New ambassadors for Turkey, Germany and Qatar
Commission to make pre-selection of judge candidates for Constitutional Court
Pineapple exports to increase
Christmas bonuses to be paid early
Social Security Law to be reviewed
More protection for tourists
Haiti announces freezing of Felix Bautista company accounts
Employee on remand in jail for stealing confiscated motorcycles
Investigation into border kidnapping continues
FIFA orders special commission for Dominican Football Association
More disputes in Odebrecht case
Showing of collector’s outstanding works by leading Dominican artists
Diplomatic Ladies Bazaar set for 17 November
Rock Olympiads at Hard Rock Live
Cinderella at the Acropolis Mall
New ambassadors for Turkey, Germany and Qatar
The Presidency announced the appointment of Dominican ambassador in the United Kingdom, Federico Cuello Camilo to the Dominican embassy in Qatar. Likewise, the Presidency named Maybe Sánchez Caminero as ambassador in Germany. She is the widow of the late Dominican ambassador Rafael Calventi Gaviño and mother of Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez. By the same Decree 418-18, the Presidency named deputy Elías Serulle as ambassador to Turkey. He is a four-time elected deputy for the PLD party for the National District and member of the Central Committee of the PLD.
Commission to make pre-selection of judge candidates for Constitutional Court
The commission in charge of the pre-selection of applicants for positions in the Constitutional Court is meeting on Wednesday, 14 November 2018. Some 72 pre-candidates were registered. The commission needs to prepare the short list for the meeting of the National Magistry Council on Monday, 19 November.
The pre-selection commission members are Supreme Court judge Frank Soto, Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez, senators Reinaldo Pared Perez (PLD) and Jose Ignacio Paliza (PRM) and deputy Josefa Castillo (PLD).
Pineapple exports to increase
The government has launched a program to back pineapple production and increase exports. The government sees pineapples as a possible export product to new markets in China, says Agriculture Minister Osmar Benítez.
The backing includes technical assistance, credit, logistics support and investments to build and upgrade packaging facilities.
Benítez said that last year pineapples contributed around US$4.35 million in exports and the amount should increase next year.
Héctor Sánchez, president of pineapple growers association in Cevicos, Sánchez Ramírez province (Apropic), said there were currently around 100,000 tareas (6,500 hectares) of pineapple production in the Dominican Republic.
http://www.fruitnet.com/eurofruit/article/177145/dr-looks-to-increase-pineapple-exports
Christmas bonuses to be paid early
The Dominican government announced the 13th month Christmas wage would be paid starting 5 December 2018. According to Administrative Minister José Ramón Peralta, the 13th wage accounts for an extra injection into the economy of RD$17.085 billion.
First to receive the wage will be pension holders and the Police. The government says all bonuses would be issued no later than 12 December. Peralta said that the money will act as a boost to the economy. He called on the private sector to also issue the Christmas salary early to their employees.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...sueldo-a-partir-del-5-de-diciembre-DA11334755
Social Security Law to be reviewed
The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Radhamés Camacho, has set up a special commission to study, revise and modify the Social Security Law. The members of the commission, which will be presided over by Deputy Ramón Cabrera, are Juan Vicente Moronta, Adalgiza Fátima Pujol, Víctor Manuel Fadul Lantigua, María Mercedes Fernández Cruz, Miladis del Rosario Pantaleón, Adalgisa Abreu Polanco, Agustín Burgos Tejada, Ramón Francisco Toribio, José Altagracia González, Ines Xiomara Bryan, Rudy Melanio Hidalgo, Fidelio Despardel and Besaida Mercedes González. In addition, Ramon Morrison, who works in the legal section at the Institute of Social Security, will be available as a special advisor.
http://eldia.com.do/diputados-conforman-comision-para-modificar-ley-de-seguridad-social/
More protection for tourists
The directors of the National Institute of the Protection of Consumer Rights (Proconsumidor) and the Specialized Corps of Tourist Security (Cestur), Anina del Castillo and Juan Carlos Torres Robiou, respectively, have signed an agreement to respond more efficiently and effectively to complaints made by tourists.
