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President Medina travels to Guatemala for SICA meeting
Vice President says Danilo Medina and Leonel Fernández both lose-lose
President Medina meets with supporters
Jaime Bayly accuses Leonel Fernández of complicity with corrupt Venezuelans
David Collado has 77.5% acceptance for Mayor's Office
Abinader team says prosecutors need to explain why sentenced people are not in jail
Mango exports up
Academy of Sciences: Revoking of Manolo Tavarez Justo National Park is nefarious for collective good
Woman tourist dies of unexplained reasons
Tammy Lawrence-Daley asked for US$2.2 million
Strike in Esperanza
Dominicans get third place in Huawei ICT Competition 2018-2019 Global Final
Festival Mozart Caribe in the Colonial City
Raphael booked for October performance
President Medina travels to Guatemala for SICA meeting
On Wednesday, 4 June 2019, President Danilo Medina went to Guatemala to participate in the 53rd Meeting of Heads of State and Government of the Central American Integration System (SICA). SICA is made up of the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Panama.
The meeting was called to discuss aspects of democracy, development, freedom, peace and security, fundamental objectives of the System, as well as the five pillars of SICA: social integration, economic integration, climate change, democratic security and institutional strengthening.
The heads of state will be present for the transfer of the pro tempore presidency from Guatemala to El Salvador for the next six months, from 1 July to 31 December 2018.
The Presidency said President Medina is traveling accompanied by Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas; Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta, and Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo. On the delegation is José Osvaldo Leger, Dominican ambassador in Guatemala, the government spokesman Roberto Rodríguez Marchena, and other presidential aides.
Constituted in 1991, SICA is made up of the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Panama.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ja-manana-a-guatemala-para-la-cumbre-del-sica
Vice President says Danilo Medina and Leonel Fernández both lose-lose
Vice President Margarita Cedeño says the candidacies of President Danilo Medina and former President Leonel Fernández are a lose-lose situation for the country. She said her solution is a third option for a win-win formula.
She did not, however, say who the third option might be, but assured that the opinion polls reveal there are other options. Several polls indicate Cedeño is the third highest ranked candidate among politicians in the ruling PLD party.
Speaking about the accusations made by Peruvian talk show host Jaime Bayly when he stated that the campaign of Leonel Fernandez was being funded by Venezuelan drug lords, she defended her husband as honest and ethical.
Cedeño has gone public with her aspiration to be the presidential candidate for the ruling PLD party in the 2020 general election. She is in her second term as Vice President.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...rian-un-perder-perder-para-el-pais-DP12959093
President Medina meets with supporters
On Monday 3 June 2019, President Danilo Medina met for lunch with the five presidential pre-candidates who are his supporters within the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD). The presidential pre-candidates present were Francisco Domínguez Brito, Andrés Navarro, Reinaldo Pared Pérez, Radhamés Segura and Temístocles Montás. Also present were PLD deputies and senators who back his bid for a second re-election. Neither Leonel Fernandez nor any of his representatives were present. The meeting was held in the social club of the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE).
As reported, the meeting was to discuss a proposal reportedly made by party president, former President Leonel Fernández, whereby the party echelons would pre-select all PLD legislators and mayors in key cities. The Political Parties Law enables political party leadership to pick 20% of the main elective candidates for the election. The deadline for this is 7 July 2019. Others not pre-selected would be chosen during the primaries, set for 6 October 2019.
As reported, also present at lunch were other members of the Political Committee -- Francisco Javier García, Monchy Fadul, Ramón Ventura Camejo, Gonzalo Castillo, Euclides Gutiérrez and Jaime David Fernández Mirabal.
As reported in Diario Libre, spokesman for the deputies, Gustavo Sánchez said that during the meeting President Danilo Medina did not back a recent proposal made by Fernández. This scenario would be a repeat of 2015, when the party leadership backed aspirations of party senators and deputies to continue in their positions. At the time, Medina needed their vote to amend the Constitution in 2015 to enable him to run for President in 2016. Sánchez said Medina understands the candidates need to be chosen during the 6 October primary. He said President Danilo Medina has not yet announced his decision to back an amendment of the Constitution to allow him a third term.
https://eldia.com.do/danilo-se-reun...y-con-los-congresistas-que-apoyan-reeleccion/
https://eldia.com.do/danilo-se-reun...y-con-los-congresistas-que-apoyan-reeleccion/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...poyan-que-cargos-vayan-a-primarias-GN12971171
Jaime Bayly accuses Leonel Fernández of complicity with corrupt Venezuelans
Peruvian talk show host Jaime Bayly used his Mega TV “El Observador” show aired from Miami, Florida, to disclose detailed information from his sources on Venezuelans who are donating to fund the political aspirations of former President Leonel Fernandez, who seeks to return to the Presidency in 2020. He said the Venezuelans involved amassed doubtful great fortunes during the regimes of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro.
In his talk show of 3 June 2019, Bayly named and showed photos of several Venezuelans that would have made contributions to Fernandez for around US$4 million.
Bayly says these are billionaire Venezuelans who have purchased millionaire villas in Casa de Campo and Cap Cana and invested in major business projects in the Dominican Republic from 2004 to 2012, when Fernández was President, and have continued to do so under the President Danilo Medina administration.
