President Medina attends Our Lady of Altagracia mass
President Medina blames deportees from US for increase in drug trafficking
Medina names Felix Alburqueque as DNCD director
Senator calls for police chief resignation
Ambassadors of Argentina, Colombia, France, Kuwait and South Africa present credentials
Ruben Jimenez Bichara says the CDEEE deficit for 2018 was US$665 million
Coraasan installs major water line in La Canela
Cost of new wharf in Puerto Plata will be on concessionaire
Avocados planted along the border with Haiti
Capital city government invests RD$100 million to solve rain drainage problems
Trucks ordered to stick to 70 kph limit and drive on the left
Record year for free zone exports
Scholarships to study government at Instituto José Francisco Peña Gómez
Improvised cemetery in Los Alcarrizos now has over 500 residents
Ownership willing to talk to labor on wage increase
Adriano Espaillat to House of Representatives Transport Committee
Human Rights Watch once again questions Dominican policies
Harper snowstorm grounds hundreds of travelers
Milagros German to host Soberano Awards
Million dollar insurance policy keeps Robinson Cano from playing here
Estrellas vs Toros: Will the Estrellas break the 50 year curse?
President Medina attends Our Lady of Altagracia mass
On Monday, 21 January 2019 President Danilo Medina was in the eastern city of Higuey for the celebration of the day of Our Lady of Altagracia. He accompanied thousands of pilgrims who travelled to the Roman Catholic Church’s Basilica de la Altagracia in Higuey to pray.
The media reported on the chaos outside the Basilica when the President arrived in time to participate in the 10am mass. Medina was accompanied by First Lady Cándida Montilla; Education Science and Technology Minister Alejandrina Germán; Defense Minister Rubén Darío Paulino Sem, Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo; Presidency Minister Gustavo Montalvo, and other government representatives.
In the gardens outside the church, many people came prepared with tents to camp out for a few days, and candles, food and clothes were all for sale in a temporary market.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...diciones-para-el-pais-en-dia-de-la-altagracia
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-congregan-desde-ayer-en-la-basilica-de-higey
President Medina blames deportees from US for increase in drug trafficking
President Danilo Medina acknowledged on Friday, 18 January 2019, as the nation began the Altagracia Day-long weekend, that drug trafficking has permeated the military and security agencies. Nevertheless, the President said the situation is not a threat to the country and that there is a constant struggle to fight the scourge given the criminal organizations that handle enormous amounts of money in all of Latin America.
"What is happening is that here there is already a quantity of drugs that remain circulating in the country as a result of the situation in which the drug traffickers, are not paying their workers in dollars, but rather with the drugs,” said the President. He explained that then the local dealers have to sell these drugs at the retail level to get paid.
“Anyone, today, even many white-collar people, are linked to the drug trade and drug trafficking has penetrated many areas of the Dominican Republic, including military and security areas," said Medina speaking after the presentation of credentials of new ambassadors in the country.
Medina then blamed the US rule that repatriates hundreds of convicted Dominican drug traffickers who then become local drug retailers. He said the country does not have a program to re-assimilate these persons into society. He said the Dominican Republic has gone from being a transshipment point for illegal drugs to being a nation where these narcotics are being sold on the streets of country.
"That is a problem of Dominican society that we have to see what we do with that amount of deported Dominicans who arrive every week from the United States. He said 80 criminals can arrive on a single flight in any week from the United States. “We have to learn to fight this new type of crime that is imported from the United States, that is affecting us too," he maintained. Nevertheless, he insisted that homicides in the country are down 15%.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/01...ue-narcotrafico-permea-varias-areas-del-pais/
Medina names Felix Alburqueque as DNCD director
President Danilo Medina issued Decree 39-19 to appoint Félix Alburquerque Comprés the new president of the National Drug Control Agency. The appointment came after the resignation on Friday, 18 January 2019, of former director, Major General José Eugenio Matos de la Cruz, following the murder of a highly respected police colonel in a controversial incident that recently occurred in southcentral city of Baní.
At the time of his appointment Alburquerque had served as deputy vice minister of Defense for naval and coastal matters. In his career he has served as deputy chief of the Navy, military security director at the Puerto Multimodal Caucedo, the largest in the country, deputy director of naval intelligence, director of investigations at the Migration Agency, among other important positions. He is a graduate of the Naval Academy and of International Policies at the UASD, the state university. A career Navy vice admiral, Alburquerque will turn 56 on 25 January 2019.
Matos de la Cruz has not explained the reason for his resignation. Yet, El Nacional reported that Matos de la Cruz had not accepted the imposition of his being subject to work under the coordination of the Public Ministry and state security agencies. Matos de la Cruz had been appointed in August 2018 and had maintained the position the DNCD should operate independence from other security organizations. As reported, the Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez assumed the control of the DNCD operations after the seizing of 1,000 kilos of cocaine at the Haina Port on 20 November 2019.
El Nacional reports that it is unlikely the country will now know the names of the military and anti-narcotic agents that were involved in the seizing of the 1,000 kilo shipment of cocaine at the port in November. Matos de la Cruz had said he would go public with the names of these persons.
Likewise, the country will neither have information on the results of the investigation regarding two pineapple vendors that died during a shootout at the Duarte Produce Market.
Following the murder of Police colonel in Baní, Peravia province senator Wilton Guerrero accused the authorities of complicity with the drug vendors in the province.
http://hoy.com.do/conozca-el-curriculum-de-felix-alburquerque-el-nuevo-presidente-de-la-dncd/
https://elnacional.com.do/pgr-asume-control-de-operativos-antidrogas/
https://elnacional.com.do/renuncia-...vicealmirante-felix-alburquerque-en-su-lugar/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...dimision-del-jefe-dncd-revive-otras-renuncias
Senator calls for police chief resignation
Peravia province senator, Wilton Guerrero, has said that the director of the National Police, Ney Aldrin Bautista, should resign as the director of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) has done. Senator Guerrero said that the resignation of Major General José Eugenio Matos de la Cruz, from the DNCD was a responsible decision and suggested the director of the National Police should do the same. The resignation happened following the shooting of a police colonel at a drug sales point in Bani.
