to the independence, when the American rulers decide, with vain excuses and supported in the force of their guns, to impose them their political destiny? Where do they go to demand that they recognize the right of a country to be independent and owner of its own life? What agencies, what institutions will be capable to defend those rights and to encourage tthese countries to exercise them, without fear of the intrusion of the ones that have declare themselves referees of the foreign decision?
For misfortune of the Dominican Republic and for misfortune of America, the Organization of American States, instead of assuming the defense of our sovereignty, instead of sanctioning severely the military intervention to do in this way honor to the principles that says to support, only was not placed in backs to its own Constituent Letter , but also pushed, still more, the knife that today is nailed in the heart of our country.
Four days after the military American intervention, the Organization of American States decided that it had done "All the possible things to try the re-establishment of the peace and the normality in the Dominican Republic". In the text of the Resolution that express this, it cited nothing itself about the violation of our sovereignty. Nothing! Neither a single word does reference of the monstrous crime of April 28, 1965, that for a long time will touch the fragile foundation of the Pan-American legal order. Just the opposite. The Organization of American States was impelled then, ignoring and twisting the principles, in justifying and to validate the military American intervention. And thus it believed to cause creating the Pan-american Force. The Resolution that consecrates that ill-fated measure, registered like Document Rec. 2 of the Tenth American Ministers Consultation Meeting, reveals very clear the attitude of the regional agency regarding that. In fact, in it the following thing reads itself: ?That the integration of a Pan-American Force will signify, ipso facto, the transformation of the present forces in Dominican territory in another force that will not be of a State but of an inter-states agency...?
Transformation! I have there the word that betrays the contact of the Organization of American States with the invaders. They transformed the ?Marines? into the Pan-American Force!. That was the institutionalization of the political crime as norm of the international relations of our continent.
The American intervention came, therefore, to stop the triumph of the Dominican democracy and to prop up the minority that denies and disputes its rights to our people. After the called National Government of Reconstruction, work of the officials of the foreign intervention, was thrown to the contempt of the people, the corruption was fortified, and the crime extended to all the country
In spite of the momentous frustration that in those tragic days suffered the Revolution, the Constitutional Government decided to defend its rights. Naturally, before the violence and the force of the American power, represented by more than 40 000 soldiers, no longer was possible the armed triumph of the democratic Dominican movement. We had to negotiate with the invaders in order to conserve part of the treasure of democracy that we had begun to create.
In the month of negotiations we defended always the principles. If we abandoned some of the conquests by the ones that the Dominican people was launched to the fight, themselves did not owe to that the negotiators of the Organization of American States brought proposals of a greater democratic content that we pursued in our intial objective. We yielded only before the reality that the American intervention imposed onto us. The runner that the foreign troops established, arbitrary and unwarranted, dividing the city in two, did not have another reason than that of avoiding that our fight was extended from this glorious city, toward all the remainder of the country.
The democratic anxieties had vibrated the entire Republic. The cause that with weapons in the hands defended the city of Santo Domingo was the national cause. This city four times centennial went on the vanguard, and from it we launched ourselves, triumphant against the native oppresors. The victory of the democratic weapons was glimpsed already, and when we were about to achieved it fully, The United States of America interposed, invading us to safeguard the worst interests and the most greedy ambitions.
It was then when we had to yield in some of ours objectives, because we could not conquer with the weapons. But in spite of all the force and of all the violence of the American military power , we did not yield for fear or by fear to to be conquered. Witness is the world of the battles that we fought, of the courage and the valor of the people in the land of honor and in the battlefield.
Opportune it is that stops here to yield homage to the heroes that delivered their lives fighting for the democracy and the national sovereignty. That Unknown Combatant, that rests in this Plaza of the Constitution, is the symbol of the sacrifice and of the love of the Dominicans by its liberty. As him, thousands died. Of that seed of heroes will grow energetic the future of the country. Because heroes are the ones that gave their lifes trying to avoid that the international intervertor was present to stop our victory. Because heroes are the ones that, with stones in the hands, stopped the tanks of steel in the Bridge Duarte. Heroes are the ones that defended to the last breath the North Zone of the city; heroes are the ones that received, fearless, the air attacks in the National Palace; heroes the ones that during the days 15 and 16 of June received bravely the foreign shrapnel; heroes the ones of August 29; heroes also the ones that have died in all our fronts, in fields and cities defending the national integrity.
