DR1 breaks for Constitution Day long weekend
Leading businessmen that accompany President Medina to China
Castillo Seman alerts DR could be used in China-US tug of war
President Danilo Medina to visit China International Import Expo
2 November is deadline for applying for Supreme Court and Constitutional Court vacancies
Repair of Azua-Barahona highway advances
Women’s hotline: 212
GoldQuest to seek “more mining friendly jurisdictions”
US visas to the Dominican Republic on the decline
Light up Las Americas Expressway
Judge to give verdict in Emely Peguero case on Wednesday, 7 November
DR1 breaks for Constitution Day long weekend
DR1 Daily News breaks for the Constitutional Day long weekend. Constitution Day falls on 6 November 2018, but this year will be celebrated on Monday, 5 November. The next update of the regular DR1 Daily News digest will resume on Tuesday, 6 November with a compilation of headline stories for the previous Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Breaking news, nevertheless, can be followed 24/7 in the Forums. See the DR1 Forum at http://www.dr1.com
Leading businessmen that accompany President Medina to China
The Dominican delegation to meetings with high-ranking officers of the People’s Republic of China includes several leading Dominican businessmen. The official delegation left on a private jet to New York on Wednesday, 31 October 2018, and from there took a commercial flight to Beijing. Businessmen part of the official mission are: Pedro Brache, Juan Vicini, Jose González, Frank Rainieri, Abraham Hazoury, Carlos Martí, Hector Rizek, José Clase, Fernando Capellan, Micalo Bermudez, Fernando Villanueva and Felix Garcia, representing ventures in commerce, tourism, manufacturing, energy, and agribusiness.
The official Dominican government delegation includes Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado, Administrative Minister of the Presidency Jose Ramon Peralta, Hacienda Minister Donald Guerrero, Industry & Commerce Minister Nelson Toca Simó, Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García, Agriculture Minister Osmar Benítez, Interior and Police Minister José Ramón Fadul, Monte Platasenator Charlie Mariotti. Also the vice president of the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), Ruben Jimenez Bichara; the general manager of the governmental Banco de Reservas, Enrique Ramírez; the director of the National Export Free Zones Council, Luisa Fernández; the director of the Center for Export & Investment (CEI-RD), Marius de León; the director of the National Competitiveness Council (CNC); presidential assistant Carlos Pared Pérez; government spokesman Roberto Rodríguez Marchena; and Dominican ambassador in China, Briunny Garabito.
The Presidency reports that the official visit begins with a stop at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The ten-story obelisk was erected as a national monument of the People's Republic of China to the martyrs of revolutionary struggle during the 19th and 20th centuries. It is located to the north of Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
On his agenda is a first meeting with Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang after which he will meet at 5pm with President Xi Jinping for the signing of several cooperation and trade agreements at the Popular National Assembly.
Medina is also scheduled to visit the Shanghai convention center where the first China International Import Expo will be inaugurated.
President Medina and the official delegation are scheduled to return to Santo Domingo on next Wednesday, 7 November 2018.
The largest opposition party, PRM, requested that the government disclose the agreements that it reaches on behalf of the Dominican government. Recently, the government denied having reached an agreement with a Chinese government entity regarding a major logistics port at Manzanillo on the northeastern coast. When evidence of the signing of the agreement was presented, the government admitted to the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...idente-dm-a-su-llegada-hoy-a-china-CH11160727
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias/danilo-medina-en-la-republica-popular-china
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...pular-china-para-identificar-oportunidades-de
Castillo Seman alerts DR could be used in China-US tug of war
Politician Vinicio Castillo Seman alerted the Dominican government to be aware of not taking sides in the geopolitical and economic confrontation between the United States and China. Castillo is a politician with the Fuerza Nacional Progresista (FNP), an opposition party.