The complaints tourists most often report are about changes in the prices of services and products, sales of fake artisan works, hotel packages, long stays booked in villas that later are not honored, as well as from tourists who say they are being cheated by mafias of lawyers, among others.
Del Castillo said that the inter-institutional agreement will ensure that tourists can be made aware of their rights when purchasing goods and services, as well as bringing clarity in pricing and compliance with reserved hotel packages, among others.
Given the importance of the tourism sector, Del Castillo explained the inter-agency agreement would bolster tourism and the nation’s economy.
Torres Robiou said that the agreement would help to control bad commercial practices in tourist areas, especially the exorbitant increases in prices. He said that one of the areas worst from where more cases are reported is in Boca Chica. He said there, they have had complaints of a serving of fried fish for a tourist costing as much as RD$2,000 when the average price should be no more than RD$400. This occurs many times when a “guide” takes an unknowing tourist into a restaurant and then the restaurant levies the tourist guide’s commission onto the bill of the tourist.
In addition, in Boca Chica, he said there is a mafia of lawyers that takes advantage of tourists who have broken the law and charge these high sums of money in dollars to try and resolve their cases.
http://hoy.com.do/daran-respuestas-a-reclamos-de-consumo-de-los-turistas/
Haiti announces freezing of Felix Bautista company accounts
Port-au-Prince Haiti's Government Commissioner Clamé-Ocnam Daméus has issued an order to freeze the bank accounts of 36 companies linked to the supposed corruption detected in the Petrocaribe program of the Venezuelan government. The decision was taken following an investigation ordered by the Haitian government into the program by means of which Venezuela provided petroleum to Haiti and other countries in the region.
Among the companies affected are Rofi and S.A., Hadom, S.A. (both belonging to Félix Bautista), Constructora Mar (of Mícalo Bermúdez) and Ingeniería Estrella (belonging to Manuel Estrella).
The Haitian Senate investigations have revealed that there was a diversion of more than US$2 billion from the program to former government officials and companies, although to date no one has been formally accused.
But representatives of the companies, nevertheless, say they have not been formally notified and are operating. In a press release, Constructora Hadom, Hadom S.A., and Construcciones y Diseños and Rofi, S.A. (owned by PLD senator Felix Bautista) are very interested in showing we have no ties to corruption. The company says it is available for explanations on their operations in Haiti. The press release says that the Haitian government owes Hadom and Rafi a payment of more than US$52 million.
Ingeniería Estrella issued a press release indicating it has no judicial case open in Haiti and the banks with which the company operates have not been notified by any authority.
Constructora Mar (Micaelo Bermudez) said the company has not carried out a work in Haiti that is related to the PetroCaribe funds. The company says it has no operations in Haiti.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...s-de-corrupcion-con-obras-en-haiti-AH11341607
https://acento.com.do/2018/internac...uel-estrella-por-caso-corrupcion-petrocaribe/
https://listindiario.com/las-mundia...mpresas-de-felix-bautista-y-el-grupo-estrella
http://hoy.com.do/caso-petrocaribe-...6-empresas-entre-ellas-hay-de-felix-bautista/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...de-felix-bautista-y-grupo-estrella-PA11331781
https://elnacional.com.do/empresas-rd-no-responden-cierre-cuentas-haiti/
Employee on remand in jail for stealing confiscated motorcycles
National District judge José Alejandro Vargas has handed down coercive measures of three months in preventive custody to a former employee of the National District Prosecution Office. Ramón Antonio Paulino Suriel is accused of stealing 19 motorcycles that had been confiscated as evidence in different judicial cases.
Via a press release, the Prosecution Service said that the Evidence Control Office had reported that since April this 2018, motorcycles were disappearing from the depository.
Paulino Suriel was questioned and later admitted that he had taken the motorcycles. He explained how he had taken the unauthorized possession of motorcycles and subsequently sold them. He was sent to the Najayo men’s jail in San Cristobal province.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...cusado-de-sustraer-19-motocicletas-incautadas
Investigation into border kidnapping continues
Following the kidnapping of cardiologist Pedro Ureña and six other Dominicans traveling together on a motorcycle excursion at the border by a group of at least 100 Haitians, Defense Minister Rubén Darío Paulino Sem has reported on his investigations to date.
