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Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 1 July 2019
President Medina attends macadamia processing plant inaugural
Medina summons top businessmen to meet at Presidential Palace
The National Congress under siege
China mission comes to help prepare DR to receive Chinese tourists
US Ambassador visits ITSC community college
Ministry of Environment rejects Puerto Plata city proposed landfill
Alicia Ortega presents details of ICIJ investigation
ICIJ identifies US$39 million more in Odebrecht hidden payments
CNN says Americans more likely to be killed in US than in DR
Six dead, 13 injured in Maimón-Cotuí road accident
Venezuelans accused of US$1.3 million cash contraband
Carolina Rivas and Frank Ceara present: "The Monsters"
Dominican classics gala at the National Theater
Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 1 July 2019
The next DR1 Daily News update will be published on Monday, 1 July 2019. The Monday issue will compile headline news for the previous Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Breaking news can be followed 24/7 in the DR1 Forums. See DR1 Forum at https://dr1.com
President Medina attends macadamia processing plant inaugural
President Danilo Medina was in La Sierra in Santiago province for the inauguration of the La Loma macadamia nut processing plant. The plant is part of a significant effort by the company to make tree planting profitable and encourage landowners in the mountainous area of San Jose de las Matas to switch from cattle ranching to macadamia farming.
Entrepreneur Jesus Moreno, founder of Bon ice cream, and “Mr. Macadamia” in the Dominican Republic, hosted the President on a tour of the innovative US$2 million manufacturing plant. La Loma is a pioneer in macadamia nut planting and processing on a commercial scale in the Caribbean.
During the inauguration, Moreno said in this first phase the company can process 75,000 to 100,000 kilos of macadamia nuts with export quality. The installations incorporates Brazilian, Costa Rican and Dominican technology.
"We are promoting a virtuous crop that provides permanent and seasonal jobs for women, but also stimulates economic activities related to transport and agricultural services," said Moreno. The project benefits more than 1,100 persons, adds jobs, creates a new opportunity for ecotourism development in the mountain farm areas, increases export capacity.
So far 6,700 tareas (1 tarea = 629 square meters) have been planted with macadamia trees in the area, and another 1,800 tareas will be incorporated by June 2020. René Muñoz, president of the association that groups the farmers spoke on behalf of the producers. He said that the cultivation of macadamia in the municipality has had a rapid growth. He estimated 60,000 macadamia trees have been planted.
Accompanying the President on the visit were Leandro Mercedes, deputy minister of Agriculture; Santiago governor Ana María Domínguez and San Jose de las Matas Mayor Roberto Espinal.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...n-inicio-de-operaciones-planta-procesadora-de
Medina summons top businessmen to meet at Presidential Palace
President Danilo Medina invited leading Dominican businessmen to the Presidential Palace on Wednesday, 26 June 2019. The meeting came at a time when the international reputation in the United States has been affected by recent controversial news featured in leading US media.
The meeting also comes at a time when there is speculation President Medina’s followers will call for the National Assembly to meet to reform the 2015 Constitution. Leading polls show that most Dominicans oppose the amendment, but the same polls show that Medina is still the most popular Dominican politician. The government is the principal employer in the Dominican Republic.
The Presidency reports that the businessmen were Juan Vicini, Luis Emilio Velutini, Manuel Estrella, Mario Lama, Héctor José Rizek, Frank Rainieri, Félix García, Fernando Capellán, Francisco Rodríguez, Guillermo Julián and José Clase. Also Micalo Bermúdez, Guillermo Julián, Francisco Rodríguez, Micalo Bermúdez and Fernando Villanueva.
Medina was accompanied by Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta, Interior & Police Minister José Ramón Fadul, Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García, and Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo, all strong supporters of his bid for a third term.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...lizan-visita-de-cortesia-al-presidente-danilo
The National Congress under siege
Military troops have cordoned off the Centro de los Heroes governmental offices area, from Avenida Independencia in the north to the Malecón in the south with the long line of police making this government offices area appear like a war zone. There is speculation that President Danilo Medina’s followers will submit a motion to amend the 2015 Constitution to enable Medina to run for a third period. The proposal is opposed by followers of the president of the PLD, former President Leonel Fernandez, who also seeks to be the ruling political party's presidential candidate in the 2020 general election.
The troops were called in by the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, Reinaldo Pared Perez and Radhames Camacho, both strong supporters of President Danilo Medina and his aspiration to continue in power.
The extending of the military and police protection to the area has caused inconveniences to public employees and those who seek services of the City Government of Santo Domingo, Ministry of Labor, National Hydraulic Resources Institute (Indrhi), Supreme Court and Attorney General Office that are located in the area. As reported, Brigade General Máximo Báez has instructions to only allow in employees that present their work identification.
The president of the National Bureau of Investigations (DNI), Sigfrido Pared Perez told N Digital that the troops were ordered to remain in the area as they had information of a plan to bring chaos to the Congress.
The Listin Diario described the situation as Congress being taken hostage by the internal conflict in the ruling PLD party.
The Wednesday, 26 June 2019, session of the Chamber of Deputies was suspended for lack of quorum.