"It is not a secret that there is a serious confrontation, not only economic-commercial between China and the United States, but geopolitical and regional, which has a very sensitive ideological character behind it. China is the world power that is offering a lifeline of sorts to the Maduro dictatorship in Venezuela, following the visit of Chinese delegation to that country last month. Inviting the President of the Dominican Republic together with the Presidents of Cuba and El Salvador to China, in this context could be interpreted as a position taken in that confrontation, which does not suit the country," said the former legislator.
"The Dominican Republic as a sovereign and independent country must exercise foreign policy best suited to its interests, without getting involved or taking sides with regional ideological blocs that are being backed by China, whose governments are neither democratic nor respect the human rights of their people," added Castillo Semán.
He warned: "The Dominican Republic is experiencing a very delicate moment today with high external indebtedness, with a fragile macroeconomic stability and with major political crises that may develop before the elections of 2020.”
He added: "Given a possible reelection effort of President Medina that could be linked to foreign assistance or financing or that actions taken by our government could be influenced from abroad is something that should be carefully guarded against,” he observed.
http://hoy.com.do/vinicio-castillo-rd-no-debe-tomar-partido-en-confrontacion-china-eu/
President Danilo Medina to visit China International Import Expo
A Dominican public private delegation will be participating in the CIIE 2018, the China International Import Expo in Shanghai that opens on 5 November. President Danilo Medina is expected to visit the Shanghai Expo after his official agenda is completed in Beijing, China. His agenda in Beijing includes the opening of the Dominican Embassy in Beijing and a meeting with President Xi Jinping of China. The China International Import Expo seeks to show the rest of the world that China is not only a country that exports, but also one that imports.
The first CIIE 2018 is designed to be a world-class event on par with the world’s leading exhibitions, combines country exhibitions, company exhibitions and forums to promote free trade and an open global economy. The event, to be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre from 5-10 November 2018 was first announced in 2017 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who called it “an important policy statement and action demonstrating China’s embrace of greater openness”.
The organizers say the China International Import Expo will host 2,800 companies from all the G20 member states, as well as 50 countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.
The National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai is the world’s largest single-block exhibition complex with a total floor area of nearly 1.5 million sq m.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wo...anghai-hosts-china-international-import-expo/
https://www.irishtimes.com/sponsore...na-hosts-world-s-largest-trade-expo-1.3671845
https://www.irishtimes.com/sponsore...ational-import-expo-the-big-picture-1.3672821
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-...ort-expo-woo-world-pakistani-fashion-show-and
2 November is deadline for applying for Supreme Court and Constitutional Court vacancies
With the deadline for presentation of candidates to the Supreme Court of Justice and Constitutional Court vacancies coming up on Friday, 2 November 2018, reportedly 50 candidates have been registered. The selection includes several acting judges. Several constitutional expert lawyers, including Nassef Perdomo, Eduardo Jorge Prats, Cristóbal Rodríguez and José Alejandro Ayuso are applying for the vacancies at the Constitutional Court. The list includes many candidates who had applied for openings in the past. From the list of applicants, the National Council of Magistracy will make a pre-selection and those pre-selected candidates will be interviewed for the vacancies.
See the list of applicants at:
http://hoy.com.do/42-personas-postulan-para-jueces-del-tc/
https://elnacional.com.do/se-eleva-a-50-listado-aspirantes-jueces-tc/
Repair of Azua-Barahona highway advances
The Ministry of Public Works reports that works are advanced on the Azua-Barahona road improvements. The road construction is from Carretera Cruce 15 de Azua to Barahona province.
Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo said the work is advancing at a good pace with 46.5 km paved of a total 58.6 km of the road. He said road signage has been completed for 24.5 km. He said that along 41 km of 2-inch thick asphalt has been laid out. In addition, a 15.60 km strip of road received a 4-inch layer of asphalt.
Castillo said the works being carried out on the more southern Barahona-Enriquillo stretch are part of the Corredor Vial del Sur road project underway by the Ministry. He said the project also encompasses installation of natural drainage systems to ensure the duration of the road and avoid flooding, expanding of the side lanes, and signage. He explained the road was extended at some curves and straight sections to enhance safety and visibility for drivers.
