US government alerts on Chinese industries and loans
President Danilo Medina’s father sent home from hospital
Coming soon: Dominican passport renewal online
DR Constitutional Court to rule on whether Medina can run for President in 2020
Expert says Medina wants closed simultaneous primaries
PRSC chooses Federido Antún Batlle as president
Bookworms RD + rent a book
Police alert the public to zombie-drug
Caught with almost US$1 million in a parking lot
Dominican Republic wins 8 gold in Pan American Weightlifting Championship
US government alerts on Chinese industries and loans
Acting US ambassador in the Dominican Republic, Robert Copley, alerted the Dominican Republic to the poor track record in transparency, environmental and labor and local community development associated with Chinese investments and loans in other parts of the world. Reportedly, Copley met with President Danilo Medina on Thursday, 17 May 2018, for an hour when he expressed the official concern and “disappointment” on the Dominican establishing relations with China last month. The meeting occurred after the Dominican Republic severed 77-year old relations with Taiwan as a condition to sign a formal agreement with China.
The diplomatic ties request was signed in China by Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas and Administrative Minister of the Presidency Jose Ramon Peralta.
Copley said the position of the United States is that it respects the right of the Dominican Republic to establish relations with another country. However, the US government feels the timing was off. He also expressed concern that the country could take on loans that could affect the Dominican environment, labor and communities.
Copley remarked on issues with the track record of Chinese investments in Latin America and Africa.
Responding to the ambassador’s remarks, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lu Kang, said, in a press conference on 18 May 2018, since the US established relations with China in 1979, it is difficult understand why the US government wants to prevent other countries from entering into formal relations with the Chinese government.
He said: “China stands ready to develop friendly cooperative relations with other countries around the world on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the one-China principle. Since last year, China has established diplomatic ties with Panama and the Dominican Republic. It once again demonstrates that the one-China principle has been universally acknowledged and endorsed by the international community. As a principle of righteousness, it corresponds with the will of the people and the irresistible trend of the times.
“We are strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to the above-mentioned remarks by the US side. The US established diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China in 1979 and acknowledged in the three China-US Joint Communiques that there is only one China in the world and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole China. So, it baffles us as to why the US side wants to prevent other countries from recognizing the one-China principle and normalizing relations with the People's Republic of China? We urge the US side to abide by the one-China principle, honor the clauses and its commitments in the three China-US Joint Communiques, refrain from making irresponsible remarks at other countries' decisions to develop ties with China, and stop exploiting cross-Straits relations to interfere in China's internal affairs.”
In the Dominican Republic, the Chinese commercial representative Fu Xinrong said the Copley statement is an intromission into Dominican affairs and irresponsible comment.
Prior to the signing of full-fledged diplomatic relations, Chinese investment in the Dominican Republic was already growing with several new companies beginning operations.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2018/05/18/515467/preocupa-a-los-eeuu-la-relacion-rd-china
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/t1560672.shtml
http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/research/ILJ/upload/Shinn-final.pdf
http://harvardpolitics.com/world/chinas-investment-in-africa-the-new-colonialism/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...sion-declaraciones-de-robert-copley-IJ9902912
https://america.cgtn.com/2018/05/18/chinese-investment-in-dominican-republic-set-to-grow
https://america.cgtn.com/2018/05/11...ic-formal-ties-celebrated-by-caribbean-nation
https://www.barbadosadvocate.com/columns/view-europe-china’s-rapidly-advancing-caribbean-role
President Danilo Medina’s father sent home from hospital
Juan Pablo Medina, father of President Danilo Medina, and former long time president of the Chamber of Deputies, was released from the hospital on Saturday, 19 May 2018. The 99-year old father of the President had been a patient at the Santo Domingo Medical Center since Tuesday. His daughter, Lucia Medina, says her father’s hospital stay was for precautionary monitoring program due to his advanced age. At one point of his stay, the elderly Medina was kept in the intensive care unit for more supervision.