Opposition party president, senator José Ignacio Paliza said that PRM legislators would abstain from voting in any session until the military and police are removed from the area. “We will not be intimidated,” he said.
http://z101digital.com/amplian-hast...a-el-cerco-militar-y-policial-en-el-congreso/
https://n.com.do/2019/06/26/dni-rev...-ocupar-el-congreso-para-crear-inestabilidad/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...n-rehen-de-la-lucha-interna-que-sacude-al-pld
https://eldia.com.do/camara-de-diputados-suspende-otra-vez-la-sesion-por-falta-de-quorum/
China mission comes to help prepare DR to receive Chinese tourists
The government of the People's Republic of China is working with the Ministry of Tourism to facilitate the arrival of Chinese tourists to the Dominican Republic as part of the agreements between the two nations following the new diplomatic relations that began on 30 April 2018.
A Chinese delegation, headed by the president of the China Tourism Academy and the deputy general manager of Hainan Airlines, the main Chinese private airline and the fourth largest air passenger mover in Asia, are visiting to meet with representatives of the Dominican tourism sector.
Dai Bin, who in addition to being the president of the Chinese Academy of Tourism is also director of the National Tourism Data Center, will lead a day of work with Dominican tourism entrepreneurs so that they can adapt their facilities to the demands of the Chinese traveler.
Meanwhile, Pubin Liang, deputy general manager of Hainan Airlines, is coming to discuss the possibilities of creating routes to facilitate air connections between China and the Dominican Republic. The airline has several routes to the United States.
The mission, completed by Xiangyan Liu, Huang Juang, Yang Zhang, María Brava and Zhang Ye, is accompanied by Dominican ambassador in China, Briuni Garabito.
"For this, we are collaborating with the Dominican business sector so that it can be attractive to them. This mission, important for understanding how the Chinese tourism market works, has been promoted by the Dominican Ministry of Tourism," explained Garabito.
Garabito said the Chinese government is especially interested in the Dominican Republic getting a share of the 130 million a year Chinese tourist market. Earlier this year, representatives of Ctrip visited. The Chinese company handles more than 60% of China's tourism and travel operations.
The Chinese delegation is also scheduled to meet with President Danilo Medina and leading representatives of the tourism industry at the Presidential Palace.
The mission has already met with Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia, and the Ambassador of China in the Dominican Republic, Zhang Run.
During the work visit, Dai Bin told Diario Libre in an interview that if all goes well the Dominican Republic could receive 50,000 Chinese tourists a year. He said that among the recommendations made is the facilities for visas, increase in promotion in China and the start of flights of a more direct air connection between both countries.
https://eldia.com.do/gobierno-chino-inicia-labor-traer-turistas-al-pais/
https://www.diariolibre.com/economia/expectativa-turismo-chino-por-encima-de-posibilidad-OA13205847
http://eng.ctaweb.org/
US Ambassador visits ITSC community college
Engineer Milton Reyes, rector of the Instituto Técnico Superior Comunitario (ITSC), hosted US Ambassador Robin S. Bernstein on her tour of the model community college located in eastern Santo Domingo. As reported, Bernstein spoke of possible agreements to enhance the university's English language education programs. She met with students and received a gift book that includes photos taken by the photography students of the learning center.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...embajadora-robin-bernstein-visita-rector-itsc
Ministry of Environment rejects Puerto Plata city proposed landfill
The Ministry of Environment rejected granting permission to the city government of Puerto Plata for construction of the sanitary landfill in the Cofresí area. The new site that is practically adjacent to the old one met with widespread opposition from the tourism sector in Puerto Plata due to its proximity to hotel enclaves.
The Ministry is evaluating two other sites, including one in the community of Loma de La Bestia that is some three kilometers from the closed landfill in Maggiolo.
Mayor Walter Musa said he had not been notified. In the report, the environmental technicians warn of the severe consequences that the location chosen by the city government would bring.
On the weekend, activists in Puerto Plata protested the construction of the sanitary landfill in the area planned by the municipal authorities and Dominicana Limpia. The 140,000 square meter site had been purchased by the Puerto Plata city government at the cost of RD$52 million.
Recently, Jose Natalio Redondo, president of the Northern Hotels Association (ASHONORTE) reported that the designated delegation is reviewing nine options, which were technically evaluated by the expert in the area, the Mexican Pilar Tello.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/06.../medio-ambiente-rechaza-terreno-para-relleno/
Alicia Ortega presents details of ICIJ investigation
In a special edition of her “El Informe con Alicia Ortega” on Wednesday, 26 June 2019, investigative journalist Alicia Ortega presented findings related to the Dominican Republic included in the ICIJ-La Posta file on corruption by the Brazilian construction firm, Odebrecht. Four months ago, Ortega was invited to be part of the 17 media partners across the Americas that make up the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) that are carrying out a private investigation into graft related to Odebrecht contract work in the Americas. On 25 June 2019, media in the Americas began to release the findings of their inquiries into the data.
Ortega explained that the new files give specific details to US$39 million that was transferred by Odebrecht to companies that received payments from the Structured Division that Odebrecht admitted to Brazilian and US judiciary was used to pay bribes to expedite contract work. The Structured Division was based in the Dominican Republic.
