Spanish President Pedro Sánchez visits
New heliports to be built
911 system to be expanded
Government to build 100 apartments for low-income families in Puerto Plata
Driving license issue increases
New Customs system requires courier users to register
Major company taken to court for evading taxes
Corruption index published, DR stagnated in bottom third
Bachata singer Yoskar Sarante dies
Most inmates are convicted of homicide
Italian jazz at the Dominican Fiesta with Sandro Comini
Tribute concert to Juan Luis Guerra in Santiago
Aladdin musical at the Teatro Nacional
Spanish President Pedro Sánchez visits
In Santo Domingo for a one-day visit, Spanish President Pedro Sanchez signed two international agreements with President Danilo Medina at the Presidential Palace on 29 January 2019. This is the first visit of a Spanish President in 23 years.
The agreements were Marco de Asociación País (Map) that defines the guidelines for the Spanish cooperation agency, Cooperación Española, in the Dominican Republic in coming years, in support of the National Development Strategy. The second agreement is a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of a joint work task for the promotion of commerce, investments and productive linkages.
Sanchez later participated in a luncheon with his 20-member committee and the Dominican government cabinet members at the Presidential Palace. Then he visited the Parque Independencia to honor the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic. While in the area, he toured the Colonial City where funds from the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) have been used for the renovation works.
President Sanchez visited Santo Domingo for the closing of the Socialist International council that met in Santo Domingo 28-29 January 2019. His party, the Partido Obrero Español and the PRD that is presided by Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas in the Dominican Republic, are their country representatives in the socialist coalition. In his closing words he said that socialists are those who defend liberty and equality. He expressed his backing to the democracy aspirations in Venezuela and Nicaragua.
In the evening of his visit, Sánchez met with the Spanish community at the residence of the Spanish ambassador.
On Wednesday, 30 January, he leaves for Mexico for a two-day visit.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...n-una-relacion-cada-vez-mas-amplia-y-profunda
http://www.lacerca.com/videos/actualidad/internacional-socialista-republica-dominicana-25831.html
New heliports to be built
According to the director of the Airport Authority, Marino Collante, during this year they are proposing to build two new heliports, one in Santo Domingo East and the other in Barahona.
The one in Santo Domingo East will be on the Caribbean Sea coastline-fronting Avenida España near the National Aquarium. This would facilitate helicopter tours to the area where the Columbus Lighthouse and Los Tres Ojos cave site are located close to each other. The heliport is also near the Dario Contreras Trauma Hospital, the leading trauma public hospital in Greater Santo Domingo.
Collante said that the plans for the heliport are nearly ready to be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment. He said Santo Domingo East Alfredo Martinez has given them a permission of No Objection to the work. Pending is the approval of the Santo Domingo East mayoralty board of councillors in order to comply with the municipal law.
In 2018, the Airport Authority inaugurated a heliport on Autopista 30 de Mayo on the western side of the sea-fronting Malecón Avenue, in the National District. The National District heliport has a modern terminal and offices and cost a little over RD$45 million. The Santo Domingo East heliport is expected to cost less.
The Airport Authority also explained that a heliport would be built on the on the Maria Montez promenade in Barahona city, also facing the Caribbean Sea. Collante said that land is being sought in Santiago for a further heliport.
Collante said that the terminals will be built with their own resources and that the design of each one will match the modern standards of quality for this type of heliport.
The Airport Authority says they have a registry of 72 helicopters. Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo is the owner of the largest helicopter company, Helidosa.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...rca-del-acuario-y-otro-en-barahona-PN11945082
911 system to be expanded
Presidency Minister Gustavo Montalvo, who heads the 911 National System of Attention to Emergencies and Safety 911, announced plans to expand the system to 10 new provinces and 38 municipalities in 2019. This would bring almost total coverage of the service nationwide.
He also announced that the People’s Republic of China had donated 40 fire trucks that would begin to arrive next week and are part of agreements signed during President Danilo Medina’s visit to Beijing in November 2019.
He also presented a plan drawn up by the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel), the National Police and the Attorney General’s Office with a strategy to fight the irregular activation of cell phones.