A farmer by profession, Medina has lived most of his life in the rural community of Arroyo Cano, Bohechio in the province of San Juan de la Maguana. President Medina is his eldest son. He has seven more children with the late Amelia Sanchez.
http://hoy.com.do/presidente-medina-dice-daran-de-alta-hoy-a-su-padre/
Coming soon: Dominican passport renewal online
The Passports Agency (DGP) is working on a new service that will enable Dominican citizens to solicit and renew Dominican passports online. The service is part of the Programa República Digital rolled out by the Medina administration.
The new service will allow for starting the procedure and making required payments online using credit cards. Those that meet all requirements will then just need to make a personal appearance to retrieve the document.
A date for the start of the service has not been announced.
https://www.metrord.do/do/noticias/...portes-se-podra-realizar-traves-internet.html
DR Constitutional Court to rule on whether Medina can run for President in 2020
The Constitutional Court of the Dominican Republic will be reviewing on 11 June 2018, a request by PRSC lawyer, Fredermido Ferreras, seeking clarification on the legal merits of the transitory clause in the Constitution that prohibits President Danilo Medina from seeking re-election in 2020.
Interestingly, Ferreras announced he had attempted to retrieve and withdraw the request for the review to the Constitutional Court he had submitted on 15 February 2018. But the Constitutional Court decided to go ahead and issue its opinion on the matter.
Into the 2016 presidential election, President Medina was also banned by the 2010 Constitution from running for reelection, but his supporters maneuvered to change the Constitution allowing for his running for president again.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...eccion-lesionaria-institucionalidad-YG9901076
Expert says Medina wants closed simultaneous primaries
Latin American elections expert Orlando Goncalves has shared the theory on 106.5FM Zol radio talk show that President Danilo Medina and his supporters really would like closed, simultaneous primaries to be held but have been supporting open primaries to look like the good guy when eventually voting for the closed simultaneous primaries.
Another theory is that politicians really couldn’t care less if the Political Parties Bill and the Electoral Regime Bill are passed because they stand to gain most from the present laxly ruled regime. Others are pressuring the Central Electoral Board (JCE) to put in place the rules, saying that a law is not necessary for the JCE to take firm actions to regulate the electoral activity.
Meanwhile, the Political Parties Bill has stagnated in the Chamber of Deputies after open simultaneous primaries legislation passed in the Senate. The ruling PLD party has a majority in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. But, there are differences of opinion regarding open primaries among the two factions of the PLD – one lead by President Danilo Medina and the other lead by former President Leonel Fernandez.
The 2015 Constitution impedes Medina from seeking re-election. Polls indicate that within the party, President Leonel Fernandez and his wife Vice President Margarita Cedeño are the strongest eligible pre-candidates.
The Political Parties and Electoral Regime bill and related legislation have been deliberated in Congress for around 20 years.
http://hoy.com.do/experto-cree-danilo-medina-no-quiere-primarias-abiertas-sino-cerradas/
http://hoy.com.do/acorralado-danilo-desanda-camino-por-imponer-las-primarias-abiertas/
PRSC chooses Federido Antún Batlle as president
The Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) announced the election of Federico Antún Batlle (Quique) as president for 2018-2022. The party celebrated its ordinary national assembly on Sunday, 20 May 2018 at the Coliseo Carlos (Teo) Cruz in Santo Domingo with the participation of delegates from all around the country. Also elected were Ramon Rogelio Genao as secretary general, Jose Balaguer as organization secretay and Eddy Alcantara as acting president. Others on the board are Máximo Castro Silverio as first vice president; Ricardo Espaillat, second vice president and Sergia Elena de Seliman as third vice president.
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/05/...-del-prsc-y-rogelio-genao-secretario-general/
http://www.prsc.com.do/TOMADEPOSESIÓN2018-2022/
Bookworms RD + rent a book
Have a bunch of books in English or Spanish that you would like to donate? Here is the place: Bookwormsrd online library. Elias Serulle loved his books and constantly was lending these out to his friends. From that was born the idea to establish an online platform for book lending. The service includes delivery of the books. The library is also soliciting donations of books to expand their collection. They already have more than 800 titles in the lending collection.