Ortega said that many of these findings had already been provided to the Attorney General Office but Dominican prosecutors have not acted on the information. She said that what is new is that the files that the ICIJ journalists have had access to are linked explicitly to a “thermo plant.” The only thermoelectrical plant carried out by Odebrecht is the Punta Catalina thermoelectric 752MW coal-fired plant in the Dominican Republic.
Ortega says that the Attorney General Office under Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez has already demanded she hand in over the files. She said that she advised the prosecutors to do their own search as the material is now public. As a result of a previous investigation, Ortega had been required to turn in her findings on corruption in the Santo Domingo Metro Office by engineer Diandino Peña. She did so, but neither she nor the general public is aware of any actions by the prosecutors to follow up on the evidence of corruption she uncovered in that case.
Before the airing of her investigative report, in a telephone interview with Mariasela Alvarez for “Esta Noche con Mariasela,” Ortega confirmed that the offshore company, Bakers Street Financial owned by Dominican economist Andres Dauhajre, received a transfer for US$3.3 million from the Structured Division payment scheme. Speaking during the “Esta Noche con Mariasela” TV show, PRM deputy Faride Raful, who has been following Punta Catalina corruption since 2015, said that Dauhajre had been previously hired in November 2013 by the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE) to assess the power plant valuation then set at US$2 billion. He was contracted for US$750,000 for that consultancy. Subsequently, in January 2014, Dauhajre was hired by Odebrecht and advised Odebrecht on finding financing for the coal-fired power plant. Ortega spoke with Dauhajre who told her that the US$3.3 million payment was for his consultancy services.
Deputy Raful remarked that since she became a deputy in 2016, she has presented evidence of corruption related to the Punta Catalina power plant in Congress but has been ignored. She gave evidence of the illegal credit line the Banco de Reservas has provided to the power plant, without congressional approval, she remarked on the TV show.
Raful was also critical that the Attorney General did not proceed on irregularities detected by the official commission called by President Danilo Medina to study the Punta Catalina plant. The Attorney General decided not to include the Punta Catalina plant in the US$92 million Odebrecht bribes case that is being heard in the Supreme Court. Deputy Raful says that the good news is that with a new attorney general in a new government that could come in the May 2020 general election, the case could be tried. Raful said the power plant originally would have cost US$940 million, but this has climbed to a contracted US$2 billion and now estimates of costs of more than US$3 billion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnKdwdJYwEs -- Informe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P_8lKa97Fc&app=desktop -- Faride Raful with Mariasela Alvarez and Diana Lora
https://eldia.com.do/el-gobierno-ha-pagado-us411-millones-mas-por-las-plantas/
https://n.com.do/2019/06/27/bien-co...al-de-medina-por-presunto-sobornos-odebrecht/
https://n.com.do/2019/06/27/empresa...agos-ocultos-de-odebrecht-por-punta-catalina/
ICIJ identifies US$39 million more in Odebrecht hidden payments
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) reported on 25 June 2019 that Odebrecht's bribery scandal is even more significant than the Brazilian construction company has acknowledged. It highlights that the bribes involve prominent figures and massive public works projects in Latin America that had not been mentioned in the criminal cases or other official inquiries to date. The leaked findings are part of more than 13,000 documents that had been stored by the Division of Structured Operations on a secret communications platform known as Drousys. The division was located in the Dominican Republic under the convicted Joao Santana, who also served as strategic political campaign consultant to President Danilo Medina.
The Drousys records were obtained by the Ecuadorian news organization La Posta and shared with ICIJ and its 17 media partners across the Americas.
Among the findings is more than US$39 million in secret Odebrecht payments made in connection with the Dominican Republic's 752MW Punta Catalina coal-fired power plant. Dominican economist Andres Dauhajre, of the Economy and Development Foundation, is one of the first now linked to the Odebrecht corruption case in the Drousys platform findings. The files include many code names that have yet to be matched with the beneficiaries. In the case of Punta Catalina, this is mentioned as “thermo plant” in the files, and is the only thermoelectrical plant built by Odebrecht.
The Odebrecht-Technimont-Estrella consortium was awarded a contract of more than US$2 billion to build the power plant, hundreds of millions of dollars more than some of the bids by its sidelined competitors.
Carlos Pimentel, executive director of the Dominican anti-corruption group, Participación Ciudadana, told ICIJ that the graft associated with the Punta Catalina power plant and the inadequacy of the government's response undermines the credibility of the country's political institutions. "There is a system of complicity in the country for the enrichment of a minority, in the public and private sectors, based on the impoverishment of the majority," Pimentel said. "That is what the Odebrecht case has left."
In December 2016, Odebrecht admitted to the US Justice Department having paid more than US$788 million in bribes from 2001 to 2016, including US$92 million in the Dominican Republic.
https://www.icij.org/investigations...ents-in-odebrecht-cash-for-contracts-scandal/
https://n.com.do/2019/06/26/toda-la...so-odebrecht-presentado-por-el-grupo-convoca/
CNN says Americans more likely to be killed in US than in DR
US media continues to focus on recent deaths of US citizens in the Dominican Republic. The hype is affecting travel. Delta Airlines recently announced it would be flexible on flight plans for ticket sales to the country.