Guerrero went on to say that in his opinion the director of the Police is the main senior person responsible for the levels of violence increasing to levels never seen before. Guerrero has argued many times that drug trafficking operations are ongoing with the complicity of state security forces.
Meanwhile, President Danilo Medina has appointed Vice Adminral Félix Alburquerque Comprés as the new president of the DNCD. It is not known why 56-year old Matos de la Cruz resigned, after only five months in charge of the DNCD.
http://eldia.com.do/wilton-guerrero-dice-director-de-la-policia-nacional-debe-renunciar-al-cargo/
Ambassadors of Argentina, Colombia, France, Kuwait and South Africa present credentials
President Danilo Medina received the letters of credence for the ambassadors of Argentina, Colombia, France, Kuwait and South Africa on Friday, 18 January 2019 at the Presidential Palace. Also present was Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado.
The new ambassadors are:
Argentina. Nora Elizabeth Capello, for this lawyer, it is her first ambassadorial position.
Colombia. Nohora Stella Tovar Rey, former senator and academic sector businesswoman.
Cuba. Milagros Karina Soto Agüero, former Cuban ambassador in Italy.
South Africa. Phaninga Pandit is a career diplomat who has served as ambassador in Venezuela, Colombia, among other countries. She has served as general manager for South African Broadcasting Corporation.
France: Didier Lopinot. A lawyer and career diplomat, Lopinot has been the French ambassador to Slovakia and Ecuador.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...ciales-nuevos-embajadores-de-francia-colombia
Ruben Jimenez Bichara says the CDEEE deficit for 2018 was US$665 million
The head of the state-owned Dominican Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), Ruben Jimenez Bichara says the entity had broken the US$500 million barrier of the company’s payment deficit in 2018, ending the year at US$665 million. The government had planned to transfer some US$425 million into the sector in 2018, but because of an increase in the cost of fuels, the government had to shell out another US$240 million.
Ever the defender of the government’s electricity sector, Jimenez Bichara said that once the country has access to less expensive electricity (read Punta Catalina’s 720 MW from coal-fired generators), the deficit will decrease significantly. Referring to Punta Catalina, the CDEEE boss said that by the end of February 2019, he expects to have the first Punta Catalina generated 200 MW on the national grid.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...or-electrico-fue-us-665-mm-en-2018-AN11855317
Coraasan installs major water line in La Canela
The Santiago Water and Sewer Corporation (CORAASAN) has begun the installation of a major improvement in the water supply for the people that live to the south of the Yaque River and to the west of the metropolis. The area of La Canela and the new “Juan Bosch City” development will have a steady water supply thanks to this RD$65 million investment by Coraasan.
Starting the project in Hatos del Yaque, Silvio Duran, the Coraasan director, said that it was a special interest of President Danilo Medina that his project provide water to the communities 24 hours a day. The 3.2 km line will bring water from the water treatment plant to the water tanks at Juan Bosch City.
https://elnacional.com.do/instalan-linea-de-impulsion-en-sector-santiago/
Cost of new wharf in Puerto Plata will be on concessionaire
The US$125 million cost of the complete restructuring of Puerto Plata bay for multiple usage will be covered by the concessionaire, Puerto Plata Post Investment, which won the public tender for the project. The basic idea is to convert the old Puerto Plata city port area into a center for import-export commerce.
The commercial name of the cruiseship port is Taino Bay. The company is supposed to build and repair three wharves: one for cruise ships; one for freight and one for fishermen.
Victor Gomez Casanova, the executive director for the Dominican Port Authority, emphasized the economic impact of the project. The public-private alliance covers the construction of a special wharf for commercial fishermen together with a series of collateral projects for the development of the port area.
According to Gomez Casanova, just in the first year, the project is supposed to serve some 600,000 cruise line passengers. According to the press release, the Taino Bay people have already sealed deals with four of the major cruise lines, and, again according to the Port Authority director, in the second year, the number of visitors is expected to reach one million. In the more immediate future, the construction project is expected to create some 6,500 jobs.
https://elcaribe.com.do/2019/01/17/...en-muelle-de-pp-correra-por-la-concesionaria/
Avocados planted along the border with Haiti
Some 20 kilometers of the border with Haiti are populated by avocado trees, as part of a huge agricultural venture that reaches into the shelves of Walmart. Over 70,000 tareas (422,000,000 m2) of land in the area of El Calimete in the impoverished province of Elias Piña has been planted with highly selected varieties of avocado (mostly Hass), and the company has another 30,000 tareas in in San Jose de Ocoa.
As reported in El Dia, the farm belongs to Manuel Castillo Pimentel and has become the largest employer along the border with some 1,600 workers, which allows both Dominicans and Haitians to remain in the area. Castillo Pimentel told reporters from El Dia that the trees begin life as seeds in nurseries in San Jose de Ocoa, and at a very early age they are grafted by experts with the Hass variety of avocados that is what Walmart and BJ’s request. There are 300 persons employed in Ocoa for this purpose.
The MACAPI nursery produces some 300,000 plants a year, mostly for the farm in Elias Piña. Every avocado harvested is sold. According to the report, the climate in El Calimete is similar to that of Constanza, at 1,700 meters above sea level.