Never such time in the life of the Dominicans had fought himself with so much tenacity against a so superior enemy in number and in weapons. We fight, yes, with bravery of legend, because we went clearing with the reason the road of the History.
We could not conquer, but we could neither be conquered. The truth promoted by our cause was the greater force and the major breath to resist. And we resisted! That it is our triumph because without the tenacious resistance that opposed, today we could not boast of the objectives achieved.
We yielded, is certain, but they, the invaders that came to impede our revolution, to destroy our cause they had to yield also before the revolutionary spirit of our town.
There they are, speaking for themselves, the conquests reached and that are evident, enlarged by the blood of the fallen, in the Institutional Minutes and in the Dominican Minutes of Reconciliation. They have recognized us multiple social and economic rights. We have achieved the free obsession of elections to brief time limit. We have conquered the public liberties, the respect to the human rights; the return of the exiled politicians, the right of every Dominican to live in its country without fear to to be deported. But, above all, we have achieved a conquest inapreciable, of fertile future projections: ?The democratic conscience! Conscience against the coup, against the administrative corruption, against the nepotismo, against the exploitation and against the interventionism. We have conquered historic conscience of our own destiny. In short, conscience of the town in its force, that if April 24 served to defeat to the military and civil oligarchies, today, nourished by that marvelous experience and this amazing fight will permit it to forge, in the peace or in the war, its liberty and its independence. Awoke the people because it awoke its conscience!
Those are the achievements of this revolution. Not only ours, but also of America. The principles that here have been defended are the same that today touch to all its nations. When the towns situated al south of the Rio Bravo expressed their solidarity with our fight, together with the fraternal stimulus went also, deeply united, their more priceless and intimate aspirations. From Mexico to Argentina the democracy is the dream of millions of men that want to become reality. Creative dream of peace, of peace and liberty with decore. But that beautiful dream is disturbed, to being become nightmare, by the greed and the alien exploitation of minorities and the noble ideal of the human contact.
If some merit fits me for to have participated with distinction in this democratic revolution, thanks to the honorable presidential mandate that the Honorable National Congress offered me, is not other than to have understood that painful reality of our people, and to have fought ardently to try transforming it into a loaded future of hopes.
I believe firmly that the Dominican people will finish achieving its happiness, and April 24 will be always a stimulating symbol toward the final attainment of her. It is our obligation, as defenders of the democracy, to fertilize the seeds that generously began in that immortal date. But certifying it with growing enthusiasm, with all the spirit, without hesitancys, without rest. The best way to do it it's in the union of us all, in the caution of all of us, ready for tomorrow, as it we have been today, to run all the risks in defense of the Dominican democracy and of the national honor.
Before the Dominican people, before its worthy representatives that here embody the Honorable National Congress, I renounce like Constitutional President of the Republic. God willing and the people achieve it, that this be the last time in our history that a legitimate Government have to abandon the power under the national or foreign pressure of forces. I have faith in which thus will be.
Finally, I invite all the people here met to do the following oath:
In name of the ideals of the Trinitarios and restaurateurs that forged the Dominican Republic.
They inspired in the generous sacrifice of our military and civil brothers fallen in the constitutional fight.
Interpreting the feelings of the Dominican people.
We swear to fight for the retreat of the foreign troops that are found in the territory of our country.
We swear to fight for the force of the democratic liberties and the human rights and not to permit any plot to re-establish the tyranny.
We swear to fight for the union of all the patriotic sectors to do to our fully democratic, fully sovereign, fully free nation.