Around 2.2 million US tourists traveled to the DR in 2018. So far in 2019, 10 American citizens have been reported dead of health issues in the country, according to the US State Department.
A feature in CNN today shares data indicating that the DR has lower rates of unnatural deaths than Jamaica and Bahamas. Both countries are benefiting from cancellations after the country has catapulted into the spotlight and press report in the US keep toll of each death or illness of a tourist in the country that is the leading destination for US tourists in the Caribbean.
CNN reports that in 2018, the rate of unnatural deaths of Americans in Jamaica was 1.04 per 100,000. That's higher than in the Bahamas (0.71 per 100,000) and the Dominican Republic (0.58 per 100,000).
Autopsies carried out on tourist victims show that most of these have died of natural causes from heart attacks. Dominican resorts are generous in food and free liquor served at the all-inclusive facilities.
The Ministry of Tourism requested Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) assistance to carry out toxicology tests of three victims that died within two weeks at the same tourism complex to rule out or determine actions regarding pesticides or adulterated alcohol or other substances.
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/25/americas/dominican-republic-american-deaths-context/index.html
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/25/business/dominican-republic-delta-trnd/index.html
Six dead, 13 injured in Maimón-Cotuí road accident
Police report that six persons died and 13 were injured in a road crash between a truck and a minibus. Most of the occupants of the minibus were relatives and friends that were traveling from Maimón to Cotuí for a funeral on Wednesday, 26 June 2019.
The accident occurred on the Maimón highway, on the second bridge, near the Maimón Cooperative in Monseñor Nouel province. The minibus with 20 persons was hit by the truck that attempted an imprudent pass. The accident occurred when heavy rains were following. The injured were taken to hospitals in Bonao, Cotuí and La Vega.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...nte-en-maimon-iban-para-un-velorio-JA13207178
Venezuelans accused of US$1.3 million cash contraband
Dominican law enforcement authorities say that three Venezuelans were arrested at the La Romana International Airport. Those detained are pilot Claudio A. Di Genova and passengers Dominican-Venezuelan Estela Gómez de Rodríguez and Jonnathan Luiciano del Valle Mata Figueroa.
They are accused of attempting to export US$1,378,178 to Venezuela in a small plane, according to the Diario Libre print edition of 27 June 2019. The cash was found in the luggage of the occupants of the flight.
One of the arrested, Jonnathan Luiciano del Valle Mata Figueroa appears in a media report as a Venezuelan government contractor. As reported, he is a Venezuelan military.
http://dncd.gob.do/index.php/notici...a-en-el-aeropuerto-internacional-de-la-romana
https://elpitazo.net/internacional/oficial-capturado-republica-dominicana-contratista-gobierno/
Carolina Rivas and Frank Ceara present: "The Monsters"
The Monsters (Los Monstros), an enlightening Argentine musical comedy, opens at the Palacio de Bellas Artes for 12-14 July 2019. Singers and actors Frank Ceara and Carolina Rivas will star in the dramatic comedy for all the family. The performance is a production by Juancito Rodríguez, winner of a Soberano Award 2019 for his work "Agosto". Indiana Brito is the play's director. The Monsters focuses on the role of parents and their offspring. The Argentinian play has won seven Premios Hugo and four A.C.E. awards and has toured all of Latin America.
Showings will be on Friday, 12 and Saturday 13 July 2019 at 8:30pm and on Sunday, 14 July at 6:30pm
Dominican classics gala at the National Theater
The National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Dante Cucurullo will perform "Dominican Classics of the 20th Century" at the National Theater on Thursday, 27 June 2019 at 8:30pm. The performance gathers several works by national musicians.
The Dominican Petroleum Refinery has funded rescuing these and making recordings and concerts focusing on Dominican classical music so the Dominican public may get to know the musical scores. Refidomsa president, former Tourism Minister Felix (Felucho) Jimenez said that the works of the great Dominican composers of the past are part of the Dominican legacy that cannot be forgotten.
On the program are works by composers Luis Emilio Mena, Enrique Mejía Arredondo, Luis Rivera, Julio Alberto Hernández; Ramón Díaz Freeman, Juan Francisco García and Aura Marina. The concert is based on the suite "Recuerdos de infancia", by Luis Eduardo Mena (1895-1964), with a potpourri of the compositions "En un jardín florido", "La calle ancha", "El farolero de La Puerta del Sol", "Doña Ana", "La viudita del Conde Laurel", "Mambrú se fue a la guerra" and "Duérmete niñito". Also "Tschaikowskyana for violin and orchestra", with violinist Ramses Cid as soloist.
Other works that will be played are "Symphony in A major: Homage to Francisco del Rosario Sánchez" by Enrique Mejía Arredondo (1901-1951). Also "Dominican Rhapsody No. 1 for piano and orchestra" by Luis Rivera (1901-1986) with Elioenai Medina as soloist at the piano.
After the intermission, the program continues with "Tres danzas criollas" by Julio Alberto Hernández (1900-1999), and "Elegía para flauta y orquesta", by Ramón Díaz Freeman (1901-1976) with Víctor Hernández as soloist (flute).
The "Sinfonía No. 1 Quisqueyana in merengue tempo by Juan Francisco García (1892-1974) closes the program.