The Corredor Vial del Sur encompasses the construction and expansion of the road that goes from Baní to Pedernales of which reconstruction has already covered the Baní-Azua section and includes the Azua-Barahona section next.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...esta-en-su-fase-final-carretera-azua-barahona
Women’s hotline: 212
The Ministry of Women announced Claro, Altice, and Viva mobile phone users can call 212 to reach the Ministry of Women assistance to women in emergency situations. The new hotline number seeks to increase the number of persons assisted by the country’s emergency entities and thus strengthen the prevention and protection of victims of emotional, sexual and physical harm.
Women Minister Janet Camilo says the new hotline seeks to reduce the murder of women in the country. The shorter number replaces a longer number that had been in use since June 2012.
https://acento.com.do/2018/actualid...esenta-212-codigo-abreviado-linea-emergencia/
GoldQuest to seek “more mining friendly jurisdictions”
The Canadian mining company, GoldQuest Mining Corporation issued a press release on 29 October 2018, in which it makes known that it has not yet received the Presidential endorsement of the exploitation license for its Romero Project. The company needs the endorsement to commence the formal environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) process where environmental and social issues would be addressed.
In a press release, the company announced:
“After delays of over three years, and with no clarity from the DR’s government on any timeframe for receipt of the license, the company is taking steps towards a cash conservation policy and is proactively seeking opportunities in other countries to deploy its cash and expertise to maximize benefit to shareholders.
“GoldQuest looks forward to deploying its capital and expertise to other jurisdictions,” commented Bill Fisher, GoldQuest’s CEO.
“With regret, the company has determined to reduce its staff in the DR to a minimum and is suspending community programs. From a maximum of 180 employees, our subsidiary GoldQuest Dominicana has been forced to reduce to a skeleton staff to protect our assets and represent our interests,” announced the company.
In the press release, the company explains that under DR law, any environmental and social studies can only be formally executed by the company once it has received formal Terms of Reference from the Ministry of Environment (“MoE”). The MoE cannot write these Terms of Reference until the long awaited License has been granted, so any environmental or social concerns regarding the project cannot be addressed until then.
The underground gold exploitation proposed by the company had met with much opposition on grounds that it would affect important water sources that are used for farming and human consumption in the area. The company had committed to use rainwater, but the area is affected by constant drought.
GoldQuest announced that it would continue to monitor the political situation in the Dominican Republic and that any progress towards Presidential endorsement of the license, as it seeks other opportunities in mining friendly jurisdictions.
GoldQuest discovered the main Romero gold/copper deposit in May 2012 and in October 2015 applied for the License. After over two years delay, on January 23, 2018, the Project was finally endorsed by Minister Isa Conde, the Minister of Energy and Mines and sent to the Office of the President for ratification. In August 2018, the Project was again endorsed, unanimously, by the public/private National Competitiveness Council (“CNC”). The CNC includes the Minister of Presidency, Jose Ramon Peralta, Minister of Finance, Donald Guerrero, Minister of Energy and Mines, Antonio Isa Conde, Minister of Environment, Angel Estevez, President of CNC, Rafael Paz, the President of the Industrial Association of the Dominican Republic, Campos de Moya and President of National Council of Private Enterprise, Pedro Brache. The Project was, once again, presented to the Office of the President by the CNC for ratification on October 11, 2018. The Company has no information as to whether the Office of the President has decided to accept or reject the application.
https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/10/30/1638780/0/en/GOLDQUEST-Corporate-Update.html
https://www.goldquestcorp.com/index.php/country-info/dominican-republic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EonRIj66Cfc
https://globenewswire.com/news-rele...its-Activities-in-the-Dominican-Republic.html
https://globenewswire.com/news-rele...can-Republic-Has-No-Effect-on-Activities.html
US visas to the Dominican Republic on the decline
It is becoming every day harder to get a visa to travel to the United States. Recent statistics on tourism and business visas show a significant decline in the number of these types of visas being issued. In March 2017 some 19,606 B1B2 visas were issued for Dominican citizens. By June 2017, the monthly number had dropped to 18,371. And as of September 2017, the monthly visa number was 11,561. A year later, in September 2018 only 7,527 visas were issued.