The meeting was held at the 911 Head Office and included Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez; Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance, Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas; National Police director, Ney Aldrin Bautista; the president of Indotel, among others.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...ntempla-expandirse-a-10-provincias-CN11942055
Government to build 100 apartments for low-income families in Puerto Plata
With an unknown amount of money, central government via the National Housing Institute (INVI) has begun the construction of a housing project to benefit 100 families in Puerto Plata. The location is on former sugar cane land in Villa Esperanza, Puerto Plata on the road to Sosua from Puerto Plata city.
Seventeen 3-floor buildings with 100 apartments of 65 square meters will be built, according to INVI director, Mayobanex Escoto. Escoto said the construction is part of the government plan to build low cost housing in joint actions with the private sector to reduce the housing deficit.
He thanked the collaboration of the State Sugar Board (CEA) for the donation of the land to build the project which will be known as Villa Esperanza Montellano. He said that those interested in having an apartment should contact INVI to begin the application process.
At the ground-breaking ceremony were the Deputy Felix Castillo, director of the CEA, Pedro Mota; governor, Iván Rivera; mayors of the municipalities of Montellano and San Felipe de Puerto Plata, Héctor Rojas Padilla (Chino) and Walter Musa Meyreles, among other distinguished guests and officials.
In 2015, the media reported on the construction of 250 single home dwellings for undocumented Haitians in Villa Esperanza by the Canadian organization, Fundacion El Samaritano.
http://eldia.com.do/gobierno-dispon...ra-beneficiar-a-100-familias-de-puerto-plata/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...rrio-para-haitianos-indocumentados-HFDL949691
Driving license issue increases
According to a press release from the National Institute of Ground Transit and Transport (Intrant), half a million Dominicans have obtained a driving licence and a learner’s permit during the past year.
The Intrant press release explains that from November 2017 to December 2018 more than 13,000 licences were renewed having expired for over three years. Of those, 8,665 were in Greater Santo Domingo, 3,600 in Santiago, 315 in Puerto Plata, 162 in San Francisco de Macoris, 141 in Azua; 63 Barahona; 43 in Higüey; 32 La Vega; 18 La Romana; 11 Valverde, Mao; 6 Nagua and 2 in San Juan de la Maguana.
Of the new licenses issued, 133,340 were for learner permits issued to new drivers.
This 2019, Intrant will continue to operate mobile units to facilitate the issuing and renewal of driving licences.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ia-de-conducir-el-pasado-ano-13-mil-renovaron
New Customs system requires courier users to register
The Customs’ Agency (DGA) has begun the process of the Unique Customs Registration (RUA) for all of those who use courier services in the Dominican Republic. The DGA explains the system is implemented as a tool to safeguard the rights of users and speed up online goods imports, says the agency.
The system seeks to differentiate those who use the US$200 tax exemption authorized for online purchases for commercial reasons and those who are purchasing for themselves.
RUA was set up in February 2018 and means that the user has to complete their information on the DGA website and state what purpose the goods are for, commercial use, personal use or for someone in the family.
Since Monday 28 January there is a six-month timeframe for users to register and if not done by 28 July 2019, their goods will be retained until they have completed the process.
The DGA has said that the RUA is not necessary for those using international express transport companies.
The RUA can be found at:
https://www.aduanas.gob.do/de-interés/consultas/registro-courier/
https://www.aduanas.gob.do/noticias/aduanas-inicia-el-registro-único-aduanero/
Major company taken to court for evading taxes
Judge Jose Alejandro Vargas will be hearing the DGII case against Tremols Payero business group. The DGII has taken the business conglomerate to court for RD$4.13 billion in unpaid taxes that has now grown to a DGII debt of RD$9.32 billion, including interest. The DGII accuses the company of intimidating DGII employees and having offered them US$5 million as a bribe along with RD$50 million and a plot of land as payment for the fraud they are accused of.
The group, which has been operating in the country since 2009 selling alcohol for human consumption, focused on the tourist market, where they marketed Royal liqueurs and Tremols rum to all-inclusive hotels.