Bayly says in the Dominican Republic, the Venezuelans have found “sanctuaries.” He said they “have found the legal umbrella, the protecting blanket and discrete impunity to laundry their money.”
Bayly also shared photographs and names of those whom he called their accomplices in the Dominican Republic.
Bayly also criticized President Danilo Medina for attempting what he called the Hugo Chavez formula of reforming the constitution to stay in power.
Former President Leonel Fernandez replied on Tuesday, 4 June 2019 in a Tweet, calling the statements regarding his receiving millions from corrupt politicians in Venezuela by Bayly “infamy and vile slander”. Fernandez emphasized that the "lies" by the journalist, whom he did not mention by name, will not be able to stop his fight “in defense of the Constitution.”
His son, Omar Fernández stated that Bayly did not provide any evidence to back his claims and said the statements are part of a “dirty campaign” against his father. The Fernández campaign team held a press conference on Tuesday, 4 June said groups entrenched in power were behind the Bayly accusations. Former Attorney General Radhamés Jiménez said that the attacks seek to destroy Fernández’s leadership to create conditions for the amending of the Constitution to clear the path for Medina to run again.
Fernández is endeavoring to run for President again. The 2015 Constitution would enable him to seek two more presidential terms. On the other hand, it bans President Danilo Medina from running for the Presidency in 2020. But Medina followers understand they have the backing in Congress to amend the Constitution to revoke the ban. Medina is the most popular PLD politician, according to recent polls. The government is the main employer in the Dominican Republic and the government has in place extensive social programs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx1Cf6KCn1I&feature=share
http://hoy.com.do/video-los-millone...-de-corruptos-de-venezuela-segun-jaime-bayly/
https://hoy.com.do/la-respuesta-que...te-leonel-fernandez-a-periodista-jaime-bayly/
David Collado has 77.5% acceptance for Mayor's Office
A Newlink poll reveals that 77.5% of residents in the National District would vote for Mayor David Collado if he opted for a second term in the National District Mayor's Office. The survey was conducted in the capital city 19-21 May 2019 and 1,200 people were polled. The poll has a margin of error of 3%.
The poll also showed that 85% of National District residents are positive on the city government management under Collado.
Newlink was the only poll that predicted that Collado, running for the opposition Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), would win the election against Roberto Salcedo, who was mayor from 2002 to 2016.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ollado-tiene-77-5-de-aceptacion-para-alcaldia
Abinader team says prosecutors need to explain why sentenced people are not in jail
The presidential pre-candidate of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) on Tuesday, 4 June 2019, urged the Attorney General of the Republic, Jean Alain Rodriguez, to demonstrate his responsibility and political will by creating an independent commission. The commission would be composed of representatives of the Attorney General's Office, civil society, honorable jurists and international security specialists, and would audit of the enforcement of sentences by those convicted, acts of release from prison, and the fate of bodies of crime received by the Public Ministry, such as real and personal property and cash.
The proposal was made during a press conference by Roberto Fulcar, general coordinator of Abinader's political team, who responded to the Attorney General's summons to the presidential candidate to present evidence on inmates who were out of jail despite not having served their sentences.
Fulcar accused the judicial and prison officials of cooperation with the criminals. He considered it an audacity of the Attorney General to request evidence on the allegations that criminal mafias and officials in charge of their surveillance facilitate their exit from prisons and that these once on the streets continue committing misdeeds.
Fulcar then presented a sequence of examples to the Attorney General, to back statements of complicity in government with the criminals.
When responding to Abinader’s accusations, Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez called for the pre-candidate to present “the evidence” to his claims.
https://www.prensa-latina.cu/index....-denuncia-al-sistema-penitenciario-dominicano
https://elnacional.com.do/equipo-de...or-cree-comision-audite-situacion-carcelaria/
Mango exports up
Agriculture Minister Osmar Benitez announced that Dominican mango exports have increased by 138.8% in the first three months of the year due to a new processing plant and efforts made to find new markets abroad for the produce.
In 2018, during the first quarter, the country exported 1,412 tons of mango. But from January to March this year exports have been 3,272 tons, or more than double those of last year for the same period.
In addition, Benitez said that the installation of a hydro-thermic processing plant in Baní means that mango exports can now be graded by size, which is a boost to exports.
Benítez expects exports this year to the United States will reach four million cases of mangos, or 400 freight containers.
He said the new mango processing plant and packaging installation means the Dominican Republic can now look to opening new fresh mango markets in Russia, China and Japan.
He was speaking when announcing the Mango 2019 Expo Fair will be held in Bani from 19 to 23 June.
During the activity, Rafael Leger, president of the Mango Cluster, announced that the most important thing about the new processing plant is that it opens big doors to the US market. He said the Dominican Republic would be guest country at the upcoming International Mango Fair in Coral Gables, Miami, Florida on 13-14 July 2019.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...en-primer-trimestre-de-2019-segun-agricultura
https://extradigital.com.do/economi...nerar-us40-millones-en-exportacion-de-mangos/
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-international-mango-festival-tickets-61451178128
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/06...-de-dolares-en-mango-vamos-corriendo-para-50/
Academy of Sciences: Revoking of Manolo Tavarez Justo National Park is nefarious for collective good
The Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic and the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo described as disastrous Constitutional Court Ruling 0905-18 that annuls the Manolo Tavárez Justo National Park that had been created by Decree 371-11.