Francisco Caama?o De?o
Constitutional President of the Dominican Republic
My Fellow Dominicans:
Because the People gave me the power, to the people I come to return what belongs to it. No power is legitimate if is not offered by the people, whose sovereign will is public source of every mandate. May 3, 1965, the National Congress honored me choosing me Constitutional President of the Dominican Republic. Only thus I could accept so high charge, because always I have believed that the right to govern cannot emanate of nobody more than not being from people themselves.
Quite legitimate it was that right, forged by our large national majorities in the purest elections of all our history, and placed in my hands at a time when the Dominican People were beaten, to blood and fire, to regain its democratic institutions. These institutions, arisen of the electoral consultation of December 20, 1962, they were devoured for the infamy and the ambition of a minority that has always despised the popular will.
The Dominicans were beaten to blood and fire, because that minority snatched its liberties September 25, 1963. That minority is the same one that has always stolen, imprisoned, deported and murdered our people. And that minority, represented by the Triunvirate that presided Donald Reid Cabral, came to believe that this country belonged it to them and that their inhabitants were its slaves.
All those vices and errors signified greater pains and misery for the people. The life was unbearable. Neither a single hope fitted in the soul of the Dominicans while they maintained governing, the thieves of the power. So that to reborn that hope was necessary to return the freely chosen government, that is to say, to the democracy of the Constitution of 1963. All it indicated that the minority ruler, that thought and acted like owner of the nation, would remain in the power still against the most alive popular claims, oriented toward the rescue of the democratic state.
The armed rebellion against the illegitimacy of its command was converted then in an imperious social need. Fruit of that need, and of the decision of the Dominicans to be free, without care for the price to pay, the glorious movement explodes the 24 of April.
That Movement, inspired in the noblest democratic spirit, was not ONE MORE COUP. Reason had the professor Juan Bosch when he said, from his obliged exile in Puerto Rico, that the Dominicans were freeing a social revolution. Thus it was because the democratic sectors of the country, after a great deal of suffering and greater frustrations, had taken deep conscience of their historical role and, united with the soldiers that respected the oath to defend the majesty of the laws, they were launched to the street in search of their lost liberty .
Heroically, with more faith than weapons, and with enormous volumes of dignity, the Dominican people opened wide the doors of History to build its future. Deep, very deep they were the roots of that fight. Since the Independence, since the Restoration, the town walked dying and conquering after its right to be free. April 24 was a gigantic step toward the construction of that right and toward the democracy that consecrates it fully.
The enemies of the people, those that above the interests of the Country place their own interests in a vain pledge by being maintained in the power, they caused to run as rivers, the generous blood. But on our dead brothers, we raise ourselves always with greater force. The Revolution advanced triumphant. America entire looked at with admiration towards this land, expecting anxious our triumph, because in it saw a victory of the democracy on the minorities opressed by that whip present, as plague in all the American Continent.
Unfortunately, April 28th, four days after initiated the Revolution, when the liberty reborned as a winner, when all a people was overturned fervently toward the encounter with the democracy, the Government of the United States of America, violating the sovereignty of our Independent State, and mocking the fundamental principles that maintain the international contact, invaded and occupied militarily our soil.
What right could they invoke the American rulers to knock down thus the liberty of a sovereign people? None! They were done guilty of a very serious crime, that attempted against our nation. Against America and against the remainder of the world. The principle of Not Intervention, fundamental base of the relations among the civilized countries, was so brutally disavowed that the world still listens itself on the vast of the planet the echo of the hardest condemnation against the invaders.
In this continent of brothers, to side the clamor of the Governments of Chile, Uruguay, Mexico, Peru and Ecuador, that channeled its international action doing honor to the continental feeling of fraternity of its respective countries, listens itself thus same, in defense of the Non Intervention and of the sovereignty of our country, the vibrant and supportive protest of millions of indignant Latin-Americans.