A feature in Diario Libre explains that to get a visa the applicant needs to be able to show strong economic ties to the Dominican Republic that will ensure the person will not remain in the United States.
It concludes that for those interested in a visa, make sure they demonstrate a strong economic anchor in the country. The article also urges that those who already have visas to make sure they renew them in the year-long window that is allowed.
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...ientes-y-las-preguntas-en-el-ds160-HC11130968
Light up Las Americas Expressway
Transporters serving the east of the country, taxi drivers, bus drivers, business people and dwellers in the Boca Chica area are urging EdeEste power distributor to put the lighting back on the stretch of the highway in the environs of Las Americas International Airport and the city of Santo Domingo. The lack of lighting has contributed to an increase in fatal traffic accidents, assaults and theft of electricity and telecom cabling.
“From kilometer 29 until reaching the Juan Carlos Bridge, there is not a single power line with a light bulb, a situation that is being exploited by criminals to commit their misdeeds,” said community residents Bienvenido Perez, Claudio Ventura, Rigoerto Payano and Sandra Agramonte told El Nacional.
"For us, it is unusual that given the Las Americas Expressway is the main route for tourists going to and from the east of the country, that this stretch of highway does not have an adequate lighting system that allows the safe movement of vehicles and protection of its occupants," the claimants said. Residents say that if a lighting solution is not sought for the Las Américas highway, municipalities of Andrés, Boca Chica, La Caleta and La Ureña, are proposed in the coming days, the affected communities may choose to block the road to call the problem to the attention of President Danilo Medina.
Community leaders say on the Las Americas Expressway so far this 2018 there have been 63 traffic accidents, where 29 persons have died and many others have been injured. They understand many of these accidents could be avoided with better lighting.
https://elnacional.com.do/piden-iluminar-las-americas/
Judge to give verdict in Emely Peguero case on Wednesday, 7 November
Judges Maria de los Angeles Concepcion, Victor Inoa and Arelys Camacho of the Second Collegiate Court of San Francisco de Macorís will be announcing their verdict on the murder case of pregnant 16-year old Emely Peguero on 7 November 2018. The lawyers presented their conclusions in a case that was streamed live by several media. The accused are 21-year old Marlon Martínez and his mother, Marlin Martínez, as accomplice.
The lawyers of Marlon Martínez have asked for a five-year jail sentence for abortion and involuntary homicide and RD$3 million in compensation for the parents for their client when presenting their final statements. As an alternative, they say he should receive at most 10 years in jail for voluntary homicide. The lawyers understand that the state prosecution did not present evidence to incriminate mother Marlin Martinez, who at the time was deputy director of the National Passport Office.
The body was recovered on 31 August 2017, inside a suitcase in the La Guama community in the municipality of Cayetano Germosén, in Moca, Espaillat province, several days after the young girl had been reported as missing. Marlin and Marlon Martinez had called a press conference days before to call for her return, despite their knowledge of the decease of the 16-year old. Peguero was pregnant with the child of Marlon. The autopsy confirmed the girl had died due to a blow on her head.