Luis Scheker Ortiz, president of the Academy of Sciences, when reading the document, said that the revoking of the protected area status by the Constitutional Court threatens water sources in the provinces of Montecristi, Dajabón, Santiago Rodríguez, Valverde and the municipality of San José de La Mata, in Santiago de los Caballeros. He criticized that the ruling favors the business interests of a scant few over the collective good of the populations that live in the northwest.
He complained that the Constitutional Court did not consult the technical experts, many of whom are members of the Academy of Sciences. He praised the dissenting opinion by Judge Katia Miguelina Jiménez.
"This sentence constitutes a nefarious precedent against the System of Protected Areas of the Dominican Republic, when it removes protection from the water sources that feed the Monción Dam, supply the aqueducts, irrigation systems, surface runoffs and aquifers that guarantee life, the economy and the very existence of the northwestern region," stated Scheker.
The Academy of Sciences recognized that the rulings of the Constitutional Court are not subject to appeal, so the next recourse is to file a petition in international courts.
He explained that Decree 371-11 was issued in June 2011 creating the National Park covering an area of 351 square kilometers and honoring the memory of Manolo Tavárez Justo to conserve some of the best-cared forests that the island has, where water sources flow and that host great biological wealth.
Scheker explained that economically influential sectors have been lobbying for the decree to be repealed or derogated by the constitutional route to exploit the area through mining and logging thousands of trees. He criticized the Ministry of Environment had issued Environmental Permit 0228-03 of 2018 that authorizes the exploration of gold, silver, zinc, copper and associated minerals in communities of provinces located in the core zone of that National Park, despite its protected status at the time.
Carvajal mentioned that the mining interests in the area are those of Unigold and others that have received environmental permits that were granted after the decree creating the protected area was issued, and thus were issued illegally.
Environmentalists considered that the Constitutional Court based its ruling on false considerations, without making an in situ investigation. The Constitutional Court argued that 40 communities could lose their right to property when the reality is that there are no such community settlements, not even a human conglomerate with more than 10 or 15 houses in any part of the protected area, something that satellite technology can verify and show the reality of the facts.
Speaking on "La Cuestion" radio program on La Super 7, Luis Carvajal of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), said that the northwestern area is extremely vulnerable to drought and flooding, and thus the protection of the water sources and not actions to affect these are essential.
Carvajal said that the Ministry of Environment has issued permits for the installation of six sawmills, including one owned by the senator of Santiago Rodríguez province. Carvajal said this saw mill is the most modern in the Caribbean. The owner of the saw mill, Senator Antonio Cruz Torres says that he is milling disease-infected pine trees. Carvajal says the saw mills have contracted to log in the dense forests in government-owned lands.
Carvajal criticized that the Constitutional Court justified their decision to revoke the protected area status on the argument that a consensus had not been reached and it was necessary to accommodate the private interests in the area. He said this was an “evil” ruling that could become a precedent to dismantle other protected areas. He suggested the argument violates the Constitution.
In her dissident opinion, Constitutional Court judge Katia Miguelina Jimenez demonstrated that no one had private lands in the protected area, and that all the lands were public lands. The judge proved that those who say they own land need to be investigated to determine how they got titles to government protected land.
Carvajal points out that there are similarities to the Bahia de las Aguilas case that took over 20 years to be resolved.
Carvajal recognizes that the decisions of the Constitutional Court are irrevocable. But he says the Executive Branch could still order the cartography be updated and thus later issue a new decree protecting the area. Legislators could become aware of the threat to the water of their constituents and issuing new legislation. Carvajal said environmental groups would recur to the international covenants for environmental protection.
Carvajal said that in the meantime, they are encouraging the communities to defend their area and its water sources by exercising pressure on the government to reverse its complicity with private interests that threaten their livelihood.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...limina-parque-manolo-tavarez-justo-OP12958879
https://www.facebook.com/SIN24Horas/videos/462958744462285/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1WF0x0dS4g
https://domiplay.net/podcast/la-cuestion-radio/super-7/13-00-2019-06-04-Tue (see minute 15:00)
https://diariodigital.com.do/2019/0...a-crimen-ecologico-en-santiago-rodriguez.html
https://www.facebook.com/SIN24Horas/videos/2222395377856155/
https://jce.gob.do/Noticias/senador-de-santiago-rodrguez-visita-presidente-de-la-jce
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkI78J44p4k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiwGDxvMUYc
https://www.accionverde.com/parque-nacional-manolo-tavarez-justo-2/
Woman tourist dies of unexplained reasons, poisoning suspected
The National Police is investigating the death on 25 May 2019 of 41-year old psychotherapist from Allentown, Pennsylvania Miranda Lynn Schaup-Werner who was staying with her husband Daniel Werner at the Bahía Príncipe hotel in Playa Nueva Romana. Just a week before, a couple was reported dead at the same hotel from respiratory insufficiency. The results of the forensic autopsy are yet to be known.
Diario Libre reported that the Criminal Investigations Division (Dicrim) Police report indicates that they were called at 9:45pm to the room where the couple was staying. The forensic doctor certified the woman’s sudden death. The causes need to be determined by an autopsy.
The family has requested toxicology tests. The husband explained his wife fell ill after consuming from the mini-bar.