The project has not been easy and the company has had to construct some 300 kilometers of roads, including parts of the International Highway. Given the size of the production and the very strict demands of their customers, the company had to open a packing facility in Mexico in order to keep up with the demand. Castillo Pimentel called this move “one of the most important decisions to achieve the market we now have.”
http://eldia.com.do/el-aguacate-un-guardian-fronterizo/
Capital city government invests RD$100 million to solve rain drainage problems
National District Mayor David Collado says that the city government has invested over RD$100 million in rain drainage solutions for the capital city in the two years and fourth months of his administration. He made the remark after giving the go ahead for the solution of rain drainage problems in Espaillat neighborhood in northern part of the city. The drainage problems had worsened with the construction of the Santo Domingo Metro line 2.
Among areas where rain drainage problems have been resolved under his administration is Ensanche Kennedy, and the barrios 24 de Abril, La Castellana, los kilometros de la Carretera Sanchez, and Cristo Rey.
http://hoy.com.do/cabildo-invierte-rd100-millones-drenaje/
Trucks ordered to stick to 70 kph limit and drive on the left
The Transit and Transport Security Agency (Digesett) reported that more than 260 cargo vehicles drivers were penalized on the first day of the implementation of Resolution No. 1-2019 that regulates cargo transport on roadways. The drivers were issued fines for driving in left lanes of multilane highways, excessive cargo loads, or speeding.
https://elnacional.com.do/digesett-...los-de-cargas-por-violar-disposicion-intrant/
Record year for free zone exports
The Dominican Association of Free Zones (Adozona) reported tax free manufacturing industries exported more than US$6 billion for the first time. This is an increase of 10% for 2018 over 2017. Exports in 2017 had peaked at US$5.6 billion, but in 2018, exports rounded off at US$6,252 million, up 9.8% over the previous year. The exports were shipped from 686 free zones located in 73 industrial parks nationwide. The free zones employ 170,000, up 5% compared to the previous year.
The president of the Dominican Association of Free Zones, Federico Domínguez Aristy, remarks: "Increasingly the free zone model continues to consolidate as the ideal formula to attract foreign investment, generate jobs and grow our exports that are generating foreign exchange and development for the country," said Dominguez Aristy.
He added: "Now the challenge is to continue strengthening the training programs of the free zone collaborators and technifying and diversifying our production to continue making the country one of the most attractive destinations in the continent for the installation of companies dedicated to manufacturing and global services ".
The Dominican Republic exports products to more than 135 countries, several of which have reached the category of world leaders.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/01...de-zonas-francas-pasaron-de-us6-mil-millones/
Scholarships to study government at Instituto José Francisco Peña Gómez
The Instituto de Formación Política Doctor José Francisco Peña Gómez is offering scholarships for aspiring politicians and government officers in the semester with classes starting on 25 February 2019. The institute has the backing of the Universidad Católica Santo Domingo. The scholarships are for the courses “Political and Government Management”, “Municipal Management”, “Making and Management of Social Projects,” and “Politics: History, Theory and Practices.”
The announcement was made by Yvelisse Prats-Ramirez de Pérez, academic director of the institute.
The Instituto JFPG is located at Av. Bolívar 199, La Esperilla, National District. Tels 809 732-9340 and email: institutojfpg1@gmail.com
Improvised cemetery in Los Alcarrizos now has over 500 residents
The lack of funds or perhaps many other reasons have brought about the creation of an un-official cemetery in Los Alcarrizos, in West Santo Domingo. Just one year ago, the first person was buried in the vacant lot that today holds the remains of 562 persons.
Lourdes Maria Hernandez, 82, had to be buried in the grounds that were once part of the State Sugar Council (CEA) after her family tried everything in order to have her interred in Cristo Redentor and Los Casabes cemeteries, as well as La Cuaba, Manoguayabo and others where allegedly there was a lack of space or some RD$10,000 were required.
Community leaders came together and formed a Patronage or Sponsorship to lead the fight to create the Los Alcarrizos Municipal Cemetery. They have obtained topographical studies of the area, and the area has been divided into sections where families arrive on a daily basis to bury their loved ones.
Don Carlos Lora, one of the promoters of the idea of the municipal cemetery, told reporters from the Diario Libre that they have worked for over a year to obtain the 400,000m2 of land needed for the park. The interments are carried out in accordance with the law: three copies of the Death Certificate, a copy of the deceased person’s ID (cédula) as well as one of the persons representing the deceased and the persons are encouraged to go to the Central Electoral Board and follow their procedures.
The governmental authorities have not declared this to be an “official” cemetery because of legal issues with the property owners.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...lcarrizos-alberga-ya-562-cadaveres-KN11855971
Ownership willing to talk to labor on wage increase
The business sector is willing to take part in the tripartite talks when the National Salary Committee convenes the parties to revise salaries in the country this year. However, the executive vice-president of the National Business Council (CONEP), Cesar Dargam, pointed out that by no means can attention be distracted from the “urgent need” for the amendments to the Labor Code, which is currently 27 years old.
He told reporters from the Diario Libre: “As you know, there is a National Salary Committee that meets every two years, and they are supposed to meet this year, and we are most willing to take part in the talks and to discuss what the conditions will be.”
He noted that the current Labor Code has been in effect for 27 years and that this is a different world, with robotics and many different ways of working. He said that there should be a salary adjustment, but the conditions for such an adjustment must be studied.
He said that nobody wants a worker who is not happy, who is without a safety net or health insurance, because this is reflected in the productivity. Dargam spoke in these terms after the head of one of the major labor syndicates, the Autonomous Classist, Syndicate Confederation (CASC), Gabriel del Rio Done, called for a minimum wage of RD$20,000 and included pensioners who were currently receiving RD$5,100. Both men spoke during the release of the report titled “Dominican Syndicate Agenda” and effort supported by the European Union.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...-a-dialogar-sobre-aumento-salarial-AO11862165
Adriano Espaillat to House of Representatives Transport Committee
Dominican-born New York Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) was appointed to serve on the influential House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Espaillat has consistently given priority to transportation and transit in his work for New York. He has called transportation and transit “the lifeblood of our city.”