The Prosecution has asked 30-year jail sentence for Marlon Martínez and 20 years in prison for his mother Marlin Martínez. These are the maximum sentences allowed for murder and accessory to murder.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...os-familias-marcadas-por-un-crimen-KH11161139
https://noticiassin.com/fijan-para-el-proximo-miercoles-lectura-del-fallo-caso-emely-peguero/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...o-de-fondo-en-caso-emely-concluye-bajo-llanto
https://acento.com.do/2018/actualid...tinez-atacan-fundamentos-pruebas-la-fiscalia/
Leading businessmen that accompany President Medina to China
Castillo Seman alerts DR could be used in China-US tug of war
President Danilo Medina to visit China International Import Expo
2 November is deadline for applying for Supreme Court and Constitutional Court vacancies
Repair of Azua-Barahona highway advances
Women’s hotline: 212
GoldQuest to seek “more mining friendly jurisdictions”
US visas to the Dominican Republic on the decline
Light up Las Americas Expressway
Judge to give verdict in Emely Peguero case on Wednesday, 7 November
DR1 breaks for Constitution Day long weekend
DR1 Daily News breaks for the Constitutional Day long weekend. Constitution Day falls on 6 November 2018, but this year will be celebrated on Monday, 5 November. The next update of the regular DR1 Daily News digest will resume on Tuesday, 6 November with a compilation of headline stories for the previous Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Breaking news, nevertheless, can be followed 24/7 in the Forums. See the DR1 Forum at http://www.dr1.com
Leading businessmen that accompany President Medina to China
The Dominican delegation to meetings with high-ranking officers of the People’s Republic of China includes several leading Dominican businessmen. The official delegation left on a private jet to New York on Wednesday, 31 October 2018, and from there took a commercial flight to Beijing. Businessmen part of the official mission are: Pedro Brache, Juan Vicini, Jose González, Frank Rainieri, Abraham Hazoury, Carlos Martí, Hector Rizek, José Clase, Fernando Capellan, Micalo Bermudez, Fernando Villanueva and Felix Garcia, representing ventures in commerce, tourism, manufacturing, energy, and agribusiness.
The official Dominican government delegation includes Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado, Administrative Minister of the Presidency Jose Ramon Peralta, Hacienda Minister Donald Guerrero, Industry & Commerce Minister Nelson Toca Simó, Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García, Agriculture Minister Osmar Benítez, Interior and Police Minister José Ramón Fadul, Monte Platasenator Charlie Mariotti. Also the vice president of the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), Ruben Jimenez Bichara; the general manager of the governmental Banco de Reservas, Enrique Ramírez; the director of the National Export Free Zones Council, Luisa Fernández; the director of the Center for Export & Investment (CEI-RD), Marius de León; the director of the National Competitiveness Council (CNC); presidential assistant Carlos Pared Pérez; government spokesman Roberto Rodríguez Marchena; and Dominican ambassador in China, Briunny Garabito.
The Presidency reports that the official visit begins with a stop at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The ten-story obelisk was erected as a national monument of the People's Republic of China to the martyrs of revolutionary struggle during the 19th and 20th centuries. It is located to the north of Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
On his agenda is a first meeting with Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang after which he will meet at 5pm with President Xi Jinping for the signing of several cooperation and trade agreements at the Popular National Assembly.
Medina is also scheduled to visit the Shanghai convention center where the first China International Import Expo will be inaugurated.
President Medina and the official delegation are scheduled to return to Santo Domingo on next Wednesday, 7 November 2018.
The largest opposition party, PRM, requested that the government disclose the agreements that it reaches on behalf of the Dominican government. Recently, the government denied having reached an agreement with a Chinese government entity regarding a major logistics port at Manzanillo on the northeastern coast. When evidence of the signing of the agreement was presented, the government admitted to the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...idente-dm-a-su-llegada-hoy-a-china-CH11160727
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias/danilo-medina-en-la-republica-popular-china
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...pular-china-para-identificar-oportunidades-de
Castillo Seman alerts DR could be used in China-US tug of war
Politician Vinicio Castillo Seman alerted the Dominican government to be aware of not taking sides in the geopolitical and economic confrontation between the United States and China. Castillo is a politician with the Fuerza Nacional Progresista (FNP), an opposition party.