Sources linked to the investigation, identify the Tremols case as one of the biggest illegal operations detected in alcoholic beverage sales in the Dominican Republic.
According to the inspection of their accounts by the Tax Agency, starting in 2012, the company operations set up a mafia-kind network to evade paying taxes. The illicit operation allegedly laundered money as well. Authorities have collected evidence of tax evasion from 2012 to 2016.
According to the investigation by the DGII, the Tremols Payero group practically controlled alcoholic beverage sales at all-inclusive hotels. This included the operation of clandestine alcohol-making factories and illegal sales of cigarettes. At least two businesses per month have since been closed in the cities of La Vega, Higuey, Moca and Santo Domingo.
Following the investigations, of the three distilleries Tremols Payero operated, one has been shuttered while another one has been seized by authorities. The Tremols Payero group executives are accused of conspiracy and clandestine trade in taxable products, perjury or falsehoods in sworn statements, tax fraud, falsehoods in trade deeds and use of false trade writing, fraud, money laundering and association of criminals. The tax fraud was said to have been committed from 2010 to 2017 through several affiliated companies. The tax fraud is quantified at RD$707 million in ITBIS tax evasion, RD$1.037 million in Income Tax evasion, and RD$2.384 million in Selective Luxury Tax evasion.
The mafia operation was so ensconced that the DGII decided to shut down two entire departments within the tax agency itself, including the Department of Alcohol. Nearly 300 employees of the DGII are suspected of being involved in the fraud.
So far, thirteen people have been charged, including the two children of Ramon Tremols who were at the forefront of the business. They are currently in Switzerland and it appears that the key players are abroad as some of their loans were guaranteed by foreign credit cards.
The accused are: the Tremols Payero brothers, Ramón Rafael Tremols, Eddy Samuel, Leonardo Antonio, Hervys Rafael and Daniel de Jesús. Also Rafael Alberto Tremols Acosta, Eduardo de Jesús Tremols Cruz, Carmen Adela Tremols Cruz, Maritselly Cruz López, Néstor López Alcantara, Waskar Alberto González Payero and Doris Alexandra López Urbaez, among others.
The companies that were investigated for the case include: Suplidores Generales Dominicanos (Supligedom), Licores y Bebidas del País (Libepa), Bodegas Iberia, Dominican Hotel Register Company (Doterco), Licores y Bebidas Dominicanas (Libedom), Constructora Aspen, Inmobiliaria E.J.T and Licores Royal.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2019/01/29/551260/mafia-intimida-a-dgii-tras-fraude-fiscal
https://elnacional.com.do/fraude-por-4127-millones-se-lleva-300-empleados-dgii/
https://noticiassin.com/detienen-en-fiscalia-del-dn-cinco-ejecutivos-de-la-empresa-tremols-payero/
Corruption index published, DR stagnated in bottom third
The 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published on 29 January 2019, by Transparency International shows the Dominican Republic improved one point, moving from 29 to 30 in the ranking. The DR is in 129th position and is listed 23rd of 31 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. This places the country in the bottom third of the most corrupt, well below the average score that is only 43. In the Americas, the DR only ranked higher than Bolivia, Honduras, Paraguay, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Haiti and Venezuela.
The overall conclusions of the report are not good. Overall the CPI 2018 shows anti-corruption efforts have stalled in most countries. The 2018 CPI draws on 13 surveys and expert assessments to measure public sector corruption in 180 countries and territories, giving each a score from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). More than two-thirds of countries score below 50, with the average score of only 43.
Transparency International explains that the cross analysis with global democracy data reveals a link between corruption and the health of democracies. Full democracies score an average of 75 on the CPI; flawed democracies score an average of 49; hybrid regimes – which show elements of autocratic tendencies – score 35; autocratic regimes perform worst, with an average score of just 30 on the CPI.
https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/cpi-2018-regional-analysis-americas
https://www.transparency.org/cpi2018
Bachata singer Yoskar Sarante dies
On Monday, 28 January 2019, the Dominican bachata singer Yoskar Sarante died in a hospital in Orlando, Florida from pulmonary fibrosis. Hours beforehand, his son, Darling Sarante had informed via social media that his father was in a serious condition and asked his fans to pray for him. He said that God had saved his life twice, when the doctors had told them to practically prepare his funeral, but he had not died and expressed hope that this time would be not be the exception. In 2004, Sarante had survived encephalitis.