President Medina attends macadamia processing plant inaugural
Medina summons top businessmen to meet at Presidential Palace
The National Congress under siege
China mission comes to help prepare DR to receive Chinese tourists
US Ambassador visits ITSC community college
Ministry of Environment rejects Puerto Plata city proposed landfill
Alicia Ortega presents details of ICIJ investigation
ICIJ identifies US$39 million more in Odebrecht hidden payments
CNN says Americans more likely to be killed in US than in DR
Six dead, 13 injured in Maimón-Cotuí road accident
Venezuelans accused of US$1.3 million cash contraband
Carolina Rivas and Frank Ceara present: "The Monsters"
Dominican classics gala at the National Theater
Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 1 July 2019
The next DR1 Daily News update will be published on Monday, 1 July 2019. The Monday issue will compile headline news for the previous Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Breaking news can be followed 24/7 in the DR1 Forums. See DR1 Forum at https://dr1.com
President Medina attends macadamia processing plant inaugural
President Danilo Medina was in La Sierra in Santiago province for the inauguration of the La Loma macadamia nut processing plant. The plant is part of a significant effort by the company to make tree planting profitable and encourage landowners in the mountainous area of San Jose de las Matas to switch from cattle ranching to macadamia farming.
Entrepreneur Jesus Moreno, founder of Bon ice cream, and “Mr. Macadamia” in the Dominican Republic, hosted the President on a tour of the innovative US$2 million manufacturing plant. La Loma is a pioneer in macadamia nut planting and processing on a commercial scale in the Caribbean.
During the inauguration, Moreno said in this first phase the company can process 75,000 to 100,000 kilos of macadamia nuts with export quality. The installations incorporates Brazilian, Costa Rican and Dominican technology.
"We are promoting a virtuous crop that provides permanent and seasonal jobs for women, but also stimulates economic activities related to transport and agricultural services," said Moreno. The project benefits more than 1,100 persons, adds jobs, creates a new opportunity for ecotourism development in the mountain farm areas, increases export capacity.
So far 6,700 tareas (1 tarea = 629 square meters) have been planted with macadamia trees in the area, and another 1,800 tareas will be incorporated by June 2020. René Muñoz, president of the association that groups the farmers spoke on behalf of the producers. He said that the cultivation of macadamia in the municipality has had a rapid growth. He estimated 60,000 macadamia trees have been planted.
Accompanying the President on the visit were Leandro Mercedes, deputy minister of Agriculture; Santiago governor Ana María Domínguez and San Jose de las Matas Mayor Roberto Espinal.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...n-inicio-de-operaciones-planta-procesadora-de
Medina summons top businessmen to meet at Presidential Palace
President Danilo Medina invited leading Dominican businessmen to the Presidential Palace on Wednesday, 26 June 2019. The meeting came at a time when the international reputation in the United States has been affected by recent controversial news featured in leading US media.
The meeting also comes at a time when there is speculation President Medina’s followers will call for the National Assembly to meet to reform the 2015 Constitution. Leading polls show that most Dominicans oppose the amendment, but the same polls show that Medina is still the most popular Dominican politician. The government is the principal employer in the Dominican Republic.
The Presidency reports that the businessmen were Juan Vicini, Luis Emilio Velutini, Manuel Estrella, Mario Lama, Héctor José Rizek, Frank Rainieri, Félix García, Fernando Capellán, Francisco Rodríguez, Guillermo Julián and José Clase. Also Micalo Bermúdez, Guillermo Julián, Francisco Rodríguez, Micalo Bermúdez and Fernando Villanueva.
Medina was accompanied by Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta, Interior & Police Minister José Ramón Fadul, Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García, and Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo, all strong supporters of his bid for a third term.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...lizan-visita-de-cortesia-al-presidente-danilo
The National Congress under siege
Military troops have cordoned off the Centro de los Heroes governmental offices area, from Avenida Independencia in the north to the Malecón in the south with the long line of police making this government offices area appear like a war zone. There is speculation that President Danilo Medina’s followers will submit a motion to amend the 2015 Constitution to enable Medina to run for a third period. The proposal is opposed by followers of the president of the PLD, former President Leonel Fernandez, who also seeks to be the ruling political party's presidential candidate in the 2020 general election.
The troops were called in by the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, Reinaldo Pared Perez and Radhames Camacho, both strong supporters of President Danilo Medina and his aspiration to continue in power.
The extending of the military and police protection to the area has caused inconveniences to public employees and those who seek services of the City Government of Santo Domingo, Ministry of Labor, National Hydraulic Resources Institute (Indrhi), Supreme Court and Attorney General Office that are located in the area. As reported, Brigade General Máximo Báez has instructions to only allow in employees that present their work identification.
The president of the National Bureau of Investigations (DNI), Sigfrido Pared Perez told N Digital that the troops were ordered to remain in the area as they had information of a plan to bring chaos to the Congress.
The Listin Diario described the situation as Congress being taken hostage by the internal conflict in the ruling PLD party.
The Wednesday, 26 June 2019, session of the Chamber of Deputies was suspended for lack of quorum.