He said that there had been an operation carried out by the Army, during which two motorcycles belonging to Haitians were confiscated as they did not have documentation, and the Haitians had decided to pressure Dominican authorities to return the bikes. To do this, they blocked the Carretera Internacional with trees and set fire to tires. He said that Pedro Ureña and the other Dominicans were kidnapped when travelling along the road where the protestors took violent measures to pressure Dominican authorities.
The situation has heightened the sense of insecurity in the area, and brought into the open the lack of control Dominican soldiers have in the area. The Ministry of Defense has also ordered an investigation into the actions of the army personnel, who despite being armed with firearms did nothing to interfere or defend Ureña and the other Dominicans affected by the mob of Haitians that assaulted Dominicans traveling on the road.
The Carretera Internacional runs for 55 kilometers from Pedro Santana to Restauracion. Along the way, there are several Dominican army posts.
In addition, in Dajabon province, Dominicans have complained that these sorts of attack are frequent, especially among those who either own businesses or supply merchants in the area.
Senator Adriano Sánchez Roa told El Nacional that Haitians have essentially taken control of large areas on the Dominican side of the border, such as in Tirolí in Elías Piña province. He said Dominicans traveling in this area are subject to assaults by the mobs that plague this area. “On several occasions I have seen armed civilians in places all through the area,” said the senator of Elías Piña.
He said that the situation experienced by Dr. Pedro Ureña and his friend when traveling on motorcycle on the Carretera Internacional on Saturday, 10 November 2018, occurs frequently. He said the case was known because it happened to Dr. Ureña and he went public with what had happened. But Sanchez Roa said these assaults happen constantly, because the Haitians are in control. He called for the military posts to be reinforced with more military and communication. He said in those areas Haitian telecom frequencies prevail because of the lack of action on behalf of the Dominican authorities. He said works need to be carried out to improve the Carretera Internacional. He said it takes around one hour to cover 20 kilometers. He called for better working conditions for the military in Tirolí, Uayajayuco, Los Cacaos.
Yesterday, journalist Santa Marte of the Listin Diario told her story of being kidnapped five months ago when traveling in Montecristi by a mob of Haitians. She said she was attacked with stones, sticks and machetes whoever tried to get through and Dominicans had to take refuge in the military post until the situation calmed down. She said Dominican authorities need to respond adequately and avoid the Haitian penetration of border areas. She said now 85% of the inhabitants in these areas are Haitians.
The Dominican border with Haiti is an area of 300 kms passing by the border province of Montecristi, Dajabon, Elías Piña and Pedernales. Haitians mostly cross over the areas between Elías Piña and Pedernales where they are evicting Dominicans from areas near the rivers. Likewise, there are complaints that using violence, the Haitians have evicted Dominican fishermen from national, coastal waters.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...era-ocurre-desde-el-pasado-viernes-IA11331292
https://elnacional.com.do/senador-denuncia-haitianos-controlan-zonas-dominicanas/
FIFA orders special commission for Dominican Football Association
The Bureau of the Football International Federation Association (FIFA) Council has decided to appoint a normalization committee for the Dominican Republic Football Association (Fedofutbol) in accordance with the FIFA Statutes. The decision concerning the Dominican Republic comes after a joint FIFA/Concacaf mission, which was dispatched to Santo Domingo following the recent decision of the FIFA Ethics Committee to ban Osiris Guzman, president of Fedofutbol since 1998, for ten years from all football-related activities.
The normalization committee’s mandate will include running the daily affairs of Fedofutbol; reviewing and approving the Fedofutbol statutes (and other regulations where necessary) and ensure their compliance with the FIFA Statutes and requirements; to organize and conduct elections for all members of Fedofutbol and a new executive committee. The normalization committee will be composed of Manuel José Luna Sued (chairman), Francisco Alberto Lapouble Segura andAlfredo José Badui Cantisano.While they assume their functions with immediate effect, their final confirmation will be based on the outcome of the eligibility check carried out by the FIFA Review Committee.