The document states that the husband of the deceased, Daniel Frank Werner, 49, explained that they had arrived at the hotel that same day to celebrate the tenth anniversary of marriage and that at 7:30pm, she was taking photographs from the balcony of the room when she told him she was feeling ill, so he proceeded to call for help.
The corpse was taken Santo Domingo for autopsy at the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Inacif).
National Police captain José del Carmen Lora, prosecutor Brenda Jabalera and Corporal Fernando Antonio Gonzáles Cuevas, in charge of the Scientific Police in San Pedro de Macorís, were called to the scene of the death.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...que-fallecio-pareja-estadounidense-FN12973633
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ublic-hotel-room-five-days-couples-death.html
Tammy Lawrence-Daley asked for US$2.2 million
Majestic Resorts says that Tammy Lawrence-Daley, the American lady who complained of an attack during her stay at the resort in Punta Cana in January 2019 refused to make a legal complaint about the event at the time, despite the recommendations from the local authorities. The resort says that it put the matter in the hands of their insurance company that would receive a letter from Tammy Lawrence-Daley, an insurance professional, asking for compensation for US$2.2 million.
Having carried out an in-depth investigation, the resort and the insurance company decided that there were weaknesses in her case, and the situation was unclear and so they rejected her request.
The hotel says that the victim, a couple of days after receiving their rejection, and some four months after the event, decided to go public with her version.
Majestic Resorts outlined their version of events, stating that on 28 January 2019, around 2:30 am, they were informed that Daly was missing, and a search began immediately by the night staff. She was found at 6:40am, in a restricted area of the hotel and taken to a hospital in an ambulance.
They described her injuries as facial injuries and a broken fingernail. The hotel says were no scratches or other injuries to her body and she was still in possession of her purse and cell phone.
Majestic Hotels says that they have no opinion about the various hypotheses of the case and that they are continuing to work with the authorities to come to a resolution.
The resort says that the police were informed as soon as she was taken to hospital, and an investigation began immediately. There were employees of the hotel at the hospital at all times to offer support and assistance. The resort states that it paid all of the hospital expenses as well as offering all four members of the party a free extension to their stay, should they require it.
The resort confirmed that a member of the United States Embassy visited her at the hospital but she refused to file a legal and official complaint at the time.
US Ambassador Robin Bernstein stated on the case on 4 June 2019: “They come here to visit the beautiful beaches and enjoy the wonderful culture. Sometimes bad things happen to people. Normally we do not comment on ongoing investigations. The premium function of our Embassy is to take care of safety and security of all Americans that visit here and work here.”
http://noticiasenn.net/extranjera-d...oULZ1TZyHx-JLGgI0fmvfir-ckHO37vhbL1jH4mK1-4nE
https://n.com.do/2019/06/03/turista...te-rechace-pagarle-indemnizacion-de-us2-2-mm/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...e-seguridad-del-turismo-en-el-pais-NP12959433
Strike in Esperanza
At least eight people were arrested yesterday, Tuesday 4 June 2019, in the midst of protests in the municipality of Esperanza, Valverde province when protesting to demand public works. There were also protests in Navarette in support of those in Esperanza. Schools were closed in Esperanza, business was affected, and there was no public transport.
The municipality was quickly occupied by Police who made several arrests.
The protesters were complaining that the authorities appeared to be indifferent to the demands of the local population.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...dos-en-protestas-en-el-municipio-de-esperanza
Dominicans get third place in Huawei ICT Competition 2018-2019 Global Final
Three Dominican students placed third in the Huawei ICT Competition 2018-2019 Global Final that ended 26 May 2019 in Shenzhen, China. These were Emanuel Marcial Medina, Leandro Álvarez Méndez and Braian Antonio Santos Torres, from PUCMM-Santo Tomás de Aquino, ITLA and PUCMM-Santiago, respectively.
Since last June the competition has attracted more than 100,000 students from over 1,600 colleges and universities in 61 countries. The students participated in the final competing against 49 teams from 30 countries.
The Dominican team was sponsored by Huawai and the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel).
https://www.huawei.com/en/press-events/news/2019/5/huawei-ict-competition-2018-2019-global-final
Festival Mozart Caribe in the Colonial City
The music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is coming to the Colonial City. The Festival Mozart Caribe aims to merge the music of the legendary Austrian musician with the beauty and historical richness of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. The festival seeks to help develop and promote cultural and economic activities. The effort aims to promote the experience of brotherhood among people through the universal language of music. Yohenny Agramonte is the general director, and Michael Dabroski, the musical director.
Three concerts are scheduled at 8pm. These are on Friday, 7 June 2019 at the Convento de los Dominicos on Calle Padre Billini, Saturday, 8 June at the Capilla de los Remedios at Calle Isabel la Católica and on Sunday, 9 June at the Regina Angelorum Church of Calle Padre Billini. Tickets can be purchased online at Uepa Tickets for RD$1,085 or at Supermercados Nacional and Jumbo stores.
Raphael booked for October performance
The Spanish singer 76-year old Raphael is bringing his “Resinphónico Tour”, with two performances scheduled for Tuesday, 15 October and Wednesday, 16 October 2019 at the Teatro La Fiesta of the Jaragua Renaissance Hotel. He is accompanied by a symphony orchestra of 54 musicians. Raphael is one of the most outstanding Spanish singers of all times.