In this position, Espaillat will have jurisdiction over the agencies, programs that finance and regulate transportation, including national public transport, railroad, highway, bridges and other transportation systems.
In his first remarks after the appointment, he highlighted that New York has the largest public transport system in the United States.
https://elnacional.com.do/camara-eu-designa-a-espaillat/
Human Rights Watch once again questions Dominican policies
The 2019 World Report by the Human Rights Watch does not even have a separate report on the Dominican Republic. In fact the Dominican Republic is only mentioned in regards to the handling of Haitian immigration and migratory status.
The report says that at least 250,000 Dominicans of Haitian descent and Haitian migrants working in the Dominican Republic re-entered Haiti between June 2015 and March 2018, after Dominican officials began deportations in accordance with a controversial 2015 Plan for the Regularization of Foreigners in the Dominican Republic. Many deportations did not meet international standards and many people have been swept up in arbitrary, summary deportations without any sort of hearing.
In addition to those deported, many people left the Dominican Republic under pressure or threat. Of more than 6,000 under investigation, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has verified legitimate Dominican nationality for more than 2,800 individuals now in Haiti. During the first six months of 2018 alone, nearly 70,000 Haitians were returned to their country. After being renewed three times, the Plan for the Regularization of Foreigners ended in August 2018, leaving more than 200,000 Haitians who remain in the Dominican Republic without valid paperwork at continued risk of deportation.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...estionar-politica-migratoria-local-HO11868087
https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019
Harper snowstorm grounds hundreds of travelers
Hundreds of travelers have been affected by cancellations of flights on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (18-20 January 2019) to northeastern United States. Airlines serving the area are issuing change-fee waivers for the travelers, including JetBlue. JetBlue is the carrier serving the Dominican Republic. Reports are that travelers that needed to get back have rebooked their flights to arrive to Miami and then connect to the northeastern destination.
The cancellations, nevertheless, have also affected most northern geographical areas in the US and traveler connections. Travelers are recommended to check with the airline, prior to leaving for the airport to see if they will need to rebook. The area is affected by the passing of snowstorm Harper that as of Saturday, 19 January 2019 caused at least five deaths, thousands of flights cancelled and hundreds of vehicle crashes.
Reports are that the storm’s biggest impact on air travel were over the weekend with a mix of snow, ice, rain and wind moving across the airports serving New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington and Baltimore.
The airlines serving the area explain that flight cancellations seem likely to push into thousands if the current weather forecasts hold. Flights affected are operated by United, JetBlue, Air Canada, American, Delta, and many other airlines. As reported in the US press, airlines have cancelled more than 2,000 flights from the Midwest to New England.
US travelers are also beginning to be affected by the US government shutdown that has TSA, FAA and customs and Border Protection officers working without pay at many airports.
Flights to Europe, South America and the Caribbean are not affected by bad weather and operated normally, reports Las Americas International Airports.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/trav...n-winter-storm-harper-strengthens/2612919002/
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/18/win...s-waive-change-fees-ahead-of-bad-weather.html
https://weather.com/news/news/2019-01-20-winter-storm-harper-impacts-midwest-northeast
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...en-el-aila-por-cancelacion-de-vuelos-hacia-ny
Milagros German to host Soberano Awards
Dominican TV’s star Milagros German (La Diva) was named to be the host of the 2019 Soberano Awards, the leading awards ceremony in the Dominican entertainment industry. The awards are scheduled for Tuesday, 19 March 2019 at the National Theater in Santo Domingo. German had hosted the show 15 years ago in 2004.
In accepting the responsibility she expressed her gratitude to the Asociación de Cronistas de Arte (Acroarte), the local show business chroniclers association, and to the Cervecería Nacional Dominicana (CND), the Presidente beer brewery, and ceremony producer Alberto Zayas for the appointment.
http://eldia.com.do/milagros-german-al-soberano-despues-de-15-anos/
Million-dollar insurance policy keeps Robinson Cano from playing here
The New York Mets demanded an insurance policy that would cover the US$118 million remaining on the contract of the All Star infielder of the Mets. According to Jose Mallen Calac, the general manager of the Estrellas Orientales, the league leaders in both the regular and round-robin series of this year’s professional baseball tournament, Mets owner Fred Wilpon said that Cano could play for the Estrellas but the club would have to take out an insurance policy to cover the millions of dollars the Major League club would lose if he got hurt.
Mallen told reporters that Cano had done everything he could to get permission to play but the Big League club was not too happy with this and required the insurance policy.
Years ago, 2014-2015, Robinson Cano played for the Estrellas in the finals series against the Gigantes del Cibao. The sad part is that by signing with the Mets, Cano could not deliver on a promise he made last summer to join his Estrellas team and help it win their first title in over 50 years.
https://www.diariolibre.com/deporte...guro-saca-a-cano-de-jugar-la-final-BO11861374
Estrellas vs Toros: Will the Estrellas break the 50 year curse?
The Estrellas are leading in the winter baseball playoffs. The Estrellas pulled off an important third win in the 9-5 playoff series against the Toros del Este over the Altagracia Day long weekend.
The Estrellas now have three victories to one loss. The Toros have only won one game as the teams that represent the southeast of the Dominican Republic battle it out for the 2018-2019 Dominican Professional Baseball Championship.
With probably only the exception of Toros fans, for the most part, the Estrellas have the goodwill of Dominican baseball fans that want to see that team break the 50 year curse of winning the regular season and even the semi-finals many times, and then failing to clinch a championship. The Estrellas only lost on Saturday, 19 January 2019, when Toros’ star pitcher Raul Valdes saved face for the Toros, winning the third game 13-2 on Saturday, 19 January.
The playoffs continue through 27 January and then the winning team will travel to Barquisimeto, Venezuela to play in the Caribbean Series from 2-8 February 2019.