The normalization committee will also act as an electoral committee and none of its members will be eligible for any of the open positions in the elections and will conclude its mandate by 31 July 2019.
https://www.fifa.com/governance/new...ted-in-dominican-republic-and-madagascar.html
More disputes in Odebrecht case
Two of the seven accused in the Odebrecht bribery case have asked the judge in the case to declare recuse himself from hearing the case against them. The Supreme Court judge in charge of the case is Francisco Ortega Polanco, but lawyer Conrado Pittaluga, and former senator Andrés Bautista, think that this court should only hear the case against current senator Tommy Galán, as he has legal privileged status. Pittaluga and Bautista want their case to be heard in an ordinary court.
On 1 November, Judge Ortega Polanco ruled that the hearing would continue on 29 November 2018, and rejected another request that he withdraw from the case.
https://almomento.net/caso-odebrecht-bautista-y-galan-piden-juez-se-declare-incompetente/
Showing of collector’s outstanding works by leading Dominican artists
The National School of Visual Artes presents “El Dibujo en Colecciones Dominicanas,” a selection of 60 drawings, ceramics and sculptures by outstanding Dominican artists that are part of private national collections. Diario Libre says this could be the most important exhibition of the year. The curators for the exhibition are Alonso Cuevas and Rosalba Hernandez.
The exhibition is open from 9 to 6pm at the Sala Jaime Colson of the Escuela Nacional de Artes Visuales located on Calle El Conde 59 corner Isabel la Catolica.
The event is a tribute to art masters Pats Ventós, Martínez Richiez, Domingo Liz, Gaspar Mario Cruz, Manolo Pascual, Paul Giudicelli and Gilberto Hernández Ortega.
This is a unique opportunity to see the works by Celeste Woss y Gil, Theodore Chasseriau, Virgilio Mendez, Mariano Eckert, Yoryi Morel, Noemi Mella, Adriana Billini, Domingo Liz, Enrique García Godoy, Danilo de los Santos (Danicel), José Vela Zanetti, Jorge Severino, Antonio Guadalupe and José Perdomo. Also Paul Gaudicelli, Rosa Idalia García, Luis Desangles, Antonio Prats Ventós, Luis Martínez Richiez, Gaspar Mario Cruz, Carmen Ortega Pélaez and Thimo Pimentel.
The exhibition is accompanied by talks by experts of special interest to the general public.
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista/cultura/esta-puede-ser-la-mejor-exposicion-del-ano-HB11325310
Diplomatic Ladies Bazaar set for 17 November
The Ministry of Defense will be hosting on Saturday, 17 November 2018, the annual Diplomatic Ladies Association (ADD) Bazaar. The event is in its 37th year. The Ministry of Defense has lent its Independence Hall on Av. 27 de Febrero corner Luperon for the event that will be held from 9am to 5pm on Saturday.
The bazaar is a great opportunity to purchase foreign goods and arts and crafts at bargain prices. The funds raised are donated to education programs sponsored by the association in the country.
Rock Olympiads at Hard Rock Live
Sunday, 18 November 2018, is for rock lovers. At the Hard Rock Live in Blue Mall, a Rock Olympiad is being staged by Allan Leschorn and Kin Sanchez. Edwin Sanchez, musician and producer. There are around 35 musicians and 15 guest performers from various groups. Amaury Sanchez said they will be playing the best hits of rock groups over the years. The concert is set to start at 7pm.
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...-34-anos-de-las-olimpiadas-de-rock-KB11329333
Cinderella at the Acropolis Mall
Amaury Sanchez presents “Cinderella” at Studio Theater of the Acropolis Center on 24, 25, and 26 November. The Dominican version was arranged by Amaury Sanchez and Waddy Jaquez. The costumes were hand-painted by Hochi Asiatico, who has worked on several Broaday musicals. Tickets are for sale online at Ticketexpress.com.do and at the box office of Studio Theater at Acropolis Center on Av. Winston Churchill. Tickets are RD$1,000, RD$1,200 and RD$1,500.