Vice President says Danilo Medina and Leonel Fernández both lose-lose
President Medina meets with supporters
Jaime Bayly accuses Leonel Fernández of complicity with corrupt Venezuelans
David Collado has 77.5% acceptance for Mayor's Office
Abinader team says prosecutors need to explain why sentenced people are not in jail
Mango exports up
Academy of Sciences: Revoking of Manolo Tavarez Justo National Park is nefarious for collective good
Woman tourist dies of unexplained reasons
Tammy Lawrence-Daley asked for US$2.2 million
Strike in Esperanza
Dominicans get third place in Huawei ICT Competition 2018-2019 Global Final
Festival Mozart Caribe in the Colonial City
Raphael booked for October performance
President Medina travels to Guatemala for SICA meeting
On Wednesday, 4 June 2019, President Danilo Medina went to Guatemala to participate in the 53rd Meeting of Heads of State and Government of the Central American Integration System (SICA). SICA is made up of the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Panama.
The meeting was called to discuss aspects of democracy, development, freedom, peace and security, fundamental objectives of the System, as well as the five pillars of SICA: social integration, economic integration, climate change, democratic security and institutional strengthening.
The heads of state will be present for the transfer of the pro tempore presidency from Guatemala to El Salvador for the next six months, from 1 July to 31 December 2018.
The Presidency said President Medina is traveling accompanied by Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas; Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta, and Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo. On the delegation is José Osvaldo Leger, Dominican ambassador in Guatemala, the government spokesman Roberto Rodríguez Marchena, and other presidential aides.
Constituted in 1991, SICA is made up of the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Panama.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ja-manana-a-guatemala-para-la-cumbre-del-sica
Vice President says Danilo Medina and Leonel Fernández both lose-lose
Vice President Margarita Cedeño says the candidacies of President Danilo Medina and former President Leonel Fernández are a lose-lose situation for the country. She said her solution is a third option for a win-win formula.
She did not, however, say who the third option might be, but assured that the opinion polls reveal there are other options. Several polls indicate Cedeño is the third highest ranked candidate among politicians in the ruling PLD party.
Speaking about the accusations made by Peruvian talk show host Jaime Bayly when he stated that the campaign of Leonel Fernandez was being funded by Venezuelan drug lords, she defended her husband as honest and ethical.
Cedeño has gone public with her aspiration to be the presidential candidate for the ruling PLD party in the 2020 general election. She is in her second term as Vice President.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...rian-un-perder-perder-para-el-pais-DP12959093
President Medina meets with supporters
On Monday 3 June 2019, President Danilo Medina met for lunch with the five presidential pre-candidates who are his supporters within the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD). The presidential pre-candidates present were Francisco Domínguez Brito, Andrés Navarro, Reinaldo Pared Pérez, Radhamés Segura and Temístocles Montás. Also present were PLD deputies and senators who back his bid for a second re-election. Neither Leonel Fernandez nor any of his representatives were present. The meeting was held in the social club of the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE).
As reported, the meeting was to discuss a proposal reportedly made by party president, former President Leonel Fernández, whereby the party echelons would pre-select all PLD legislators and mayors in key cities. The Political Parties Law enables political party leadership to pick 20% of the main elective candidates for the election. The deadline for this is 7 July 2019. Others not pre-selected would be chosen during the primaries, set for 6 October 2019.
As reported, also present at lunch were other members of the Political Committee -- Francisco Javier García, Monchy Fadul, Ramón Ventura Camejo, Gonzalo Castillo, Euclides Gutiérrez and Jaime David Fernández Mirabal.
As reported in Diario Libre, spokesman for the deputies, Gustavo Sánchez said that during the meeting President Danilo Medina did not back a recent proposal made by Fernández. This scenario would be a repeat of 2015, when the party leadership backed aspirations of party senators and deputies to continue in their positions. At the time, Medina needed their vote to amend the Constitution in 2015 to enable him to run for President in 2016. Sánchez said Medina understands the candidates need to be chosen during the 6 October primary. He said President Danilo Medina has not yet announced his decision to back an amendment of the Constitution to allow him a third term.
https://eldia.com.do/danilo-se-reun...y-con-los-congresistas-que-apoyan-reeleccion/
https://eldia.com.do/danilo-se-reun...y-con-los-congresistas-que-apoyan-reeleccion/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...poyan-que-cargos-vayan-a-primarias-GN12971171
Jaime Bayly accuses Leonel Fernández of complicity with corrupt Venezuelans
Peruvian talk show host Jaime Bayly used his Mega TV “El Observador” show aired from Miami, Florida, to disclose detailed information from his sources on Venezuelans who are donating to fund the political aspirations of former President Leonel Fernandez, who seeks to return to the Presidency in 2020. He said the Venezuelans involved amassed doubtful great fortunes during the regimes of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro.
In his talk show of 3 June 2019, Bayly named and showed photos of several Venezuelans that would have made contributions to Fernandez for around US$4 million.
Bayly says these are billionaire Venezuelans who have purchased millionaire villas in Casa de Campo and Cap Cana and invested in major business projects in the Dominican Republic from 2004 to 2012, when Fernández was President, and have continued to do so under the President Danilo Medina administration.