Opposition party president, senator José Ignacio Paliza said that PRM legislators would abstain from voting in any session until the military and police are removed from the area. “We will not be intimidated,” he said.
http://z101digital.com/amplian-hast...a-el-cerco-militar-y-policial-en-el-congreso/
https://n.com.do/2019/06/26/dni-rev...-ocupar-el-congreso-para-crear-inestabilidad/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...n-rehen-de-la-lucha-interna-que-sacude-al-pld
https://eldia.com.do/camara-de-diputados-suspende-otra-vez-la-sesion-por-falta-de-quorum/
China mission comes to help prepare DR to receive Chinese tourists
The government of the People's Republic of China is working with the Ministry of Tourism to facilitate the arrival of Chinese tourists to the Dominican Republic as part of the agreements between the two nations following the new diplomatic relations that began on 30 April 2018.
A Chinese delegation, headed by the president of the China Tourism Academy and the deputy general manager of Hainan Airlines, the main Chinese private airline and the fourth largest air passenger mover in Asia, are visiting to meet with representatives of the Dominican tourism sector.
Dai Bin, who in addition to being the president of the Chinese Academy of Tourism is also director of the National Tourism Data Center, will lead a day of work with Dominican tourism entrepreneurs so that they can adapt their facilities to the demands of the Chinese traveler.
Meanwhile, Pubin Liang, deputy general manager of Hainan Airlines, is coming to discuss the possibilities of creating routes to facilitate air connections between China and the Dominican Republic. The airline has several routes to the United States.
The mission, completed by Xiangyan Liu, Huang Juang, Yang Zhang, María Brava and Zhang Ye, is accompanied by Dominican ambassador in China, Briuni Garabito.
"For this, we are collaborating with the Dominican business sector so that it can be attractive to them. This mission, important for understanding how the Chinese tourism market works, has been promoted by the Dominican Ministry of Tourism," explained Garabito.
Garabito said the Chinese government is especially interested in the Dominican Republic getting a share of the 130 million a year Chinese tourist market. Earlier this year, representatives of Ctrip visited. The Chinese company handles more than 60% of China's tourism and travel operations.
The Chinese delegation is also scheduled to meet with President Danilo Medina and leading representatives of the tourism industry at the Presidential Palace.
The mission has already met with Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia, and the Ambassador of China in the Dominican Republic, Zhang Run.
During the work visit, Dai Bin told Diario Libre in an interview that if all goes well the Dominican Republic could receive 50,000 Chinese tourists a year. He said that among the recommendations made is the facilities for visas, increase in promotion in China and the start of flights of a more direct air connection between both countries.
https://eldia.com.do/gobierno-chino-inicia-labor-traer-turistas-al-pais/
https://www.diariolibre.com/economia/expectativa-turismo-chino-por-encima-de-posibilidad-OA13205847
http://eng.ctaweb.org/
US Ambassador visits ITSC community college
Engineer Milton Reyes, rector of the Instituto Técnico Superior Comunitario (ITSC), hosted US Ambassador Robin S. Bernstein on her tour of the model community college located in eastern Santo Domingo. As reported, Bernstein spoke of possible agreements to enhance the university's English language education programs. She met with students and received a gift book that includes photos taken by the photography students of the learning center.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...embajadora-robin-bernstein-visita-rector-itsc
Ministry of Environment rejects Puerto Plata city proposed landfill
The Ministry of Environment rejected granting permission to the city government of Puerto Plata for construction of the sanitary landfill in the Cofresí area. The new site that is practically adjacent to the old one met with widespread opposition from the tourism sector in Puerto Plata due to its proximity to hotel enclaves.
The Ministry is evaluating two other sites, including one in the community of Loma de La Bestia that is some three kilometers from the closed landfill in Maggiolo.
Mayor Walter Musa said he had not been notified. In the report, the environmental technicians warn of the severe consequences that the location chosen by the city government would bring.
On the weekend, activists in Puerto Plata protested the construction of the sanitary landfill in the area planned by the municipal authorities and Dominicana Limpia. The 140,000 square meter site had been purchased by the Puerto Plata city government at the cost of RD$52 million.
Recently, Jose Natalio Redondo, president of the Northern Hotels Association (ASHONORTE) reported that the designated delegation is reviewing nine options, which were technically evaluated by the expert in the area, the Mexican Pilar Tello.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/06.../medio-ambiente-rechaza-terreno-para-relleno/
Alicia Ortega presents details of ICIJ investigation
In a special edition of her “El Informe con Alicia Ortega” on Wednesday, 26 June 2019, investigative journalist Alicia Ortega presented findings related to the Dominican Republic included in the ICIJ-La Posta file on corruption by the Brazilian construction firm, Odebrecht. Four months ago, Ortega was invited to be part of the 17 media partners across the Americas that make up the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) that are carrying out a private investigation into graft related to Odebrecht contract work in the Americas. On 25 June 2019, media in the Americas began to release the findings of their inquiries into the data.
Ortega explained that the new files give specific details to US$39 million that was transferred by Odebrecht to companies that received payments from the Structured Division that Odebrecht admitted to Brazilian and US judiciary was used to pay bribes to expedite contract work. The Structured Division was based in the Dominican Republic.