Commission to make pre-selection of judge candidates for Constitutional Court
Pineapple exports to increase
Christmas bonuses to be paid early
Social Security Law to be reviewed
More protection for tourists
Haiti announces freezing of Felix Bautista company accounts
Employee on remand in jail for stealing confiscated motorcycles
Investigation into border kidnapping continues
FIFA orders special commission for Dominican Football Association
More disputes in Odebrecht case
Showing of collector’s outstanding works by leading Dominican artists
Diplomatic Ladies Bazaar set for 17 November
Rock Olympiads at Hard Rock Live
Cinderella at the Acropolis Mall
New ambassadors for Turkey, Germany and Qatar
The Presidency announced the appointment of Dominican ambassador in the United Kingdom, Federico Cuello Camilo to the Dominican embassy in Qatar. Likewise, the Presidency named Maybe Sánchez Caminero as ambassador in Germany. She is the widow of the late Dominican ambassador Rafael Calventi Gaviño and mother of Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez. By the same Decree 418-18, the Presidency named deputy Elías Serulle as ambassador to Turkey. He is a four-time elected deputy for the PLD party for the National District and member of the Central Committee of the PLD.
Commission to make pre-selection of judge candidates for Constitutional Court
The commission in charge of the pre-selection of applicants for positions in the Constitutional Court is meeting on Wednesday, 14 November 2018. Some 72 pre-candidates were registered. The commission needs to prepare the short list for the meeting of the National Magistry Council on Monday, 19 November.
The pre-selection commission members are Supreme Court judge Frank Soto, Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez, senators Reinaldo Pared Perez (PLD) and Jose Ignacio Paliza (PRM) and deputy Josefa Castillo (PLD).
Pineapple exports to increase
The government has launched a program to back pineapple production and increase exports. The government sees pineapples as a possible export product to new markets in China, says Agriculture Minister Osmar Benítez.
The backing includes technical assistance, credit, logistics support and investments to build and upgrade packaging facilities.
Benítez said that last year pineapples contributed around US$4.35 million in exports and the amount should increase next year.
Héctor Sánchez, president of pineapple growers association in Cevicos, Sánchez Ramírez province (Apropic), said there were currently around 100,000 tareas (6,500 hectares) of pineapple production in the Dominican Republic.
http://www.fruitnet.com/eurofruit/article/177145/dr-looks-to-increase-pineapple-exports
Christmas bonuses to be paid early
The Dominican government announced the 13th month Christmas wage would be paid starting 5 December 2018. According to Administrative Minister José Ramón Peralta, the 13th wage accounts for an extra injection into the economy of RD$17.085 billion.
First to receive the wage will be pension holders and the Police. The government says all bonuses would be issued no later than 12 December. Peralta said that the money will act as a boost to the economy. He called on the private sector to also issue the Christmas salary early to their employees.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...sueldo-a-partir-del-5-de-diciembre-DA11334755
Social Security Law to be reviewed
The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Radhamés Camacho, has set up a special commission to study, revise and modify the Social Security Law. The members of the commission, which will be presided over by Deputy Ramón Cabrera, are Juan Vicente Moronta, Adalgiza Fátima Pujol, Víctor Manuel Fadul Lantigua, María Mercedes Fernández Cruz, Miladis del Rosario Pantaleón, Adalgisa Abreu Polanco, Agustín Burgos Tejada, Ramón Francisco Toribio, José Altagracia González, Ines Xiomara Bryan, Rudy Melanio Hidalgo, Fidelio Despardel and Besaida Mercedes González. In addition, Ramon Morrison, who works in the legal section at the Institute of Social Security, will be available as a special advisor.
http://eldia.com.do/diputados-conforman-comision-para-modificar-ley-de-seguridad-social/
More protection for tourists
The directors of the National Institute of the Protection of Consumer Rights (Proconsumidor) and the Specialized Corps of Tourist Security (Cestur), Anina del Castillo and Juan Carlos Torres Robiou, respectively, have signed an agreement to respond more efficiently and effectively to complaints made by tourists.