Sarante was 48 years old when he died and was one of the most popular bachata singers in the country.
The wake will be at the Funeraria Blandino on Av. Abraham Lincoln, but the date has yet to be established.
Listen to his music at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSLXVkJDBgY
https://www.last.fm/es/music/Yoskar+Sarante/+wiki
https://listindiario.com/entretenimiento/2019/01/29/551308/fallece-el-bachatero-yoskar-sarante
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/01/29/gente/a-y-e/restos-de-yoskar-sarante-seran-velados-en-rd/
Most inmates are convicted of homicide
According to a report on the inmates in jail in the Dominican Republic, homicide is the main crime committed by those interned in the 22 new model prisons.
The statistics show that of the 9,069 inmates in the new jails, 2,861 have been convicted of murder. 91 of them for aggravated homicide, 43 for femicide and seven for infanticide for a total of 3,002 inmates for the different classes of homicide and the vast majority being males.
In second position are drug possession and sales crimes with 1,565 and in third place with 1,500 is robbery.
Domestic violence is increasing with 844 accused of that crime and 707 for rape. There are 284 jailed for fighting and injuring, 244 for criminal association and attacking of minors has 208.
Other crimes account for 91 inmates including cheque fraud, violation of the military code, defamation, abortion, cheating, breaking the law on closed hunting or fishing seasons, threats and environmental issues, each with less than 10 cases.
The old prison system is still in operation in 19 centers with 17,003 inmates compared to 9,129 in the new system for a total of 26,132 inmates.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...clusos-por-homicidio-son-2861-en-nuevo-modelo
Italian jazz at the Dominican Fiesta with Sandro Comini
Renown Italian trombone player, Sandro Comini will be at the Fiesta Sunset Jazz of the Dominican Fiesta Hotel on Friday, 1 February 2019. Comini plays a classic trombone style (JJ Johnson, Bill Watrous). He will be accompanied by Corey Allen (piano), Pengbian Sang (bass) and Guy Frometa (drums). The musicians will deliver a repertoire of jazz and swing songs in his style that has kept him a leading performer in his native Italy.
The rooftop nightclub presents jazz musicians every Friday as of 8:30pm.
Listen to Comini’s music at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5bkHU-79GE
https://www.facebook.com/events/776580062708456
Tribute concert to Juan Luis Guerra in Santiago
José Luis Freitas presents the songs of his Rock de Guerra album, a tribute to Juan Luis Guerra. The album has received praise from critics for its versions of Visa para un Sueño, Tus Besos or Señales de Humo, a duo with Patricia Pereyra.
The concert is booked for Wednesday, 30 January 2019, at the Julio Alberto Hernández hall of the Gran Teatro del Cibao, He will be accompanied by four musicians, and guest singers Rose Mateo and Chino Sing.
https://listindiario.com/entretenimiento/2019/01/28/551121/freitas-hara-concierto-de-rock
Listen to his music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSQgdsYLTkU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POOFAgpCDwI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFidUfnCgPE
Aladdin musical at the Teatro Nacional
Alina Abreu and Producciones FA present the Broadway-style musical “Aladino y el Genio de la Lampara”, the Dominican version of the classic story of Aladdin. The presentation is scheduled for 8, 9 and 10 February 2019.
The Dominican version is an original with the story revolving around a tropical Aladdin. Alina Abreu says the Dominican version of the story will captivate audiences all over the world. Abreu is responsible for the choreography and the theatrical direction is by Maria del mar and Ana Rivas.
The story and songs written by Frank Ceara. Luichy Guzman is responsible for the musical arrangements. Jose Julio Sanchez plays Aladdin and Maria Jesus Vargas and Paloma Rodriguez play Princess Nazira. Irving Alberti has the role of the genius and Kenny Grullon plays the role of the Sultan. Tickets are for sale at the National Theater box office and online at Uepa Tickets.