Follow the tournament at: http://www.lidom.com/home/
President Medina blames deportees from US for increase in drug trafficking
Medina names Felix Alburqueque as DNCD director
Senator calls for police chief resignation
Ambassadors of Argentina, Colombia, France, Kuwait and South Africa present credentials
Ruben Jimenez Bichara says the CDEEE deficit for 2018 was US$665 million
Coraasan installs major water line in La Canela
Cost of new wharf in Puerto Plata will be on concessionaire
Avocados planted along the border with Haiti
Capital city government invests RD$100 million to solve rain drainage problems
Trucks ordered to stick to 70 kph limit and drive on the left
Record year for free zone exports
Scholarships to study government at Instituto José Francisco Peña Gómez
Improvised cemetery in Los Alcarrizos now has over 500 residents
Ownership willing to talk to labor on wage increase
Adriano Espaillat to House of Representatives Transport Committee
Human Rights Watch once again questions Dominican policies
Harper snowstorm grounds hundreds of travelers
Milagros German to host Soberano Awards
Million dollar insurance policy keeps Robinson Cano from playing here
Estrellas vs Toros: Will the Estrellas break the 50 year curse?
President Medina attends Our Lady of Altagracia mass
On Monday, 21 January 2019 President Danilo Medina was in the eastern city of Higuey for the celebration of the day of Our Lady of Altagracia. He accompanied thousands of pilgrims who travelled to the Roman Catholic Church’s Basilica de la Altagracia in Higuey to pray.
The media reported on the chaos outside the Basilica when the President arrived in time to participate in the 10am mass. Medina was accompanied by First Lady Cándida Montilla; Education Science and Technology Minister Alejandrina Germán; Defense Minister Rubén Darío Paulino Sem, Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo; Presidency Minister Gustavo Montalvo, and other government representatives.
In the gardens outside the church, many people came prepared with tents to camp out for a few days, and candles, food and clothes were all for sale in a temporary market.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...diciones-para-el-pais-en-dia-de-la-altagracia
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-congregan-desde-ayer-en-la-basilica-de-higey
President Medina blames deportees from US for increase in drug trafficking
President Danilo Medina acknowledged on Friday, 18 January 2019, as the nation began the Altagracia Day-long weekend, that drug trafficking has permeated the military and security agencies. Nevertheless, the President said the situation is not a threat to the country and that there is a constant struggle to fight the scourge given the criminal organizations that handle enormous amounts of money in all of Latin America.
"What is happening is that here there is already a quantity of drugs that remain circulating in the country as a result of the situation in which the drug traffickers, are not paying their workers in dollars, but rather with the drugs,” said the President. He explained that then the local dealers have to sell these drugs at the retail level to get paid.
“Anyone, today, even many white-collar people, are linked to the drug trade and drug trafficking has penetrated many areas of the Dominican Republic, including military and security areas," said Medina speaking after the presentation of credentials of new ambassadors in the country.
Medina then blamed the US rule that repatriates hundreds of convicted Dominican drug traffickers who then become local drug retailers. He said the country does not have a program to re-assimilate these persons into society. He said the Dominican Republic has gone from being a transshipment point for illegal drugs to being a nation where these narcotics are being sold on the streets of country.
"That is a problem of Dominican society that we have to see what we do with that amount of deported Dominicans who arrive every week from the United States. He said 80 criminals can arrive on a single flight in any week from the United States. “We have to learn to fight this new type of crime that is imported from the United States, that is affecting us too," he maintained. Nevertheless, he insisted that homicides in the country are down 15%.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/01...ue-narcotrafico-permea-varias-areas-del-pais/
Medina names Felix Alburqueque as DNCD director
President Danilo Medina issued Decree 39-19 to appoint Félix Alburquerque Comprés the new president of the National Drug Control Agency. The appointment came after the resignation on Friday, 18 January 2019, of former director, Major General José Eugenio Matos de la Cruz, following the murder of a highly respected police colonel in a controversial incident that recently occurred in southcentral city of Baní.
At the time of his appointment Alburquerque had served as deputy vice minister of Defense for naval and coastal matters. In his career he has served as deputy chief of the Navy, military security director at the Puerto Multimodal Caucedo, the largest in the country, deputy director of naval intelligence, director of investigations at the Migration Agency, among other important positions. He is a graduate of the Naval Academy and of International Policies at the UASD, the state university. A career Navy vice admiral, Alburquerque will turn 56 on 25 January 2019.
Matos de la Cruz has not explained the reason for his resignation. Yet, El Nacional reported that Matos de la Cruz had not accepted the imposition of his being subject to work under the coordination of the Public Ministry and state security agencies. Matos de la Cruz had been appointed in August 2018 and had maintained the position the DNCD should operate independence from other security organizations. As reported, the Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez assumed the control of the DNCD operations after the seizing of 1,000 kilos of cocaine at the Haina Port on 20 November 2019.
El Nacional reports that it is unlikely the country will now know the names of the military and anti-narcotic agents that were involved in the seizing of the 1,000 kilo shipment of cocaine at the port in November. Matos de la Cruz had said he would go public with the names of these persons.
Likewise, the country will neither have information on the results of the investigation regarding two pineapple vendors that died during a shootout at the Duarte Produce Market.
Following the murder of Police colonel in Baní, Peravia province senator Wilton Guerrero accused the authorities of complicity with the drug vendors in the province.
http://hoy.com.do/conozca-el-curriculum-de-felix-alburquerque-el-nuevo-presidente-de-la-dncd/
https://elnacional.com.do/pgr-asume-control-de-operativos-antidrogas/
https://elnacional.com.do/renuncia-...vicealmirante-felix-alburquerque-en-su-lugar/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...dimision-del-jefe-dncd-revive-otras-renuncias
Senator calls for police chief resignation
Peravia province senator, Wilton Guerrero, has said that the director of the National Police, Ney Aldrin Bautista, should resign as the director of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) has done. Senator Guerrero said that the resignation of Major General José Eugenio Matos de la Cruz, from the DNCD was a responsible decision and suggested the director of the National Police should do the same. The resignation happened following the shooting of a police colonel at a drug sales point in Bani.