"It is not a secret that there is a serious confrontation, not only economic-commercial between China and the United States, but geopolitical and regional, which has a very sensitive ideological character behind it. China is the world power that is offering a lifeline of sorts to the Maduro dictatorship in Venezuela, following the visit of Chinese delegation to that country last month. Inviting the President of the Dominican Republic together with the Presidents of Cuba and El Salvador to China, in this context could be interpreted as a position taken in that confrontation, which does not suit the country," said the former legislator.
"The Dominican Republic as a sovereign and independent country must exercise foreign policy best suited to its interests, without getting involved or taking sides with regional ideological blocs that are being backed by China, whose governments are neither democratic nor respect the human rights of their people," added Castillo Semán.
He warned: "The Dominican Republic is experiencing a very delicate moment today with high external indebtedness, with a fragile macroeconomic stability and with major political crises that may develop before the elections of 2020.”
He added: "Given a possible reelection effort of President Medina that could be linked to foreign assistance or financing or that actions taken by our government could be influenced from abroad is something that should be carefully guarded against,” he observed.
http://hoy.com.do/vinicio-castillo-rd-no-debe-tomar-partido-en-confrontacion-china-eu/
President Danilo Medina to visit China International Import Expo
A Dominican public private delegation will be participating in the CIIE 2018, the China International Import Expo in Shanghai that opens on 5 November. President Danilo Medina is expected to visit the Shanghai Expo after his official agenda is completed in Beijing, China. His agenda in Beijing includes the opening of the Dominican Embassy in Beijing and a meeting with President Xi Jinping of China. The China International Import Expo seeks to show the rest of the world that China is not only a country that exports, but also one that imports.
The first CIIE 2018 is designed to be a world-class event on par with the world’s leading exhibitions, combines country exhibitions, company exhibitions and forums to promote free trade and an open global economy. The event, to be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre from 5-10 November 2018 was first announced in 2017 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who called it “an important policy statement and action demonstrating China’s embrace of greater openness”.
The organizers say the China International Import Expo will host 2,800 companies from all the G20 member states, as well as 50 countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.
The National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai is the world’s largest single-block exhibition complex with a total floor area of nearly 1.5 million sq m.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wo...anghai-hosts-china-international-import-expo/
https://www.irishtimes.com/sponsore...na-hosts-world-s-largest-trade-expo-1.3671845
https://www.irishtimes.com/sponsore...ational-import-expo-the-big-picture-1.3672821
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-...ort-expo-woo-world-pakistani-fashion-show-and
2 November is deadline for applying for Supreme Court and Constitutional Court vacancies
With the deadline for presentation of candidates to the Supreme Court of Justice and Constitutional Court vacancies coming up on Friday, 2 November 2018, reportedly 50 candidates have been registered. The selection includes several acting judges. Several constitutional expert lawyers, including Nassef Perdomo, Eduardo Jorge Prats, Cristóbal Rodríguez and José Alejandro Ayuso are applying for the vacancies at the Constitutional Court. The list includes many candidates who had applied for openings in the past. From the list of applicants, the National Council of Magistracy will make a pre-selection and those pre-selected candidates will be interviewed for the vacancies.
See the list of applicants at:
http://hoy.com.do/42-personas-postulan-para-jueces-del-tc/
https://elnacional.com.do/se-eleva-a-50-listado-aspirantes-jueces-tc/
Repair of Azua-Barahona highway advances
The Ministry of Public Works reports that works are advanced on the Azua-Barahona road improvements. The road construction is from Carretera Cruce 15 de Azua to Barahona province.
Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo said the work is advancing at a good pace with 46.5 km paved of a total 58.6 km of the road. He said road signage has been completed for 24.5 km. He said that along 41 km of 2-inch thick asphalt has been laid out. In addition, a 15.60 km strip of road received a 4-inch layer of asphalt.
Castillo said the works being carried out on the more southern Barahona-Enriquillo stretch are part of the Corredor Vial del Sur road project underway by the Ministry. He said the project also encompasses installation of natural drainage systems to ensure the duration of the road and avoid flooding, expanding of the side lanes, and signage. He explained the road was extended at some curves and straight sections to enhance safety and visibility for drivers.