"The humiliation that the government of the United States of America caused to the Dominican Republic, militarily invaded, signifies also a painful humiliation for Latin America. What norms, what principles can serve to the American nations to be worth their vocation and their right to the independence, when the American rulers decide, with vain excuses and supported in the force of their guns, to impose them their political destiny? Where do they go to demand that they recognize the right of a country to be independent and owner of its own life? What agencies, what institutions will be capable to defend those rights and to encourage tthese countries to exercise them, without fear of the intrusion of the ones that have declare themselves referees of the foreign decision?
For misfortune of the Dominican Republic and for misfortune of America, the Organization of American States, instead of assuming the defense of our sovereignty, instead of sanctioning severely the military intervention to do in this way honor to the principles that says to support, only was not placed in backs to its own Constituent Letter , but also pushed, still more, the knife that today is nailed in the heart of our country.
Four days after the military American intervention, the Organization of American States decided that it had done "All the possible things to try the re-establishment of the peace and the normality in the Dominican Republic". In the text of the Resolution that express this, it cited nothing itself about the violation of our sovereignty. Nothing! Neither a single word does reference of the monstrous crime of April 28, 1965, that for a long time will touch the fragile foundation of the Pan-American legal order. Just the opposite. The Organization of American States was impelled then, ignoring and twisting the principles, in justifying and to validate the military American intervention. And thus it believed to cause creating the Pan-american Force. The Resolution that consecrates that ill-fated measure, registered like Document Rec. 2 of the Tenth American Ministers Consultation Meeting, reveals very clear the attitude of the regional agency regarding that. In fact, in it the following thing reads itself: ?That the integration of a Pan-American Force will signify, ipso facto, the transformation of the present forces in Dominican territory in another force that will not be of a State but of an inter-states agency...?
Transformation! I have there the word that betrays the contact of the Organization of American States with the invaders. They transformed the ?Marines? into the Pan-American Force!. That was the institutionalization of the political crime as norm of the international relations of our continent.
The American intervention came, therefore, to stop the triumph of the Dominican democracy and to prop up the minority that denies and disputes its rights to our people. After the called National Government of Reconstruction, work of the officials of the foreign intervention, was thrown to the contempt of the people, the corruption was fortified, and the crime extended to all the country
In spite of the momentous frustration that in those tragic days suffered the Revolution, the Constitutional Government decided to defend its rights. Naturally, before the violence and the force of the American power, represented by more than 40 000 soldiers, no longer was possible the armed triumph of the democratic Dominican movement. We had to negotiate with the invaders in order to conserve part of the treasure of democracy that we had begun to create.
In the month of negotiations we defended always the principles. If we abandoned some of the conquests by the ones that the Dominican people was launched to the fight, themselves did not owe to that the negotiators of the Organization of American States brought proposals of a greater democratic content that we pursued in our intial objective. We yielded only before the reality that the American intervention imposed onto us. The runner that the foreign troops established, arbitrary and unwarranted, dividing the city in two, did not have another reason than that of avoiding that our fight was extended from this glorious city, toward all the remainder of the country.
The democratic anxieties had vibrated the entire Republic. The cause that with weapons in the hands defended the city of Santo Domingo was the national cause. This city four times centennial went on the vanguard, and from it we launched ourselves, triumphant against the native oppresors. The victory of the democratic weapons was glimpsed already, and when we were about to achieved it fully, The United States of America interposed, invading us to safeguard the worst interests and the most greedy ambitions.
It was then when we had to yield in some of ours objectives, because we could not conquer with the weapons. But in spite of all the force and of all the violence of the American military power , we did not yield for fear or by fear to to be conquered. Witness is the world of the battles that we fought, of the courage and the valor of the people in the land of honor and in the battlefield.
Opportune it is that stops here to yield homage to the heroes that delivered their lives fighting for the democracy and the national sovereignty. That Unknown Combatant, that rests in this Plaza of the Constitution, is the symbol of the sacrifice and of the love of the Dominicans by its liberty. As him, thousands died. Of that seed of heroes will grow energetic the future of the country. Because heroes are the ones that gave their lifes trying to avoid that the international intervertor was present to stop our victory. Because heroes are the ones that, with stones in the hands, stopped the tanks of steel in the Bridge Duarte. Heroes are the ones that defended to the last breath the North Zone of the city; heroes are the ones that received, fearless, the air attacks in the National Palace; heroes the ones that during the days 15 and 16 of June received bravely the foreign shrapnel; heroes the ones of August 29; heroes also the ones that have died in all our fronts, in fields and cities defending the national integrity.