Bayly says in the Dominican Republic, the Venezuelans have found “sanctuaries.” He said they “have found the legal umbrella, the protecting blanket and discrete impunity to laundry their money.”
Bayly also shared photographs and names of those whom he called their accomplices in the Dominican Republic.
Bayly also criticized President Danilo Medina for attempting what he called the Hugo Chavez formula of reforming the constitution to stay in power.
Former President Leonel Fernandez replied on Tuesday, 4 June 2019 in a Tweet, calling the statements regarding his receiving millions from corrupt politicians in Venezuela by Bayly “infamy and vile slander”. Fernandez emphasized that the "lies" by the journalist, whom he did not mention by name, will not be able to stop his fight “in defense of the Constitution.”
His son, Omar Fernández stated that Bayly did not provide any evidence to back his claims and said the statements are part of a “dirty campaign” against his father. The Fernández campaign team held a press conference on Tuesday, 4 June said groups entrenched in power were behind the Bayly accusations. Former Attorney General Radhamés Jiménez said that the attacks seek to destroy Fernández’s leadership to create conditions for the amending of the Constitution to clear the path for Medina to run again.
Fernández is endeavoring to run for President again. The 2015 Constitution would enable him to seek two more presidential terms. On the other hand, it bans President Danilo Medina from running for the Presidency in 2020. But Medina followers understand they have the backing in Congress to amend the Constitution to revoke the ban. Medina is the most popular PLD politician, according to recent polls. The government is the main employer in the Dominican Republic and the government has in place extensive social programs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx1Cf6KCn1I&feature=share
http://hoy.com.do/video-los-millone...-de-corruptos-de-venezuela-segun-jaime-bayly/
https://hoy.com.do/la-respuesta-que...te-leonel-fernandez-a-periodista-jaime-bayly/
David Collado has 77.5% acceptance for Mayor's Office
A Newlink poll reveals that 77.5% of residents in the National District would vote for Mayor David Collado if he opted for a second term in the National District Mayor's Office. The survey was conducted in the capital city 19-21 May 2019 and 1,200 people were polled. The poll has a margin of error of 3%.
The poll also showed that 85% of National District residents are positive on the city government management under Collado.
Newlink was the only poll that predicted that Collado, running for the opposition Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), would win the election against Roberto Salcedo, who was mayor from 2002 to 2016.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ollado-tiene-77-5-de-aceptacion-para-alcaldia
Abinader team says prosecutors need to explain why sentenced people are not in jail
The presidential pre-candidate of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) on Tuesday, 4 June 2019, urged the Attorney General of the Republic, Jean Alain Rodriguez, to demonstrate his responsibility and political will by creating an independent commission. The commission would be composed of representatives of the Attorney General's Office, civil society, honorable jurists and international security specialists, and would audit of the enforcement of sentences by those convicted, acts of release from prison, and the fate of bodies of crime received by the Public Ministry, such as real and personal property and cash.
The proposal was made during a press conference by Roberto Fulcar, general coordinator of Abinader's political team, who responded to the Attorney General's summons to the presidential candidate to present evidence on inmates who were out of jail despite not having served their sentences.
Fulcar accused the judicial and prison officials of cooperation with the criminals. He considered it an audacity of the Attorney General to request evidence on the allegations that criminal mafias and officials in charge of their surveillance facilitate their exit from prisons and that these once on the streets continue committing misdeeds.
Fulcar then presented a sequence of examples to the Attorney General, to back statements of complicity in government with the criminals.
When responding to Abinader’s accusations, Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez called for the pre-candidate to present “the evidence” to his claims.
https://www.prensa-latina.cu/index....-denuncia-al-sistema-penitenciario-dominicano
https://elnacional.com.do/equipo-de...or-cree-comision-audite-situacion-carcelaria/
Mango exports up
Agriculture Minister Osmar Benitez announced that Dominican mango exports have increased by 138.8% in the first three months of the year due to a new processing plant and efforts made to find new markets abroad for the produce.
In 2018, during the first quarter, the country exported 1,412 tons of mango. But from January to March this year exports have been 3,272 tons, or more than double those of last year for the same period.
In addition, Benitez said that the installation of a hydro-thermic processing plant in Baní means that mango exports can now be graded by size, which is a boost to exports.
Benítez expects exports this year to the United States will reach four million cases of mangos, or 400 freight containers.
He said the new mango processing plant and packaging installation means the Dominican Republic can now look to opening new fresh mango markets in Russia, China and Japan.
He was speaking when announcing the Mango 2019 Expo Fair will be held in Bani from 19 to 23 June.
During the activity, Rafael Leger, president of the Mango Cluster, announced that the most important thing about the new processing plant is that it opens big doors to the US market. He said the Dominican Republic would be guest country at the upcoming International Mango Fair in Coral Gables, Miami, Florida on 13-14 July 2019.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...en-primer-trimestre-de-2019-segun-agricultura
https://extradigital.com.do/economi...nerar-us40-millones-en-exportacion-de-mangos/
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-international-mango-festival-tickets-61451178128
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/06...-de-dolares-en-mango-vamos-corriendo-para-50/
Academy of Sciences: Revoking of Manolo Tavarez Justo National Park is nefarious for collective good
The Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic and the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo described as disastrous Constitutional Court Ruling 0905-18 that annuls the Manolo Tavárez Justo National Park that had been created by Decree 371-11.