Guerrero went on to say that in his opinion the director of the Police is the main senior person responsible for the levels of violence increasing to levels never seen before. Guerrero has argued many times that drug trafficking operations are ongoing with the complicity of state security forces.
Meanwhile, President Danilo Medina has appointed Vice Adminral Félix Alburquerque Comprés as the new president of the DNCD. It is not known why 56-year old Matos de la Cruz resigned, after only five months in charge of the DNCD.
http://eldia.com.do/wilton-guerrero-dice-director-de-la-policia-nacional-debe-renunciar-al-cargo/
Ambassadors of Argentina, Colombia, France, Kuwait and South Africa present credentials
President Danilo Medina received the letters of credence for the ambassadors of Argentina, Colombia, France, Kuwait and South Africa on Friday, 18 January 2019 at the Presidential Palace. Also present was Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado.
The new ambassadors are:
Argentina. Nora Elizabeth Capello, for this lawyer, it is her first ambassadorial position.
Colombia. Nohora Stella Tovar Rey, former senator and academic sector businesswoman.
Cuba. Milagros Karina Soto Agüero, former Cuban ambassador in Italy.
South Africa. Phaninga Pandit is a career diplomat who has served as ambassador in Venezuela, Colombia, among other countries. She has served as general manager for South African Broadcasting Corporation.
France: Didier Lopinot. A lawyer and career diplomat, Lopinot has been the French ambassador to Slovakia and Ecuador.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...ciales-nuevos-embajadores-de-francia-colombia
Ruben Jimenez Bichara says the CDEEE deficit for 2018 was US$665 million
The head of the state-owned Dominican Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), Ruben Jimenez Bichara says the entity had broken the US$500 million barrier of the company’s payment deficit in 2018, ending the year at US$665 million. The government had planned to transfer some US$425 million into the sector in 2018, but because of an increase in the cost of fuels, the government had to shell out another US$240 million.
Ever the defender of the government’s electricity sector, Jimenez Bichara said that once the country has access to less expensive electricity (read Punta Catalina’s 720 MW from coal-fired generators), the deficit will decrease significantly. Referring to Punta Catalina, the CDEEE boss said that by the end of February 2019, he expects to have the first Punta Catalina generated 200 MW on the national grid.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...or-electrico-fue-us-665-mm-en-2018-AN11855317
Coraasan installs major water line in La Canela
The Santiago Water and Sewer Corporation (CORAASAN) has begun the installation of a major improvement in the water supply for the people that live to the south of the Yaque River and to the west of the metropolis. The area of La Canela and the new “Juan Bosch City” development will have a steady water supply thanks to this RD$65 million investment by Coraasan.
Starting the project in Hatos del Yaque, Silvio Duran, the Coraasan director, said that it was a special interest of President Danilo Medina that his project provide water to the communities 24 hours a day. The 3.2 km line will bring water from the water treatment plant to the water tanks at Juan Bosch City.
https://elnacional.com.do/instalan-linea-de-impulsion-en-sector-santiago/
Cost of new wharf in Puerto Plata will be on concessionaire
The US$125 million cost of the complete restructuring of Puerto Plata bay for multiple usage will be covered by the concessionaire, Puerto Plata Post Investment, which won the public tender for the project. The basic idea is to convert the old Puerto Plata city port area into a center for import-export commerce.
The commercial name of the cruiseship port is Taino Bay. The company is supposed to build and repair three wharves: one for cruise ships; one for freight and one for fishermen.
Victor Gomez Casanova, the executive director for the Dominican Port Authority, emphasized the economic impact of the project. The public-private alliance covers the construction of a special wharf for commercial fishermen together with a series of collateral projects for the development of the port area.
According to Gomez Casanova, just in the first year, the project is supposed to serve some 600,000 cruise line passengers. According to the press release, the Taino Bay people have already sealed deals with four of the major cruise lines, and, again according to the Port Authority director, in the second year, the number of visitors is expected to reach one million. In the more immediate future, the construction project is expected to create some 6,500 jobs.
https://elcaribe.com.do/2019/01/17/...en-muelle-de-pp-correra-por-la-concesionaria/
Avocados planted along the border with Haiti
Some 20 kilometers of the border with Haiti are populated by avocado trees, as part of a huge agricultural venture that reaches into the shelves of Walmart. Over 70,000 tareas (422,000,000 m2) of land in the area of El Calimete in the impoverished province of Elias Piña has been planted with highly selected varieties of avocado (mostly Hass), and the company has another 30,000 tareas in in San Jose de Ocoa.
As reported in El Dia, the farm belongs to Manuel Castillo Pimentel and has become the largest employer along the border with some 1,600 workers, which allows both Dominicans and Haitians to remain in the area. Castillo Pimentel told reporters from El Dia that the trees begin life as seeds in nurseries in San Jose de Ocoa, and at a very early age they are grafted by experts with the Hass variety of avocados that is what Walmart and BJ’s request. There are 300 persons employed in Ocoa for this purpose.
The MACAPI nursery produces some 300,000 plants a year, mostly for the farm in Elias Piña. Every avocado harvested is sold. According to the report, the climate in El Calimete is similar to that of Constanza, at 1,700 meters above sea level.