The complaints tourists most often report are about changes in the prices of services and products, sales of fake artisan works, hotel packages, long stays booked in villas that later are not honored, as well as from tourists who say they are being cheated by mafias of lawyers, among others.
Del Castillo said that the inter-institutional agreement will ensure that tourists can be made aware of their rights when purchasing goods and services, as well as bringing clarity in pricing and compliance with reserved hotel packages, among others.
Given the importance of the tourism sector, Del Castillo explained the inter-agency agreement would bolster tourism and the nation’s economy.
Torres Robiou said that the agreement would help to control bad commercial practices in tourist areas, especially the exorbitant increases in prices. He said that one of the areas worst from where more cases are reported is in Boca Chica. He said there, they have had complaints of a serving of fried fish for a tourist costing as much as RD$2,000 when the average price should be no more than RD$400. This occurs many times when a “guide” takes an unknowing tourist into a restaurant and then the restaurant levies the tourist guide’s commission onto the bill of the tourist.
In addition, in Boca Chica, he said there is a mafia of lawyers that takes advantage of tourists who have broken the law and charge these high sums of money in dollars to try and resolve their cases.
http://hoy.com.do/daran-respuestas-a-reclamos-de-consumo-de-los-turistas/
Haiti announces freezing of Felix Bautista company accounts
Port-au-Prince Haiti's Government Commissioner Clamé-Ocnam Daméus has issued an order to freeze the bank accounts of 36 companies linked to the supposed corruption detected in the Petrocaribe program of the Venezuelan government. The decision was taken following an investigation ordered by the Haitian government into the program by means of which Venezuela provided petroleum to Haiti and other countries in the region.
Among the companies affected are Rofi and S.A., Hadom, S.A. (both belonging to Félix Bautista), Constructora Mar (of Mícalo Bermúdez) and Ingeniería Estrella (belonging to Manuel Estrella).
The Haitian Senate investigations have revealed that there was a diversion of more than US$2 billion from the program to former government officials and companies, although to date no one has been formally accused.
But representatives of the companies, nevertheless, say they have not been formally notified and are operating. In a press release, Constructora Hadom, Hadom S.A., and Construcciones y Diseños and Rofi, S.A. (owned by PLD senator Felix Bautista) are very interested in showing we have no ties to corruption. The company says it is available for explanations on their operations in Haiti. The press release says that the Haitian government owes Hadom and Rafi a payment of more than US$52 million.
Ingeniería Estrella issued a press release indicating it has no judicial case open in Haiti and the banks with which the company operates have not been notified by any authority.
Constructora Mar (Micaelo Bermudez) said the company has not carried out a work in Haiti that is related to the PetroCaribe funds. The company says it has no operations in Haiti.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...s-de-corrupcion-con-obras-en-haiti-AH11341607
https://acento.com.do/2018/internac...uel-estrella-por-caso-corrupcion-petrocaribe/
https://listindiario.com/las-mundia...mpresas-de-felix-bautista-y-el-grupo-estrella
http://hoy.com.do/caso-petrocaribe-...6-empresas-entre-ellas-hay-de-felix-bautista/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...de-felix-bautista-y-grupo-estrella-PA11331781
https://elnacional.com.do/empresas-rd-no-responden-cierre-cuentas-haiti/
Employee on remand in jail for stealing confiscated motorcycles
National District judge José Alejandro Vargas has handed down coercive measures of three months in preventive custody to a former employee of the National District Prosecution Office. Ramón Antonio Paulino Suriel is accused of stealing 19 motorcycles that had been confiscated as evidence in different judicial cases.
Via a press release, the Prosecution Service said that the Evidence Control Office had reported that since April this 2018, motorcycles were disappearing from the depository.
Paulino Suriel was questioned and later admitted that he had taken the motorcycles. He explained how he had taken the unauthorized possession of motorcycles and subsequently sold them. He was sent to the Najayo men’s jail in San Cristobal province.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...cusado-de-sustraer-19-motocicletas-incautadas
Investigation into border kidnapping continues
Following the kidnapping of cardiologist Pedro Ureña and six other Dominicans traveling together on a motorcycle excursion at the border by a group of at least 100 Haitians, Defense Minister Rubén Darío Paulino Sem has reported on his investigations to date.