Check it out:
https://www.bookwormsrd.com/
https://www.listindiario.com/ventan...entre-lectores-como-netflix-de-libros-fisicos
Police alert the public to zombie-drug
The incapacitating drug, scopolalamine (burundanga), is making rounds in the Dominican Republic, the National Police has confirmed. The drug is blown into faces or soaked into business cards. The Police are warning to think twice before grabbing a piece of paper from a stranger under any pretext.
A report in Listin Diario relates the experiences of local victims of the drug, but likewise, tourists are said to be also targeted.
The drug is known to create a zombie-like state in its victims, leaving the person with no ability to control their actions, and at risk of emptying their bank accounts, handing over all belongings or opening up their homes. Incidents are reported for nightclubs and bars. The victims are both young women and wealthy-appearing men.
Police spokesman Frank Durán has called people to steer clear of persons soliciting directions to banks and other commercial establishments. He said the drug is inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
http://www.policianacional.gob.do/p...s-usan-burundanga-para-atacar-a-sus-victimas/
Caught with almost US$1 million in a parking lot
Agents of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) announced the arrest of three men in an operation with national district prosecutors. In a press release, the DNCD says the men were two Chinese nationals and a Colombian who were in possession of US$999,800 in cash. They were arrested while inside two parked vehicles near Av. 27 de Febrero after having been suspected of carrying out an illicit transaction.
While in the Dominican Republic it is not illegal to carry cash, the person possessing the money may be required to prove to the authorities that the funds are from a legal source.
http://www.dncd.gob.do/index.php/no...-un-millon-de-dolares-en-el-distrito-nacional
Dominican Republic wins 8 gold in Pan American Weightlifting Championship
Dominican athletes lifted for five gold medals, three silver and one bronze in the Pan American Weightlifting Championship that took place in Santo Domingo last week. The Pan Am games were won by athletes from Colombia that won nine gold, two silver and four bronze medals. By medals, the other participating countries were Mexico, Ecuador, the United States, Chile, Cuba, Peru and Venezuela.
Talents representing a total of 26 countries, including seven medalists in the world weightlifting championships, competed to book their qualification ticket for the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
On the last day of the competition, Dominican Crismery Santana lifted for two gold medals and two records.
President Danilo Medina’s father sent home from hospital
Coming soon: Dominican passport renewal online
DR Constitutional Court to rule on whether Medina can run for President in 2020
Expert says Medina wants closed simultaneous primaries
PRSC chooses Federido Antún Batlle as president
Bookworms RD + rent a book
Police alert the public to zombie-drug
Caught with almost US$1 million in a parking lot
Dominican Republic wins 8 gold in Pan American Weightlifting Championship
US government alerts on Chinese industries and loans
Acting US ambassador in the Dominican Republic, Robert Copley, alerted the Dominican Republic to the poor track record in transparency, environmental and labor and local community development associated with Chinese investments and loans in other parts of the world. Reportedly, Copley met with President Danilo Medina on Thursday, 17 May 2018, for an hour when he expressed the official concern and “disappointment” on the Dominican establishing relations with China last month. The meeting occurred after the Dominican Republic severed 77-year old relations with Taiwan as a condition to sign a formal agreement with China.
The diplomatic ties request was signed in China by Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas and Administrative Minister of the Presidency Jose Ramon Peralta.
Copley said the position of the United States is that it respects the right of the Dominican Republic to establish relations with another country. However, the US government feels the timing was off. He also expressed concern that the country could take on loans that could affect the Dominican environment, labor and communities.
Copley remarked on issues with the track record of Chinese investments in Latin America and Africa.
Responding to the ambassador’s remarks, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lu Kang, said, in a press conference on 18 May 2018, since the US established relations with China in 1979, it is difficult understand why the US government wants to prevent other countries from entering into formal relations with the Chinese government.
He said: “China stands ready to develop friendly cooperative relations with other countries around the world on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the one-China principle. Since last year, China has established diplomatic ties with Panama and the Dominican Republic. It once again demonstrates that the one-China principle has been universally acknowledged and endorsed by the international community. As a principle of righteousness, it corresponds with the will of the people and the irresistible trend of the times.