New heliports to be built
911 system to be expanded
Government to build 100 apartments for low-income families in Puerto Plata
Driving license issue increases
New Customs system requires courier users to register
Major company taken to court for evading taxes
Corruption index published, DR stagnated in bottom third
Bachata singer Yoskar Sarante dies
Most inmates are convicted of homicide
Italian jazz at the Dominican Fiesta with Sandro Comini
Tribute concert to Juan Luis Guerra in Santiago
Aladdin musical at the Teatro Nacional
Spanish President Pedro Sánchez visits
In Santo Domingo for a one-day visit, Spanish President Pedro Sanchez signed two international agreements with President Danilo Medina at the Presidential Palace on 29 January 2019. This is the first visit of a Spanish President in 23 years.
The agreements were Marco de Asociación País (Map) that defines the guidelines for the Spanish cooperation agency, Cooperación Española, in the Dominican Republic in coming years, in support of the National Development Strategy. The second agreement is a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of a joint work task for the promotion of commerce, investments and productive linkages.
Sanchez later participated in a luncheon with his 20-member committee and the Dominican government cabinet members at the Presidential Palace. Then he visited the Parque Independencia to honor the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic. While in the area, he toured the Colonial City where funds from the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) have been used for the renovation works.
President Sanchez visited Santo Domingo for the closing of the Socialist International council that met in Santo Domingo 28-29 January 2019. His party, the Partido Obrero Español and the PRD that is presided by Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas in the Dominican Republic, are their country representatives in the socialist coalition. In his closing words he said that socialists are those who defend liberty and equality. He expressed his backing to the democracy aspirations in Venezuela and Nicaragua.
In the evening of his visit, Sánchez met with the Spanish community at the residence of the Spanish ambassador.
On Wednesday, 30 January, he leaves for Mexico for a two-day visit.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...n-una-relacion-cada-vez-mas-amplia-y-profunda
http://www.lacerca.com/videos/actualidad/internacional-socialista-republica-dominicana-25831.html
New heliports to be built
According to the director of the Airport Authority, Marino Collante, during this year they are proposing to build two new heliports, one in Santo Domingo East and the other in Barahona.
The one in Santo Domingo East will be on the Caribbean Sea coastline-fronting Avenida España near the National Aquarium. This would facilitate helicopter tours to the area where the Columbus Lighthouse and Los Tres Ojos cave site are located close to each other. The heliport is also near the Dario Contreras Trauma Hospital, the leading trauma public hospital in Greater Santo Domingo.
Collante said that the plans for the heliport are nearly ready to be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment. He said Santo Domingo East Alfredo Martinez has given them a permission of No Objection to the work. Pending is the approval of the Santo Domingo East mayoralty board of councillors in order to comply with the municipal law.
In 2018, the Airport Authority inaugurated a heliport on Autopista 30 de Mayo on the western side of the sea-fronting Malecón Avenue, in the National District. The National District heliport has a modern terminal and offices and cost a little over RD$45 million. The Santo Domingo East heliport is expected to cost less.
The Airport Authority also explained that a heliport would be built on the on the Maria Montez promenade in Barahona city, also facing the Caribbean Sea. Collante said that land is being sought in Santiago for a further heliport.
Collante said that the terminals will be built with their own resources and that the design of each one will match the modern standards of quality for this type of heliport.
The Airport Authority says they have a registry of 72 helicopters. Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo is the owner of the largest helicopter company, Helidosa.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...rca-del-acuario-y-otro-en-barahona-PN11945082
911 system to be expanded
Presidency Minister Gustavo Montalvo, who heads the 911 National System of Attention to Emergencies and Safety 911, announced plans to expand the system to 10 new provinces and 38 municipalities in 2019. This would bring almost total coverage of the service nationwide.
He also announced that the People’s Republic of China had donated 40 fire trucks that would begin to arrive next week and are part of agreements signed during President Danilo Medina’s visit to Beijing in November 2019.
He also presented a plan drawn up by the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel), the National Police and the Attorney General’s Office with a strategy to fight the irregular activation of cell phones.