He said that there had been an operation carried out by the Army, during which two motorcycles belonging to Haitians were confiscated as they did not have documentation, and the Haitians had decided to pressure Dominican authorities to return the bikes. To do this, they blocked the Carretera Internacional with trees and set fire to tires. He said that Pedro Ureña and the other Dominicans were kidnapped when travelling along the road where the protestors took violent measures to pressure Dominican authorities.
The situation has heightened the sense of insecurity in the area, and brought into the open the lack of control Dominican soldiers have in the area. The Ministry of Defense has also ordered an investigation into the actions of the army personnel, who despite being armed with firearms did nothing to interfere or defend Ureña and the other Dominicans affected by the mob of Haitians that assaulted Dominicans traveling on the road.
The Carretera Internacional runs for 55 kilometers from Pedro Santana to Restauracion. Along the way, there are several Dominican army posts.
In addition, in Dajabon province, Dominicans have complained that these sorts of attack are frequent, especially among those who either own businesses or supply merchants in the area.
Senator Adriano Sánchez Roa told El Nacional that Haitians have essentially taken control of large areas on the Dominican side of the border, such as in Tirolí in Elías Piña province. He said Dominicans traveling in this area are subject to assaults by the mobs that plague this area. “On several occasions I have seen armed civilians in places all through the area,” said the senator of Elías Piña.
He said that the situation experienced by Dr. Pedro Ureña and his friend when traveling on motorcycle on the Carretera Internacional on Saturday, 10 November 2018, occurs frequently. He said the case was known because it happened to Dr. Ureña and he went public with what had happened. But Sanchez Roa said these assaults happen constantly, because the Haitians are in control. He called for the military posts to be reinforced with more military and communication. He said in those areas Haitian telecom frequencies prevail because of the lack of action on behalf of the Dominican authorities. He said works need to be carried out to improve the Carretera Internacional. He said it takes around one hour to cover 20 kilometers. He called for better working conditions for the military in Tirolí, Uayajayuco, Los Cacaos.
Yesterday, journalist Santa Marte of the Listin Diario told her story of being kidnapped five months ago when traveling in Montecristi by a mob of Haitians. She said she was attacked with stones, sticks and machetes whoever tried to get through and Dominicans had to take refuge in the military post until the situation calmed down. She said Dominican authorities need to respond adequately and avoid the Haitian penetration of border areas. She said now 85% of the inhabitants in these areas are Haitians.
The Dominican border with Haiti is an area of 300 kms passing by the border province of Montecristi, Dajabon, Elías Piña and Pedernales. Haitians mostly cross over the areas between Elías Piña and Pedernales where they are evicting Dominicans from areas near the rivers. Likewise, there are complaints that using violence, the Haitians have evicted Dominican fishermen from national, coastal waters.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...era-ocurre-desde-el-pasado-viernes-IA11331292
https://elnacional.com.do/senador-denuncia-haitianos-controlan-zonas-dominicanas/
FIFA orders special commission for Dominican Football Association
The Bureau of the Football International Federation Association (FIFA) Council has decided to appoint a normalization committee for the Dominican Republic Football Association (Fedofutbol) in accordance with the FIFA Statutes. The decision concerning the Dominican Republic comes after a joint FIFA/Concacaf mission, which was dispatched to Santo Domingo following the recent decision of the FIFA Ethics Committee to ban Osiris Guzman, president of Fedofutbol since 1998, for ten years from all football-related activities.
The normalization committee’s mandate will include running the daily affairs of Fedofutbol; reviewing and approving the Fedofutbol statutes (and other regulations where necessary) and ensure their compliance with the FIFA Statutes and requirements; to organize and conduct elections for all members of Fedofutbol and a new executive committee. The normalization committee will be composed of Manuel José Luna Sued (chairman), Francisco Alberto Lapouble Segura andAlfredo José Badui Cantisano.While they assume their functions with immediate effect, their final confirmation will be based on the outcome of the eligibility check carried out by the FIFA Review Committee.