The project has not been easy and the company has had to construct some 300 kilometers of roads, including parts of the International Highway. Given the size of the production and the very strict demands of their customers, the company had to open a packing facility in Mexico in order to keep up with the demand. Castillo Pimentel called this move “one of the most important decisions to achieve the market we now have.”
http://eldia.com.do/el-aguacate-un-guardian-fronterizo/
Capital city government invests RD$100 million to solve rain drainage problems
National District Mayor David Collado says that the city government has invested over RD$100 million in rain drainage solutions for the capital city in the two years and fourth months of his administration. He made the remark after giving the go ahead for the solution of rain drainage problems in Espaillat neighborhood in northern part of the city. The drainage problems had worsened with the construction of the Santo Domingo Metro line 2.
Among areas where rain drainage problems have been resolved under his administration is Ensanche Kennedy, and the barrios 24 de Abril, La Castellana, los kilometros de la Carretera Sanchez, and Cristo Rey.
http://hoy.com.do/cabildo-invierte-rd100-millones-drenaje/
Trucks ordered to stick to 70 kph limit and drive on the left
The Transit and Transport Security Agency (Digesett) reported that more than 260 cargo vehicles drivers were penalized on the first day of the implementation of Resolution No. 1-2019 that regulates cargo transport on roadways. The drivers were issued fines for driving in left lanes of multilane highways, excessive cargo loads, or speeding.
https://elnacional.com.do/digesett-...los-de-cargas-por-violar-disposicion-intrant/
Record year for free zone exports
The Dominican Association of Free Zones (Adozona) reported tax free manufacturing industries exported more than US$6 billion for the first time. This is an increase of 10% for 2018 over 2017. Exports in 2017 had peaked at US$5.6 billion, but in 2018, exports rounded off at US$6,252 million, up 9.8% over the previous year. The exports were shipped from 686 free zones located in 73 industrial parks nationwide. The free zones employ 170,000, up 5% compared to the previous year.
The president of the Dominican Association of Free Zones, Federico Domínguez Aristy, remarks: "Increasingly the free zone model continues to consolidate as the ideal formula to attract foreign investment, generate jobs and grow our exports that are generating foreign exchange and development for the country," said Dominguez Aristy.
He added: "Now the challenge is to continue strengthening the training programs of the free zone collaborators and technifying and diversifying our production to continue making the country one of the most attractive destinations in the continent for the installation of companies dedicated to manufacturing and global services ".
The Dominican Republic exports products to more than 135 countries, several of which have reached the category of world leaders.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/01...de-zonas-francas-pasaron-de-us6-mil-millones/
Scholarships to study government at Instituto José Francisco Peña Gómez
The Instituto de Formación Política Doctor José Francisco Peña Gómez is offering scholarships for aspiring politicians and government officers in the semester with classes starting on 25 February 2019. The institute has the backing of the Universidad Católica Santo Domingo. The scholarships are for the courses “Political and Government Management”, “Municipal Management”, “Making and Management of Social Projects,” and “Politics: History, Theory and Practices.”
The announcement was made by Yvelisse Prats-Ramirez de Pérez, academic director of the institute.
The Instituto JFPG is located at Av. Bolívar 199, La Esperilla, National District. Tels 809 732-9340 and email: institutojfpg1@gmail.com
Improvised cemetery in Los Alcarrizos now has over 500 residents
The lack of funds or perhaps many other reasons have brought about the creation of an un-official cemetery in Los Alcarrizos, in West Santo Domingo. Just one year ago, the first person was buried in the vacant lot that today holds the remains of 562 persons.
Lourdes Maria Hernandez, 82, had to be buried in the grounds that were once part of the State Sugar Council (CEA) after her family tried everything in order to have her interred in Cristo Redentor and Los Casabes cemeteries, as well as La Cuaba, Manoguayabo and others where allegedly there was a lack of space or some RD$10,000 were required.
Community leaders came together and formed a Patronage or Sponsorship to lead the fight to create the Los Alcarrizos Municipal Cemetery. They have obtained topographical studies of the area, and the area has been divided into sections where families arrive on a daily basis to bury their loved ones.
Don Carlos Lora, one of the promoters of the idea of the municipal cemetery, told reporters from the Diario Libre that they have worked for over a year to obtain the 400,000m2 of land needed for the park. The interments are carried out in accordance with the law: three copies of the Death Certificate, a copy of the deceased person’s ID (cédula) as well as one of the persons representing the deceased and the persons are encouraged to go to the Central Electoral Board and follow their procedures.
The governmental authorities have not declared this to be an “official” cemetery because of legal issues with the property owners.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...lcarrizos-alberga-ya-562-cadaveres-KN11855971
Ownership willing to talk to labor on wage increase
The business sector is willing to take part in the tripartite talks when the National Salary Committee convenes the parties to revise salaries in the country this year. However, the executive vice-president of the National Business Council (CONEP), Cesar Dargam, pointed out that by no means can attention be distracted from the “urgent need” for the amendments to the Labor Code, which is currently 27 years old.
He told reporters from the Diario Libre: “As you know, there is a National Salary Committee that meets every two years, and they are supposed to meet this year, and we are most willing to take part in the talks and to discuss what the conditions will be.”
He noted that the current Labor Code has been in effect for 27 years and that this is a different world, with robotics and many different ways of working. He said that there should be a salary adjustment, but the conditions for such an adjustment must be studied.
He said that nobody wants a worker who is not happy, who is without a safety net or health insurance, because this is reflected in the productivity. Dargam spoke in these terms after the head of one of the major labor syndicates, the Autonomous Classist, Syndicate Confederation (CASC), Gabriel del Rio Done, called for a minimum wage of RD$20,000 and included pensioners who were currently receiving RD$5,100. Both men spoke during the release of the report titled “Dominican Syndicate Agenda” and effort supported by the European Union.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...-a-dialogar-sobre-aumento-salarial-AO11862165
Adriano Espaillat to House of Representatives Transport Committee
Dominican-born New York Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) was appointed to serve on the influential House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Espaillat has consistently given priority to transportation and transit in his work for New York. He has called transportation and transit “the lifeblood of our city.”