The meeting was held at the 911 Head Office and included Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez; Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance, Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas; National Police director, Ney Aldrin Bautista; the president of Indotel, among others.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...ntempla-expandirse-a-10-provincias-CN11942055
Government to build 100 apartments for low-income families in Puerto Plata
With an unknown amount of money, central government via the National Housing Institute (INVI) has begun the construction of a housing project to benefit 100 families in Puerto Plata. The location is on former sugar cane land in Villa Esperanza, Puerto Plata on the road to Sosua from Puerto Plata city.
Seventeen 3-floor buildings with 100 apartments of 65 square meters will be built, according to INVI director, Mayobanex Escoto. Escoto said the construction is part of the government plan to build low cost housing in joint actions with the private sector to reduce the housing deficit.
He thanked the collaboration of the State Sugar Board (CEA) for the donation of the land to build the project which will be known as Villa Esperanza Montellano. He said that those interested in having an apartment should contact INVI to begin the application process.
At the ground-breaking ceremony were the Deputy Felix Castillo, director of the CEA, Pedro Mota; governor, Iván Rivera; mayors of the municipalities of Montellano and San Felipe de Puerto Plata, Héctor Rojas Padilla (Chino) and Walter Musa Meyreles, among other distinguished guests and officials.
In 2015, the media reported on the construction of 250 single home dwellings for undocumented Haitians in Villa Esperanza by the Canadian organization, Fundacion El Samaritano.
http://eldia.com.do/gobierno-dispon...ra-beneficiar-a-100-familias-de-puerto-plata/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...rrio-para-haitianos-indocumentados-HFDL949691
Driving license issue increases
According to a press release from the National Institute of Ground Transit and Transport (Intrant), half a million Dominicans have obtained a driving licence and a learner’s permit during the past year.
The Intrant press release explains that from November 2017 to December 2018 more than 13,000 licences were renewed having expired for over three years. Of those, 8,665 were in Greater Santo Domingo, 3,600 in Santiago, 315 in Puerto Plata, 162 in San Francisco de Macoris, 141 in Azua; 63 Barahona; 43 in Higüey; 32 La Vega; 18 La Romana; 11 Valverde, Mao; 6 Nagua and 2 in San Juan de la Maguana.
Of the new licenses issued, 133,340 were for learner permits issued to new drivers.
This 2019, Intrant will continue to operate mobile units to facilitate the issuing and renewal of driving licences.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ia-de-conducir-el-pasado-ano-13-mil-renovaron
New Customs system requires courier users to register
The Customs’ Agency (DGA) has begun the process of the Unique Customs Registration (RUA) for all of those who use courier services in the Dominican Republic. The DGA explains the system is implemented as a tool to safeguard the rights of users and speed up online goods imports, says the agency.
The system seeks to differentiate those who use the US$200 tax exemption authorized for online purchases for commercial reasons and those who are purchasing for themselves.
RUA was set up in February 2018 and means that the user has to complete their information on the DGA website and state what purpose the goods are for, commercial use, personal use or for someone in the family.
Since Monday 28 January there is a six-month timeframe for users to register and if not done by 28 July 2019, their goods will be retained until they have completed the process.
The DGA has said that the RUA is not necessary for those using international express transport companies.
The RUA can be found at:
https://www.aduanas.gob.do/de-interés/consultas/registro-courier/
https://www.aduanas.gob.do/noticias/aduanas-inicia-el-registro-único-aduanero/
Major company taken to court for evading taxes
Judge Jose Alejandro Vargas will be hearing the DGII case against Tremols Payero business group. The DGII has taken the business conglomerate to court for RD$4.13 billion in unpaid taxes that has now grown to a DGII debt of RD$9.32 billion, including interest. The DGII accuses the company of intimidating DGII employees and having offered them US$5 million as a bribe along with RD$50 million and a plot of land as payment for the fraud they are accused of.
The group, which has been operating in the country since 2009 selling alcohol for human consumption, focused on the tourist market, where they marketed Royal liqueurs and Tremols rum to all-inclusive hotels.