Ortega said that many of these findings had already been provided to the Attorney General Office but Dominican prosecutors have not acted on the information. She said that what is new is that the files that the ICIJ journalists have had access to are linked explicitly to a “thermo plant.” The only thermoelectrical plant carried out by Odebrecht is the Punta Catalina thermoelectric 752MW coal-fired plant in the Dominican Republic.
Ortega says that the Attorney General Office under Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez has already demanded she hand in over the files. She said that she advised the prosecutors to do their own search as the material is now public. As a result of a previous investigation, Ortega had been required to turn in her findings on corruption in the Santo Domingo Metro Office by engineer Diandino Peña. She did so, but neither she nor the general public is aware of any actions by the prosecutors to follow up on the evidence of corruption she uncovered in that case.
Before the airing of her investigative report, in a telephone interview with Mariasela Alvarez for “Esta Noche con Mariasela,” Ortega confirmed that the offshore company, Bakers Street Financial owned by Dominican economist Andres Dauhajre, received a transfer for US$3.3 million from the Structured Division payment scheme. Speaking during the “Esta Noche con Mariasela” TV show, PRM deputy Faride Raful, who has been following Punta Catalina corruption since 2015, said that Dauhajre had been previously hired in November 2013 by the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE) to assess the power plant valuation then set at US$2 billion. He was contracted for US$750,000 for that consultancy. Subsequently, in January 2014, Dauhajre was hired by Odebrecht and advised Odebrecht on finding financing for the coal-fired power plant. Ortega spoke with Dauhajre who told her that the US$3.3 million payment was for his consultancy services.
Deputy Raful remarked that since she became a deputy in 2016, she has presented evidence of corruption related to the Punta Catalina power plant in Congress but has been ignored. She gave evidence of the illegal credit line the Banco de Reservas has provided to the power plant, without congressional approval, she remarked on the TV show.
Raful was also critical that the Attorney General did not proceed on irregularities detected by the official commission called by President Danilo Medina to study the Punta Catalina plant. The Attorney General decided not to include the Punta Catalina plant in the US$92 million Odebrecht bribes case that is being heard in the Supreme Court. Deputy Raful says that the good news is that with a new attorney general in a new government that could come in the May 2020 general election, the case could be tried. Raful said the power plant originally would have cost US$940 million, but this has climbed to a contracted US$2 billion and now estimates of costs of more than US$3 billion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnKdwdJYwEs -- Informe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P_8lKa97Fc&app=desktop -- Faride Raful with Mariasela Alvarez and Diana Lora
https://eldia.com.do/el-gobierno-ha-pagado-us411-millones-mas-por-las-plantas/
https://n.com.do/2019/06/27/bien-co...al-de-medina-por-presunto-sobornos-odebrecht/
https://n.com.do/2019/06/27/empresa...agos-ocultos-de-odebrecht-por-punta-catalina/
ICIJ identifies US$39 million more in Odebrecht hidden payments
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) reported on 25 June 2019 that Odebrecht's bribery scandal is even more significant than the Brazilian construction company has acknowledged. It highlights that the bribes involve prominent figures and massive public works projects in Latin America that had not been mentioned in the criminal cases or other official inquiries to date. The leaked findings are part of more than 13,000 documents that had been stored by the Division of Structured Operations on a secret communications platform known as Drousys. The division was located in the Dominican Republic under the convicted Joao Santana, who also served as strategic political campaign consultant to President Danilo Medina.
The Drousys records were obtained by the Ecuadorian news organization La Posta and shared with ICIJ and its 17 media partners across the Americas.
Among the findings is more than US$39 million in secret Odebrecht payments made in connection with the Dominican Republic's 752MW Punta Catalina coal-fired power plant. Dominican economist Andres Dauhajre, of the Economy and Development Foundation, is one of the first now linked to the Odebrecht corruption case in the Drousys platform findings. The files include many code names that have yet to be matched with the beneficiaries. In the case of Punta Catalina, this is mentioned as “thermo plant” in the files, and is the only thermoelectrical plant built by Odebrecht.
The Odebrecht-Technimont-Estrella consortium was awarded a contract of more than US$2 billion to build the power plant, hundreds of millions of dollars more than some of the bids by its sidelined competitors.
Carlos Pimentel, executive director of the Dominican anti-corruption group, Participación Ciudadana, told ICIJ that the graft associated with the Punta Catalina power plant and the inadequacy of the government's response undermines the credibility of the country's political institutions. "There is a system of complicity in the country for the enrichment of a minority, in the public and private sectors, based on the impoverishment of the majority," Pimentel said. "That is what the Odebrecht case has left."
In December 2016, Odebrecht admitted to the US Justice Department having paid more than US$788 million in bribes from 2001 to 2016, including US$92 million in the Dominican Republic.
https://www.icij.org/investigations...ents-in-odebrecht-cash-for-contracts-scandal/
https://n.com.do/2019/06/26/toda-la...so-odebrecht-presentado-por-el-grupo-convoca/
CNN says Americans more likely to be killed in US than in DR
US media continues to focus on recent deaths of US citizens in the Dominican Republic. The hype is affecting travel. Delta Airlines recently announced it would be flexible on flight plans for ticket sales to the country.