Never such time in the life of the Dominicans had fought himself with so much tenacity against a so superior enemy in number and in weapons. We fight, yes, with bravery of legend, because we went clearing with the reason the road of the History.
We could not conquer, but we could neither be conquered. The truth promoted by our cause was the greater force and the major breath to resist. And we resisted! That it is our triumph because without the tenacious resistance that opposed, today we could not boast of the objectives achieved.
We yielded, is certain, but they, the invaders that came to impede our revolution, to destroy our cause they had to yield also before the revolutionary spirit of our town.
There they are, speaking for themselves, the conquests reached and that are evident, enlarged by the blood of the fallen, in the Institutional Minutes and in the Dominican Minutes of Reconciliation. They have recognized us multiple social and economic rights. We have achieved the free obsession of elections to brief time limit. We have conquered the public liberties, the respect to the human rights; the return of the exiled politicians, the right of every Dominican to live in its country without fear to to be deported. But, above all, we have achieved a conquest inapreciable, of fertile future projections: ?The democratic conscience! Conscience against the coup, against the administrative corruption, against the nepotismo, against the exploitation and against the interventionism. We have conquered historic conscience of our own destiny. In short, conscience of the town in its force, that if April 24 served to defeat to the military and civil oligarchies, today, nourished by that marvelous experience and this amazing fight will permit it to forge, in the peace or in the war, its liberty and its independence. Awoke the people because it awoke its conscience!
Those are the achievements of this revolution. Not only ours, but also of America. The principles that here have been defended are the same that today touch to all its nations. When the towns situated al south of the Rio Bravo expressed their solidarity with our fight, together with the fraternal stimulus went also, deeply united, their more priceless and intimate aspirations. From Mexico to Argentina the democracy is the dream of millions of men that want to become reality. Creative dream of peace, of peace and liberty with decore. But that beautiful dream is disturbed, to being become nightmare, by the greed and the alien exploitation of minorities and the noble ideal of the human contact.
If some merit fits me for to have participated with distinction in this democratic revolution, thanks to the honorable presidential mandate that the Honorable National Congress offered me, is not other than to have understood that painful reality of our people, and to have fought ardently to try transforming it into a loaded future of hopes.
I believe firmly that the Dominican people will finish achieving its happiness, and April 24 will be always a stimulating symbol toward the final attainment of her. It is our obligation, as defenders of the democracy, to fertilize the seeds that generously began in that immortal date. But certifying it with growing enthusiasm, with all the spirit, without hesitancys, without rest. The best way to do it it's in the union of us all, in the caution of all of us, ready for tomorrow, as it we have been today, to run all the risks in defense of the Dominican democracy and of the national honor.
Before the Dominican people, before its worthy representatives that here embody the Honorable National Congress, I renounce like Constitutional President of the Republic. God willing and the people achieve it, that this be the last time in our history that a legitimate Government have to abandon the power under the national or foreign pressure of forces. I have faith in which thus will be.
Finally, I invite all the people here met to do the following oath:
In name of the ideals of the Trinitarios and restaurateurs that forged the Dominican Republic.
They inspired in the generous sacrifice of our military and civil brothers fallen in the constitutional fight.
Interpreting the feelings of the Dominican people.
We swear to fight for the retreat of the foreign troops that are found in the territory of our country.
We swear to fight for the force of the democratic liberties and the human rights and not to permit any plot to re-establish the tyranny.
We swear to fight for the union of all the patriotic sectors to do to our fully democratic, fully sovereign, fully free nation.
Francisco Caama?o De?o
Constitutional President of the Dominican Republic
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