Sources linked to the investigation, identify the Tremols case as one of the biggest illegal operations detected in alcoholic beverage sales in the Dominican Republic.
According to the inspection of their accounts by the Tax Agency, starting in 2012, the company operations set up a mafia-kind network to evade paying taxes. The illicit operation allegedly laundered money as well. Authorities have collected evidence of tax evasion from 2012 to 2016.
According to the investigation by the DGII, the Tremols Payero group practically controlled alcoholic beverage sales at all-inclusive hotels. This included the operation of clandestine alcohol-making factories and illegal sales of cigarettes. At least two businesses per month have since been closed in the cities of La Vega, Higuey, Moca and Santo Domingo.
Following the investigations, of the three distilleries Tremols Payero operated, one has been shuttered while another one has been seized by authorities. The Tremols Payero group executives are accused of conspiracy and clandestine trade in taxable products, perjury or falsehoods in sworn statements, tax fraud, falsehoods in trade deeds and use of false trade writing, fraud, money laundering and association of criminals. The tax fraud was said to have been committed from 2010 to 2017 through several affiliated companies. The tax fraud is quantified at RD$707 million in ITBIS tax evasion, RD$1.037 million in Income Tax evasion, and RD$2.384 million in Selective Luxury Tax evasion.
The mafia operation was so ensconced that the DGII decided to shut down two entire departments within the tax agency itself, including the Department of Alcohol. Nearly 300 employees of the DGII are suspected of being involved in the fraud.
So far, thirteen people have been charged, including the two children of Ramon Tremols who were at the forefront of the business. They are currently in Switzerland and it appears that the key players are abroad as some of their loans were guaranteed by foreign credit cards.
The accused are: the Tremols Payero brothers, Ramón Rafael Tremols, Eddy Samuel, Leonardo Antonio, Hervys Rafael and Daniel de Jesús. Also Rafael Alberto Tremols Acosta, Eduardo de Jesús Tremols Cruz, Carmen Adela Tremols Cruz, Maritselly Cruz López, Néstor López Alcantara, Waskar Alberto González Payero and Doris Alexandra López Urbaez, among others.
The companies that were investigated for the case include: Suplidores Generales Dominicanos (Supligedom), Licores y Bebidas del País (Libepa), Bodegas Iberia, Dominican Hotel Register Company (Doterco), Licores y Bebidas Dominicanas (Libedom), Constructora Aspen, Inmobiliaria E.J.T and Licores Royal.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2019/01/29/551260/mafia-intimida-a-dgii-tras-fraude-fiscal
https://elnacional.com.do/fraude-por-4127-millones-se-lleva-300-empleados-dgii/
https://noticiassin.com/detienen-en-fiscalia-del-dn-cinco-ejecutivos-de-la-empresa-tremols-payero/
Corruption index published, DR stagnated in bottom third
The 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published on 29 January 2019, by Transparency International shows the Dominican Republic improved one point, moving from 29 to 30 in the ranking. The DR is in 129th position and is listed 23rd of 31 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. This places the country in the bottom third of the most corrupt, well below the average score that is only 43. In the Americas, the DR only ranked higher than Bolivia, Honduras, Paraguay, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Haiti and Venezuela.
The overall conclusions of the report are not good. Overall the CPI 2018 shows anti-corruption efforts have stalled in most countries. The 2018 CPI draws on 13 surveys and expert assessments to measure public sector corruption in 180 countries and territories, giving each a score from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). More than two-thirds of countries score below 50, with the average score of only 43.
Transparency International explains that the cross analysis with global democracy data reveals a link between corruption and the health of democracies. Full democracies score an average of 75 on the CPI; flawed democracies score an average of 49; hybrid regimes – which show elements of autocratic tendencies – score 35; autocratic regimes perform worst, with an average score of just 30 on the CPI.
https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/cpi-2018-regional-analysis-americas
https://www.transparency.org/cpi2018
Bachata singer Yoskar Sarante dies
On Monday, 28 January 2019, the Dominican bachata singer Yoskar Sarante died in a hospital in Orlando, Florida from pulmonary fibrosis. Hours beforehand, his son, Darling Sarante had informed via social media that his father was in a serious condition and asked his fans to pray for him. He said that God had saved his life twice, when the doctors had told them to practically prepare his funeral, but he had not died and expressed hope that this time would be not be the exception. In 2004, Sarante had survived encephalitis.