“We are strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to the above-mentioned remarks by the US side. The US established diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China in 1979 and acknowledged in the three China-US Joint Communiques that there is only one China in the world and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole China. So, it baffles us as to why the US side wants to prevent other countries from recognizing the one-China principle and normalizing relations with the People's Republic of China? We urge the US side to abide by the one-China principle, honor the clauses and its commitments in the three China-US Joint Communiques, refrain from making irresponsible remarks at other countries' decisions to develop ties with China, and stop exploiting cross-Straits relations to interfere in China's internal affairs.”
In the Dominican Republic, the Chinese commercial representative Fu Xinrong said the Copley statement is an intromission into Dominican affairs and irresponsible comment.
Prior to the signing of full-fledged diplomatic relations, Chinese investment in the Dominican Republic was already growing with several new companies beginning operations.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2018/05/18/515467/preocupa-a-los-eeuu-la-relacion-rd-china
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/t1560672.shtml
http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/research/ILJ/upload/Shinn-final.pdf
http://harvardpolitics.com/world/chinas-investment-in-africa-the-new-colonialism/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...sion-declaraciones-de-robert-copley-IJ9902912
https://america.cgtn.com/2018/05/18/chinese-investment-in-dominican-republic-set-to-grow
https://america.cgtn.com/2018/05/11...ic-formal-ties-celebrated-by-caribbean-nation
https://www.barbadosadvocate.com/columns/view-europe-china’s-rapidly-advancing-caribbean-role
President Danilo Medina’s father sent home from hospital
Juan Pablo Medina, father of President Danilo Medina, and former long time president of the Chamber of Deputies, was released from the hospital on Saturday, 19 May 2018. The 99-year old father of the President had been a patient at the Santo Domingo Medical Center since Tuesday. His daughter, Lucia Medina, says her father’s hospital stay was for precautionary monitoring program due to his advanced age. At one point of his stay, the elderly Medina was kept in the intensive care unit for more supervision.
A farmer by profession, Medina has lived most of his life in the rural community of Arroyo Cano, Bohechio in the province of San Juan de la Maguana. President Medina is his eldest son. He has seven more children with the late Amelia Sanchez.
http://hoy.com.do/presidente-medina-dice-daran-de-alta-hoy-a-su-padre/
Coming soon: Dominican passport renewal online
The Passports Agency (DGP) is working on a new service that will enable Dominican citizens to solicit and renew Dominican passports online. The service is part of the Programa República Digital rolled out by the Medina administration.
The new service will allow for starting the procedure and making required payments online using credit cards. Those that meet all requirements will then just need to make a personal appearance to retrieve the document.
A date for the start of the service has not been announced.
https://www.metrord.do/do/noticias/...portes-se-podra-realizar-traves-internet.html
DR Constitutional Court to rule on whether Medina can run for President in 2020
The Constitutional Court of the Dominican Republic will be reviewing on 11 June 2018, a request by PRSC lawyer, Fredermido Ferreras, seeking clarification on the legal merits of the transitory clause in the Constitution that prohibits President Danilo Medina from seeking re-election in 2020.
Interestingly, Ferreras announced he had attempted to retrieve and withdraw the request for the review to the Constitutional Court he had submitted on 15 February 2018. But the Constitutional Court decided to go ahead and issue its opinion on the matter.
Into the 2016 presidential election, President Medina was also banned by the 2010 Constitution from running for reelection, but his supporters maneuvered to change the Constitution allowing for his running for president again.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...eccion-lesionaria-institucionalidad-YG9901076
Expert says Medina wants closed simultaneous primaries
Latin American elections expert Orlando Goncalves has shared the theory on 106.5FM Zol radio talk show that President Danilo Medina and his supporters really would like closed, simultaneous primaries to be held but have been supporting open primaries to look like the good guy when eventually voting for the closed simultaneous primaries.
Another theory is that politicians really couldn’t care less if the Political Parties Bill and the Electoral Regime Bill are passed because they stand to gain most from the present laxly ruled regime. Others are pressuring the Central Electoral Board (JCE) to put in place the rules, saying that a law is not necessary for the JCE to take firm actions to regulate the electoral activity.