Luis Scheker Ortiz, president of the Academy of Sciences, when reading the document, said that the revoking of the protected area status by the Constitutional Court threatens water sources in the provinces of Montecristi, Dajabón, Santiago Rodríguez, Valverde and the municipality of San José de La Mata, in Santiago de los Caballeros. He criticized that the ruling favors the business interests of a scant few over the collective good of the populations that live in the northwest.
He complained that the Constitutional Court did not consult the technical experts, many of whom are members of the Academy of Sciences. He praised the dissenting opinion by Judge Katia Miguelina Jiménez.
"This sentence constitutes a nefarious precedent against the System of Protected Areas of the Dominican Republic, when it removes protection from the water sources that feed the Monción Dam, supply the aqueducts, irrigation systems, surface runoffs and aquifers that guarantee life, the economy and the very existence of the northwestern region," stated Scheker.
The Academy of Sciences recognized that the rulings of the Constitutional Court are not subject to appeal, so the next recourse is to file a petition in international courts.
He explained that Decree 371-11 was issued in June 2011 creating the National Park covering an area of 351 square kilometers and honoring the memory of Manolo Tavárez Justo to conserve some of the best-cared forests that the island has, where water sources flow and that host great biological wealth.
Scheker explained that economically influential sectors have been lobbying for the decree to be repealed or derogated by the constitutional route to exploit the area through mining and logging thousands of trees. He criticized the Ministry of Environment had issued Environmental Permit 0228-03 of 2018 that authorizes the exploration of gold, silver, zinc, copper and associated minerals in communities of provinces located in the core zone of that National Park, despite its protected status at the time.
Carvajal mentioned that the mining interests in the area are those of Unigold and others that have received environmental permits that were granted after the decree creating the protected area was issued, and thus were issued illegally.
Environmentalists considered that the Constitutional Court based its ruling on false considerations, without making an in situ investigation. The Constitutional Court argued that 40 communities could lose their right to property when the reality is that there are no such community settlements, not even a human conglomerate with more than 10 or 15 houses in any part of the protected area, something that satellite technology can verify and show the reality of the facts.
Speaking on "La Cuestion" radio program on La Super 7, Luis Carvajal of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), said that the northwestern area is extremely vulnerable to drought and flooding, and thus the protection of the water sources and not actions to affect these are essential.
Carvajal said that the Ministry of Environment has issued permits for the installation of six sawmills, including one owned by the senator of Santiago Rodríguez province. Carvajal said this saw mill is the most modern in the Caribbean. The owner of the saw mill, Senator Antonio Cruz Torres says that he is milling disease-infected pine trees. Carvajal says the saw mills have contracted to log in the dense forests in government-owned lands.
Carvajal criticized that the Constitutional Court justified their decision to revoke the protected area status on the argument that a consensus had not been reached and it was necessary to accommodate the private interests in the area. He said this was an “evil” ruling that could become a precedent to dismantle other protected areas. He suggested the argument violates the Constitution.
In her dissident opinion, Constitutional Court judge Katia Miguelina Jimenez demonstrated that no one had private lands in the protected area, and that all the lands were public lands. The judge proved that those who say they own land need to be investigated to determine how they got titles to government protected land.
Carvajal points out that there are similarities to the Bahia de las Aguilas case that took over 20 years to be resolved.
Carvajal recognizes that the decisions of the Constitutional Court are irrevocable. But he says the Executive Branch could still order the cartography be updated and thus later issue a new decree protecting the area. Legislators could become aware of the threat to the water of their constituents and issuing new legislation. Carvajal said environmental groups would recur to the international covenants for environmental protection.
Carvajal said that in the meantime, they are encouraging the communities to defend their area and its water sources by exercising pressure on the government to reverse its complicity with private interests that threaten their livelihood.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...limina-parque-manolo-tavarez-justo-OP12958879
https://www.facebook.com/SIN24Horas/videos/462958744462285/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1WF0x0dS4g
https://domiplay.net/podcast/la-cuestion-radio/super-7/13-00-2019-06-04-Tue (see minute 15:00)
https://diariodigital.com.do/2019/0...a-crimen-ecologico-en-santiago-rodriguez.html
https://www.facebook.com/SIN24Horas/videos/2222395377856155/
https://jce.gob.do/Noticias/senador-de-santiago-rodrguez-visita-presidente-de-la-jce
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkI78J44p4k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiwGDxvMUYc
https://www.accionverde.com/parque-nacional-manolo-tavarez-justo-2/
Woman tourist dies of unexplained reasons, poisoning suspected
The National Police is investigating the death on 25 May 2019 of 41-year old psychotherapist from Allentown, Pennsylvania Miranda Lynn Schaup-Werner who was staying with her husband Daniel Werner at the Bahía Príncipe hotel in Playa Nueva Romana. Just a week before, a couple was reported dead at the same hotel from respiratory insufficiency. The results of the forensic autopsy are yet to be known.
Diario Libre reported that the Criminal Investigations Division (Dicrim) Police report indicates that they were called at 9:45pm to the room where the couple was staying. The forensic doctor certified the woman’s sudden death. The causes need to be determined by an autopsy.
The family has requested toxicology tests. The husband explained his wife fell ill after consuming from the mini-bar.