The Corredor Vial del Sur encompasses the construction and expansion of the road that goes from Baní to Pedernales of which reconstruction has already covered the Baní-Azua section and includes the Azua-Barahona section next.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...esta-en-su-fase-final-carretera-azua-barahona
Women’s hotline: 212
The Ministry of Women announced Claro, Altice, and Viva mobile phone users can call 212 to reach the Ministry of Women assistance to women in emergency situations. The new hotline number seeks to increase the number of persons assisted by the country’s emergency entities and thus strengthen the prevention and protection of victims of emotional, sexual and physical harm.
Women Minister Janet Camilo says the new hotline seeks to reduce the murder of women in the country. The shorter number replaces a longer number that had been in use since June 2012.
https://acento.com.do/2018/actualid...esenta-212-codigo-abreviado-linea-emergencia/
GoldQuest to seek “more mining friendly jurisdictions”
The Canadian mining company, GoldQuest Mining Corporation issued a press release on 29 October 2018, in which it makes known that it has not yet received the Presidential endorsement of the exploitation license for its Romero Project. The company needs the endorsement to commence the formal environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) process where environmental and social issues would be addressed.
In a press release, the company announced:
“After delays of over three years, and with no clarity from the DR’s government on any timeframe for receipt of the license, the company is taking steps towards a cash conservation policy and is proactively seeking opportunities in other countries to deploy its cash and expertise to maximize benefit to shareholders.
“GoldQuest looks forward to deploying its capital and expertise to other jurisdictions,” commented Bill Fisher, GoldQuest’s CEO.
“With regret, the company has determined to reduce its staff in the DR to a minimum and is suspending community programs. From a maximum of 180 employees, our subsidiary GoldQuest Dominicana has been forced to reduce to a skeleton staff to protect our assets and represent our interests,” announced the company.
In the press release, the company explains that under DR law, any environmental and social studies can only be formally executed by the company once it has received formal Terms of Reference from the Ministry of Environment (“MoE”). The MoE cannot write these Terms of Reference until the long awaited License has been granted, so any environmental or social concerns regarding the project cannot be addressed until then.
The underground gold exploitation proposed by the company had met with much opposition on grounds that it would affect important water sources that are used for farming and human consumption in the area. The company had committed to use rainwater, but the area is affected by constant drought.
GoldQuest announced that it would continue to monitor the political situation in the Dominican Republic and that any progress towards Presidential endorsement of the license, as it seeks other opportunities in mining friendly jurisdictions.
GoldQuest discovered the main Romero gold/copper deposit in May 2012 and in October 2015 applied for the License. After over two years delay, on January 23, 2018, the Project was finally endorsed by Minister Isa Conde, the Minister of Energy and Mines and sent to the Office of the President for ratification. In August 2018, the Project was again endorsed, unanimously, by the public/private National Competitiveness Council (“CNC”). The CNC includes the Minister of Presidency, Jose Ramon Peralta, Minister of Finance, Donald Guerrero, Minister of Energy and Mines, Antonio Isa Conde, Minister of Environment, Angel Estevez, President of CNC, Rafael Paz, the President of the Industrial Association of the Dominican Republic, Campos de Moya and President of National Council of Private Enterprise, Pedro Brache. The Project was, once again, presented to the Office of the President by the CNC for ratification on October 11, 2018. The Company has no information as to whether the Office of the President has decided to accept or reject the application.
https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/10/30/1638780/0/en/GOLDQUEST-Corporate-Update.html
https://www.goldquestcorp.com/index.php/country-info/dominican-republic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EonRIj66Cfc
https://globenewswire.com/news-rele...its-Activities-in-the-Dominican-Republic.html
https://globenewswire.com/news-rele...can-Republic-Has-No-Effect-on-Activities.html
US visas to the Dominican Republic on the decline
It is becoming every day harder to get a visa to travel to the United States. Recent statistics on tourism and business visas show a significant decline in the number of these types of visas being issued. In March 2017 some 19,606 B1B2 visas were issued for Dominican citizens. By June 2017, the monthly number had dropped to 18,371. And as of September 2017, the monthly visa number was 11,561. A year later, in September 2018 only 7,527 visas were issued.