The normalization committee will also act as an electoral committee and none of its members will be eligible for any of the open positions in the elections and will conclude its mandate by 31 July 2019.
https://www.fifa.com/governance/new...ted-in-dominican-republic-and-madagascar.html
More disputes in Odebrecht case
Two of the seven accused in the Odebrecht bribery case have asked the judge in the case to declare recuse himself from hearing the case against them. The Supreme Court judge in charge of the case is Francisco Ortega Polanco, but lawyer Conrado Pittaluga, and former senator Andrés Bautista, think that this court should only hear the case against current senator Tommy Galán, as he has legal privileged status. Pittaluga and Bautista want their case to be heard in an ordinary court.
On 1 November, Judge Ortega Polanco ruled that the hearing would continue on 29 November 2018, and rejected another request that he withdraw from the case.
https://almomento.net/caso-odebrecht-bautista-y-galan-piden-juez-se-declare-incompetente/
Showing of collector’s outstanding works by leading Dominican artists
The National School of Visual Artes presents “El Dibujo en Colecciones Dominicanas,” a selection of 60 drawings, ceramics and sculptures by outstanding Dominican artists that are part of private national collections. Diario Libre says this could be the most important exhibition of the year. The curators for the exhibition are Alonso Cuevas and Rosalba Hernandez.
The exhibition is open from 9 to 6pm at the Sala Jaime Colson of the Escuela Nacional de Artes Visuales located on Calle El Conde 59 corner Isabel la Catolica.
The event is a tribute to art masters Pats Ventós, Martínez Richiez, Domingo Liz, Gaspar Mario Cruz, Manolo Pascual, Paul Giudicelli and Gilberto Hernández Ortega.
This is a unique opportunity to see the works by Celeste Woss y Gil, Theodore Chasseriau, Virgilio Mendez, Mariano Eckert, Yoryi Morel, Noemi Mella, Adriana Billini, Domingo Liz, Enrique García Godoy, Danilo de los Santos (Danicel), José Vela Zanetti, Jorge Severino, Antonio Guadalupe and José Perdomo. Also Paul Gaudicelli, Rosa Idalia García, Luis Desangles, Antonio Prats Ventós, Luis Martínez Richiez, Gaspar Mario Cruz, Carmen Ortega Pélaez and Thimo Pimentel.
The exhibition is accompanied by talks by experts of special interest to the general public.
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista/cultura/esta-puede-ser-la-mejor-exposicion-del-ano-HB11325310
Diplomatic Ladies Bazaar set for 17 November
The Ministry of Defense will be hosting on Saturday, 17 November 2018, the annual Diplomatic Ladies Association (ADD) Bazaar. The event is in its 37th year. The Ministry of Defense has lent its Independence Hall on Av. 27 de Febrero corner Luperon for the event that will be held from 9am to 5pm on Saturday.
The bazaar is a great opportunity to purchase foreign goods and arts and crafts at bargain prices. The funds raised are donated to education programs sponsored by the association in the country.
Rock Olympiads at Hard Rock Live
Sunday, 18 November 2018, is for rock lovers. At the Hard Rock Live in Blue Mall, a Rock Olympiad is being staged by Allan Leschorn and Kin Sanchez. Edwin Sanchez, musician and producer. There are around 35 musicians and 15 guest performers from various groups. Amaury Sanchez said they will be playing the best hits of rock groups over the years. The concert is set to start at 7pm.
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...-34-anos-de-las-olimpiadas-de-rock-KB11329333
Cinderella at the Acropolis Mall
Amaury Sanchez presents “Cinderella” at Studio Theater of the Acropolis Center on 24, 25, and 26 November. The Dominican version was arranged by Amaury Sanchez and Waddy Jaquez. The costumes were hand-painted by Hochi Asiatico, who has worked on several Broaday musicals. Tickets are for sale online at Ticketexpress.com.do and at the box office of Studio Theater at Acropolis Center on Av. Winston Churchill. Tickets are RD$1,000, RD$1,200 and RD$1,500.