Around 2.2 million US tourists traveled to the DR in 2018. So far in 2019, 10 American citizens have been reported dead of health issues in the country, according to the US State Department.
A feature in CNN today shares data indicating that the DR has lower rates of unnatural deaths than Jamaica and Bahamas. Both countries are benefiting from cancellations after the country has catapulted into the spotlight and press report in the US keep toll of each death or illness of a tourist in the country that is the leading destination for US tourists in the Caribbean.
CNN reports that in 2018, the rate of unnatural deaths of Americans in Jamaica was 1.04 per 100,000. That's higher than in the Bahamas (0.71 per 100,000) and the Dominican Republic (0.58 per 100,000).
Autopsies carried out on tourist victims show that most of these have died of natural causes from heart attacks. Dominican resorts are generous in food and free liquor served at the all-inclusive facilities.
The Ministry of Tourism requested Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) assistance to carry out toxicology tests of three victims that died within two weeks at the same tourism complex to rule out or determine actions regarding pesticides or adulterated alcohol or other substances.
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/25/americas/dominican-republic-american-deaths-context/index.html
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/25/business/dominican-republic-delta-trnd/index.html
Six dead, 13 injured in Maimón-Cotuí road accident
Police report that six persons died and 13 were injured in a road crash between a truck and a minibus. Most of the occupants of the minibus were relatives and friends that were traveling from Maimón to Cotuí for a funeral on Wednesday, 26 June 2019.
The accident occurred on the Maimón highway, on the second bridge, near the Maimón Cooperative in Monseñor Nouel province. The minibus with 20 persons was hit by the truck that attempted an imprudent pass. The accident occurred when heavy rains were following. The injured were taken to hospitals in Bonao, Cotuí and La Vega.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...nte-en-maimon-iban-para-un-velorio-JA13207178
Venezuelans accused of US$1.3 million cash contraband
Dominican law enforcement authorities say that three Venezuelans were arrested at the La Romana International Airport. Those detained are pilot Claudio A. Di Genova and passengers Dominican-Venezuelan Estela Gómez de Rodríguez and Jonnathan Luiciano del Valle Mata Figueroa.
They are accused of attempting to export US$1,378,178 to Venezuela in a small plane, according to the Diario Libre print edition of 27 June 2019. The cash was found in the luggage of the occupants of the flight.
One of the arrested, Jonnathan Luiciano del Valle Mata Figueroa appears in a media report as a Venezuelan government contractor. As reported, he is a Venezuelan military.
http://dncd.gob.do/index.php/notici...a-en-el-aeropuerto-internacional-de-la-romana
https://elpitazo.net/internacional/oficial-capturado-republica-dominicana-contratista-gobierno/
Carolina Rivas and Frank Ceara present: "The Monsters"
The Monsters (Los Monstros), an enlightening Argentine musical comedy, opens at the Palacio de Bellas Artes for 12-14 July 2019. Singers and actors Frank Ceara and Carolina Rivas will star in the dramatic comedy for all the family. The performance is a production by Juancito Rodríguez, winner of a Soberano Award 2019 for his work "Agosto". Indiana Brito is the play's director. The Monsters focuses on the role of parents and their offspring. The Argentinian play has won seven Premios Hugo and four A.C.E. awards and has toured all of Latin America.
Showings will be on Friday, 12 and Saturday 13 July 2019 at 8:30pm and on Sunday, 14 July at 6:30pm
Dominican classics gala at the National Theater
The National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Dante Cucurullo will perform "Dominican Classics of the 20th Century" at the National Theater on Thursday, 27 June 2019 at 8:30pm. The performance gathers several works by national musicians.
The Dominican Petroleum Refinery has funded rescuing these and making recordings and concerts focusing on Dominican classical music so the Dominican public may get to know the musical scores. Refidomsa president, former Tourism Minister Felix (Felucho) Jimenez said that the works of the great Dominican composers of the past are part of the Dominican legacy that cannot be forgotten.
On the program are works by composers Luis Emilio Mena, Enrique Mejía Arredondo, Luis Rivera, Julio Alberto Hernández; Ramón Díaz Freeman, Juan Francisco García and Aura Marina. The concert is based on the suite "Recuerdos de infancia", by Luis Eduardo Mena (1895-1964), with a potpourri of the compositions "En un jardín florido", "La calle ancha", "El farolero de La Puerta del Sol", "Doña Ana", "La viudita del Conde Laurel", "Mambrú se fue a la guerra" and "Duérmete niñito". Also "Tschaikowskyana for violin and orchestra", with violinist Ramses Cid as soloist.
Other works that will be played are "Symphony in A major: Homage to Francisco del Rosario Sánchez" by Enrique Mejía Arredondo (1901-1951). Also "Dominican Rhapsody No. 1 for piano and orchestra" by Luis Rivera (1901-1986) with Elioenai Medina as soloist at the piano.
After the intermission, the program continues with "Tres danzas criollas" by Julio Alberto Hernández (1900-1999), and "Elegía para flauta y orquesta", by Ramón Díaz Freeman (1901-1976) with Víctor Hernández as soloist (flute).
The "Sinfonía No. 1 Quisqueyana in merengue tempo by Juan Francisco García (1892-1974) closes the program.