DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

President Luis Abinader made a surprising announcement on Friday, 16 August 2024 when it was known he was appointing La Vega Mayor Kelvin Cruz as the new head of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation (Miderec). Cruz had just been sworn in in April 2024 for a third term as La Vega mayor.

Moises Mejia, sports writer for the Listin Diario, equated the move to a surprise play in baseball: a tag at third base when the runner is expecting a throw to first. “That’s exactly what President Abinader did when he appointed Cruz, a figure more associated with politics than sports,” wrote Mejia.

It was not that people did not expect Camacho to be removed. There were many candidates for the position, including Camacho who sought to remain at least until the Central American and Caribbean Games take place in Santo Domingo in July 2026. Listin Diario listed several who were candidates for the...