A feature in Diario Libre explains that to get a visa the applicant needs to be able to show strong economic ties to the Dominican Republic that will ensure the person will not remain in the United States.
It concludes that for those interested in a visa, make sure they demonstrate a strong economic anchor in the country. The article also urges that those who already have visas to make sure they renew them in the year-long window that is allowed.
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...ientes-y-las-preguntas-en-el-ds160-HC11130968
Light up Las Americas Expressway
Transporters serving the east of the country, taxi drivers, bus drivers, business people and dwellers in the Boca Chica area are urging EdeEste power distributor to put the lighting back on the stretch of the highway in the environs of Las Americas International Airport and the city of Santo Domingo. The lack of lighting has contributed to an increase in fatal traffic accidents, assaults and theft of electricity and telecom cabling.
“From kilometer 29 until reaching the Juan Carlos Bridge, there is not a single power line with a light bulb, a situation that is being exploited by criminals to commit their misdeeds,” said community residents Bienvenido Perez, Claudio Ventura, Rigoerto Payano and Sandra Agramonte told El Nacional.
"For us, it is unusual that given the Las Americas Expressway is the main route for tourists going to and from the east of the country, that this stretch of highway does not have an adequate lighting system that allows the safe movement of vehicles and protection of its occupants," the claimants said. Residents say that if a lighting solution is not sought for the Las Américas highway, municipalities of Andrés, Boca Chica, La Caleta and La Ureña, are proposed in the coming days, the affected communities may choose to block the road to call the problem to the attention of President Danilo Medina.
Community leaders say on the Las Americas Expressway so far this 2018 there have been 63 traffic accidents, where 29 persons have died and many others have been injured. They understand many of these accidents could be avoided with better lighting.
https://elnacional.com.do/piden-iluminar-las-americas/
Judge to give verdict in Emely Peguero case on Wednesday, 7 November
Judges Maria de los Angeles Concepcion, Victor Inoa and Arelys Camacho of the Second Collegiate Court of San Francisco de Macorís will be announcing their verdict on the murder case of pregnant 16-year old Emely Peguero on 7 November 2018. The lawyers presented their conclusions in a case that was streamed live by several media. The accused are 21-year old Marlon Martínez and his mother, Marlin Martínez, as accomplice.
The lawyers of Marlon Martínez have asked for a five-year jail sentence for abortion and involuntary homicide and RD$3 million in compensation for the parents for their client when presenting their final statements. As an alternative, they say he should receive at most 10 years in jail for voluntary homicide. The lawyers understand that the state prosecution did not present evidence to incriminate mother Marlin Martinez, who at the time was deputy director of the National Passport Office.
The body was recovered on 31 August 2017, inside a suitcase in the La Guama community in the municipality of Cayetano Germosén, in Moca, Espaillat province, several days after the young girl had been reported as missing. Marlin and Marlon Martinez had called a press conference days before to call for her return, despite their knowledge of the decease of the 16-year old. Peguero was pregnant with the child of Marlon. The autopsy confirmed the girl had died due to a blow on her head.
The Prosecution has asked 30-year jail sentence for Marlon Martínez and 20 years in prison for his mother Marlin Martínez. These are the maximum sentences allowed for murder and accessory to murder.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...os-familias-marcadas-por-un-crimen-KH11161139
https://noticiassin.com/fijan-para-el-proximo-miercoles-lectura-del-fallo-caso-emely-peguero/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...o-de-fondo-en-caso-emely-concluye-bajo-llanto
https://acento.com.do/2018/actualid...tinez-atacan-fundamentos-pruebas-la-fiscalia/