Sarante was 48 years old when he died and was one of the most popular bachata singers in the country.
The wake will be at the Funeraria Blandino on Av. Abraham Lincoln, but the date has yet to be established.
Listen to his music at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSLXVkJDBgY
https://www.last.fm/es/music/Yoskar+Sarante/+wiki
https://listindiario.com/entretenimiento/2019/01/29/551308/fallece-el-bachatero-yoskar-sarante
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/01/29/gente/a-y-e/restos-de-yoskar-sarante-seran-velados-en-rd/
Most inmates are convicted of homicide
According to a report on the inmates in jail in the Dominican Republic, homicide is the main crime committed by those interned in the 22 new model prisons.
The statistics show that of the 9,069 inmates in the new jails, 2,861 have been convicted of murder. 91 of them for aggravated homicide, 43 for femicide and seven for infanticide for a total of 3,002 inmates for the different classes of homicide and the vast majority being males.
In second position are drug possession and sales crimes with 1,565 and in third place with 1,500 is robbery.
Domestic violence is increasing with 844 accused of that crime and 707 for rape. There are 284 jailed for fighting and injuring, 244 for criminal association and attacking of minors has 208.
Other crimes account for 91 inmates including cheque fraud, violation of the military code, defamation, abortion, cheating, breaking the law on closed hunting or fishing seasons, threats and environmental issues, each with less than 10 cases.
The old prison system is still in operation in 19 centers with 17,003 inmates compared to 9,129 in the new system for a total of 26,132 inmates.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...clusos-por-homicidio-son-2861-en-nuevo-modelo
Italian jazz at the Dominican Fiesta with Sandro Comini
Renown Italian trombone player, Sandro Comini will be at the Fiesta Sunset Jazz of the Dominican Fiesta Hotel on Friday, 1 February 2019. Comini plays a classic trombone style (JJ Johnson, Bill Watrous). He will be accompanied by Corey Allen (piano), Pengbian Sang (bass) and Guy Frometa (drums). The musicians will deliver a repertoire of jazz and swing songs in his style that has kept him a leading performer in his native Italy.
The rooftop nightclub presents jazz musicians every Friday as of 8:30pm.
Listen to Comini’s music at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5bkHU-79GE
https://www.facebook.com/events/776580062708456
Tribute concert to Juan Luis Guerra in Santiago
José Luis Freitas presents the songs of his Rock de Guerra album, a tribute to Juan Luis Guerra. The album has received praise from critics for its versions of Visa para un Sueño, Tus Besos or Señales de Humo, a duo with Patricia Pereyra.
The concert is booked for Wednesday, 30 January 2019, at the Julio Alberto Hernández hall of the Gran Teatro del Cibao, He will be accompanied by four musicians, and guest singers Rose Mateo and Chino Sing.
https://listindiario.com/entretenimiento/2019/01/28/551121/freitas-hara-concierto-de-rock
Listen to his music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSQgdsYLTkU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POOFAgpCDwI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFidUfnCgPE
Aladdin musical at the Teatro Nacional
Alina Abreu and Producciones FA present the Broadway-style musical “Aladino y el Genio de la Lampara”, the Dominican version of the classic story of Aladdin. The presentation is scheduled for 8, 9 and 10 February 2019.
The Dominican version is an original with the story revolving around a tropical Aladdin. Alina Abreu says the Dominican version of the story will captivate audiences all over the world. Abreu is responsible for the choreography and the theatrical direction is by Maria del mar and Ana Rivas.
The story and songs written by Frank Ceara. Luichy Guzman is responsible for the musical arrangements. Jose Julio Sanchez plays Aladdin and Maria Jesus Vargas and Paloma Rodriguez play Princess Nazira. Irving Alberti has the role of the genius and Kenny Grullon plays the role of the Sultan. Tickets are for sale at the National Theater box office and online at Uepa Tickets.