The document states that the husband of the deceased, Daniel Frank Werner, 49, explained that they had arrived at the hotel that same day to celebrate the tenth anniversary of marriage and that at 7:30pm, she was taking photographs from the balcony of the room when she told him she was feeling ill, so he proceeded to call for help.
The corpse was taken Santo Domingo for autopsy at the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Inacif).
National Police captain José del Carmen Lora, prosecutor Brenda Jabalera and Corporal Fernando Antonio Gonzáles Cuevas, in charge of the Scientific Police in San Pedro de Macorís, were called to the scene of the death.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...que-fallecio-pareja-estadounidense-FN12973633
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ublic-hotel-room-five-days-couples-death.html
Tammy Lawrence-Daley asked for US$2.2 million
Majestic Resorts says that Tammy Lawrence-Daley, the American lady who complained of an attack during her stay at the resort in Punta Cana in January 2019 refused to make a legal complaint about the event at the time, despite the recommendations from the local authorities. The resort says that it put the matter in the hands of their insurance company that would receive a letter from Tammy Lawrence-Daley, an insurance professional, asking for compensation for US$2.2 million.
Having carried out an in-depth investigation, the resort and the insurance company decided that there were weaknesses in her case, and the situation was unclear and so they rejected her request.
The hotel says that the victim, a couple of days after receiving their rejection, and some four months after the event, decided to go public with her version.
Majestic Resorts outlined their version of events, stating that on 28 January 2019, around 2:30 am, they were informed that Daly was missing, and a search began immediately by the night staff. She was found at 6:40am, in a restricted area of the hotel and taken to a hospital in an ambulance.
They described her injuries as facial injuries and a broken fingernail. The hotel says were no scratches or other injuries to her body and she was still in possession of her purse and cell phone.
Majestic Hotels says that they have no opinion about the various hypotheses of the case and that they are continuing to work with the authorities to come to a resolution.
The resort says that the police were informed as soon as she was taken to hospital, and an investigation began immediately. There were employees of the hotel at the hospital at all times to offer support and assistance. The resort states that it paid all of the hospital expenses as well as offering all four members of the party a free extension to their stay, should they require it.
The resort confirmed that a member of the United States Embassy visited her at the hospital but she refused to file a legal and official complaint at the time.
US Ambassador Robin Bernstein stated on the case on 4 June 2019: “They come here to visit the beautiful beaches and enjoy the wonderful culture. Sometimes bad things happen to people. Normally we do not comment on ongoing investigations. The premium function of our Embassy is to take care of safety and security of all Americans that visit here and work here.”
http://noticiasenn.net/extranjera-d...oULZ1TZyHx-JLGgI0fmvfir-ckHO37vhbL1jH4mK1-4nE
https://n.com.do/2019/06/03/turista...te-rechace-pagarle-indemnizacion-de-us2-2-mm/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...e-seguridad-del-turismo-en-el-pais-NP12959433
Strike in Esperanza
At least eight people were arrested yesterday, Tuesday 4 June 2019, in the midst of protests in the municipality of Esperanza, Valverde province when protesting to demand public works. There were also protests in Navarette in support of those in Esperanza. Schools were closed in Esperanza, business was affected, and there was no public transport.
The municipality was quickly occupied by Police who made several arrests.
The protesters were complaining that the authorities appeared to be indifferent to the demands of the local population.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...dos-en-protestas-en-el-municipio-de-esperanza
Dominicans get third place in Huawei ICT Competition 2018-2019 Global Final
Three Dominican students placed third in the Huawei ICT Competition 2018-2019 Global Final that ended 26 May 2019 in Shenzhen, China. These were Emanuel Marcial Medina, Leandro Álvarez Méndez and Braian Antonio Santos Torres, from PUCMM-Santo Tomás de Aquino, ITLA and PUCMM-Santiago, respectively.
Since last June the competition has attracted more than 100,000 students from over 1,600 colleges and universities in 61 countries. The students participated in the final competing against 49 teams from 30 countries.
The Dominican team was sponsored by Huawai and the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel).
https://www.huawei.com/en/press-events/news/2019/5/huawei-ict-competition-2018-2019-global-final
Festival Mozart Caribe in the Colonial City
The music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is coming to the Colonial City. The Festival Mozart Caribe aims to merge the music of the legendary Austrian musician with the beauty and historical richness of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. The festival seeks to help develop and promote cultural and economic activities. The effort aims to promote the experience of brotherhood among people through the universal language of music. Yohenny Agramonte is the general director, and Michael Dabroski, the musical director.
Three concerts are scheduled at 8pm. These are on Friday, 7 June 2019 at the Convento de los Dominicos on Calle Padre Billini, Saturday, 8 June at the Capilla de los Remedios at Calle Isabel la Católica and on Sunday, 9 June at the Regina Angelorum Church of Calle Padre Billini. Tickets can be purchased online at Uepa Tickets for RD$1,085 or at Supermercados Nacional and Jumbo stores.
Raphael booked for October performance
The Spanish singer 76-year old Raphael is bringing his “Resinphónico Tour”, with two performances scheduled for Tuesday, 15 October and Wednesday, 16 October 2019 at the Teatro La Fiesta of the Jaragua Renaissance Hotel. He is accompanied by a symphony orchestra of 54 musicians. Raphael is one of the most outstanding Spanish singers of all times.
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