In this position, Espaillat will have jurisdiction over the agencies, programs that finance and regulate transportation, including national public transport, railroad, highway, bridges and other transportation systems.
In his first remarks after the appointment, he highlighted that New York has the largest public transport system in the United States.
https://elnacional.com.do/camara-eu-designa-a-espaillat/
Human Rights Watch once again questions Dominican policies
The 2019 World Report by the Human Rights Watch does not even have a separate report on the Dominican Republic. In fact the Dominican Republic is only mentioned in regards to the handling of Haitian immigration and migratory status.
The report says that at least 250,000 Dominicans of Haitian descent and Haitian migrants working in the Dominican Republic re-entered Haiti between June 2015 and March 2018, after Dominican officials began deportations in accordance with a controversial 2015 Plan for the Regularization of Foreigners in the Dominican Republic. Many deportations did not meet international standards and many people have been swept up in arbitrary, summary deportations without any sort of hearing.
In addition to those deported, many people left the Dominican Republic under pressure or threat. Of more than 6,000 under investigation, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has verified legitimate Dominican nationality for more than 2,800 individuals now in Haiti. During the first six months of 2018 alone, nearly 70,000 Haitians were returned to their country. After being renewed three times, the Plan for the Regularization of Foreigners ended in August 2018, leaving more than 200,000 Haitians who remain in the Dominican Republic without valid paperwork at continued risk of deportation.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...estionar-politica-migratoria-local-HO11868087
https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019
Harper snowstorm grounds hundreds of travelers
Hundreds of travelers have been affected by cancellations of flights on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (18-20 January 2019) to northeastern United States. Airlines serving the area are issuing change-fee waivers for the travelers, including JetBlue. JetBlue is the carrier serving the Dominican Republic. Reports are that travelers that needed to get back have rebooked their flights to arrive to Miami and then connect to the northeastern destination.
The cancellations, nevertheless, have also affected most northern geographical areas in the US and traveler connections. Travelers are recommended to check with the airline, prior to leaving for the airport to see if they will need to rebook. The area is affected by the passing of snowstorm Harper that as of Saturday, 19 January 2019 caused at least five deaths, thousands of flights cancelled and hundreds of vehicle crashes.
Reports are that the storm’s biggest impact on air travel were over the weekend with a mix of snow, ice, rain and wind moving across the airports serving New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington and Baltimore.
The airlines serving the area explain that flight cancellations seem likely to push into thousands if the current weather forecasts hold. Flights affected are operated by United, JetBlue, Air Canada, American, Delta, and many other airlines. As reported in the US press, airlines have cancelled more than 2,000 flights from the Midwest to New England.
US travelers are also beginning to be affected by the US government shutdown that has TSA, FAA and customs and Border Protection officers working without pay at many airports.
Flights to Europe, South America and the Caribbean are not affected by bad weather and operated normally, reports Las Americas International Airports.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/trav...n-winter-storm-harper-strengthens/2612919002/
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/18/win...s-waive-change-fees-ahead-of-bad-weather.html
https://weather.com/news/news/2019-01-20-winter-storm-harper-impacts-midwest-northeast
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...en-el-aila-por-cancelacion-de-vuelos-hacia-ny
Milagros German to host Soberano Awards
Dominican TV’s star Milagros German (La Diva) was named to be the host of the 2019 Soberano Awards, the leading awards ceremony in the Dominican entertainment industry. The awards are scheduled for Tuesday, 19 March 2019 at the National Theater in Santo Domingo. German had hosted the show 15 years ago in 2004.
In accepting the responsibility she expressed her gratitude to the Asociación de Cronistas de Arte (Acroarte), the local show business chroniclers association, and to the Cervecería Nacional Dominicana (CND), the Presidente beer brewery, and ceremony producer Alberto Zayas for the appointment.
http://eldia.com.do/milagros-german-al-soberano-despues-de-15-anos/
Million-dollar insurance policy keeps Robinson Cano from playing here
The New York Mets demanded an insurance policy that would cover the US$118 million remaining on the contract of the All Star infielder of the Mets. According to Jose Mallen Calac, the general manager of the Estrellas Orientales, the league leaders in both the regular and round-robin series of this year’s professional baseball tournament, Mets owner Fred Wilpon said that Cano could play for the Estrellas but the club would have to take out an insurance policy to cover the millions of dollars the Major League club would lose if he got hurt.
Mallen told reporters that Cano had done everything he could to get permission to play but the Big League club was not too happy with this and required the insurance policy.
Years ago, 2014-2015, Robinson Cano played for the Estrellas in the finals series against the Gigantes del Cibao. The sad part is that by signing with the Mets, Cano could not deliver on a promise he made last summer to join his Estrellas team and help it win their first title in over 50 years.
https://www.diariolibre.com/deporte...guro-saca-a-cano-de-jugar-la-final-BO11861374
Estrellas vs Toros: Will the Estrellas break the 50 year curse?
The Estrellas are leading in the winter baseball playoffs. The Estrellas pulled off an important third win in the 9-5 playoff series against the Toros del Este over the Altagracia Day long weekend.
The Estrellas now have three victories to one loss. The Toros have only won one game as the teams that represent the southeast of the Dominican Republic battle it out for the 2018-2019 Dominican Professional Baseball Championship.
With probably only the exception of Toros fans, for the most part, the Estrellas have the goodwill of Dominican baseball fans that want to see that team break the 50 year curse of winning the regular season and even the semi-finals many times, and then failing to clinch a championship. The Estrellas only lost on Saturday, 19 January 2019, when Toros’ star pitcher Raul Valdes saved face for the Toros, winning the third game 13-2 on Saturday, 19 January.
The playoffs continue through 27 January and then the winning team will travel to Barquisimeto, Venezuela to play in the Caribbean Series from 2-8 February 2019.
Follow the tournament at: http://www.lidom.com/home/