Meanwhile, the Political Parties Bill has stagnated in the Chamber of Deputies after open simultaneous primaries legislation passed in the Senate. The ruling PLD party has a majority in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. But, there are differences of opinion regarding open primaries among the two factions of the PLD – one lead by President Danilo Medina and the other lead by former President Leonel Fernandez.
The 2015 Constitution impedes Medina from seeking re-election. Polls indicate that within the party, President Leonel Fernandez and his wife Vice President Margarita Cedeño are the strongest eligible pre-candidates.
The Political Parties and Electoral Regime bill and related legislation have been deliberated in Congress for around 20 years.
http://hoy.com.do/experto-cree-danilo-medina-no-quiere-primarias-abiertas-sino-cerradas/
http://hoy.com.do/acorralado-danilo-desanda-camino-por-imponer-las-primarias-abiertas/
PRSC chooses Federido Antún Batlle as president
The Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) announced the election of Federico Antún Batlle (Quique) as president for 2018-2022. The party celebrated its ordinary national assembly on Sunday, 20 May 2018 at the Coliseo Carlos (Teo) Cruz in Santo Domingo with the participation of delegates from all around the country. Also elected were Ramon Rogelio Genao as secretary general, Jose Balaguer as organization secretay and Eddy Alcantara as acting president. Others on the board are Máximo Castro Silverio as first vice president; Ricardo Espaillat, second vice president and Sergia Elena de Seliman as third vice president.
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/05/...-del-prsc-y-rogelio-genao-secretario-general/
http://www.prsc.com.do/TOMADEPOSESIÓN2018-2022/
Bookworms RD + rent a book
Have a bunch of books in English or Spanish that you would like to donate? Here is the place: Bookwormsrd online library. Elias Serulle loved his books and constantly was lending these out to his friends. From that was born the idea to establish an online platform for book lending. The service includes delivery of the books. The library is also soliciting donations of books to expand their collection. They already have more than 800 titles in the lending collection.
Check it out:
https://www.bookwormsrd.com/
https://www.listindiario.com/ventan...entre-lectores-como-netflix-de-libros-fisicos
Police alert the public to zombie-drug
The incapacitating drug, scopolalamine (burundanga), is making rounds in the Dominican Republic, the National Police has confirmed. The drug is blown into faces or soaked into business cards. The Police are warning to think twice before grabbing a piece of paper from a stranger under any pretext.
A report in Listin Diario relates the experiences of local victims of the drug, but likewise, tourists are said to be also targeted.
The drug is known to create a zombie-like state in its victims, leaving the person with no ability to control their actions, and at risk of emptying their bank accounts, handing over all belongings or opening up their homes. Incidents are reported for nightclubs and bars. The victims are both young women and wealthy-appearing men.
Police spokesman Frank Durán has called people to steer clear of persons soliciting directions to banks and other commercial establishments. He said the drug is inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
http://www.policianacional.gob.do/p...s-usan-burundanga-para-atacar-a-sus-victimas/
Caught with almost US$1 million in a parking lot
Agents of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) announced the arrest of three men in an operation with national district prosecutors. In a press release, the DNCD says the men were two Chinese nationals and a Colombian who were in possession of US$999,800 in cash. They were arrested while inside two parked vehicles near Av. 27 de Febrero after having been suspected of carrying out an illicit transaction.
While in the Dominican Republic it is not illegal to carry cash, the person possessing the money may be required to prove to the authorities that the funds are from a legal source.
http://www.dncd.gob.do/index.php/no...-un-millon-de-dolares-en-el-distrito-nacional
Dominican Republic wins 8 gold in Pan American Weightlifting Championship
Dominican athletes lifted for five gold medals, three silver and one bronze in the Pan American Weightlifting Championship that took place in Santo Domingo last week. The Pan Am games were won by athletes from Colombia that won nine gold, two silver and four bronze medals. By medals, the other participating countries were Mexico, Ecuador, the United States, Chile, Cuba, Peru and Venezuela.
Talents representing a total of 26 countries, including seven medalists in the world weightlifting championships, competed to book their qualification ticket for the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
On the last day of the competition, Dominican Crismery Santana lifted for two gold medals and two records.