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Still no announcement about constitutional reform
PRM deputies break with party order to abstain from voting
Donni Santana is out of the 2020 electoral race
National Salaries’ Committee talks continue
Dengue cases still rising
National Congress still surrounded by military
More WiFi hotspots
WhatsApp takes first place
Abused minor may be pregnant
Marijuana haul in Azua province
LJ Figueroa to play on Dominican national basketball team
Still no announcement about constitutional reform
President Danilo Medina has said “almost, almost” to the press when asked about when he will talk about whether he would seek a third term. Medina has been President since 2012.
The 2015 Constitution impedes President Medina from running again, and there is much speculation on whether he could secure a second constitutional amendment to run again. Polls show he is the highest ranked ruling PLD party politician. Fernández, in turn, is the second most popular, according to leading polls. The 2015 Constitution enables Fernández to run for what would be his fourth term in office (1996-2000, 2004-2008, 2008-2012).
Medina made the comment on Monday, 1 July 2019 on his return to the country after attending the inauguration of Panamanian president Laurentino Cortizo. Also at the inaugural were the presidents of Peru, Martín Vizcarra; of Colombia, Iván Duque; of Guatemala, Jimmy Morales; of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández; and Evo Morales, of Bolivia.
Medina returned to the Dominican Republic at 6pm of the same day he traveled to Panama, landing at the San Isidro Air Force base. He was accompanied by José Ramón Peralta, Administrative Minister of the Presidency; Miguel Vargas, Minister of Foreign Relations; Roberto Rodríguez Marchena, government spokesman and director general of communications; Carlos Pared Pérez and Robert de la Cruz, his special assistants and Major General Adán Cáceres Silvestre, head of the Presidential Security Corps.
President Danilo Medina and former President Leonel Fernández differ over who should be the ruling PLD party presidential candidate for the May 2020 general election. The long-running impasse has begun to affect investment and daily activities in the Dominican Republic.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...idente-hablara-sobre-la-reeleccion-GF13256541
https://hoy.com.do/video-para-que-n...dina-dice-casi-casi-hablara-de-la-reeleccion/
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/en-directo/danilo-y-leonel-un-conflicto-sistemico-IG13263083
PRM deputies break with party order to abstain from voting
More than 10 deputies from the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRM) ignored the opposition party line to not vote for any legislative initiative until the cordoning off of the National Congress is discontinued. There is speculation this could mean the deputies may consider backing the ruling PLD party if it presents a proposal to amend the Constitution. Followers of President Danilo Medina are intent on submitting a bill to convene Congress to study the proposed amendment that would allow Medina to run for a third term. This is vehemently opposed by followers of former President Leonel Fernandez. Fernandez, who is president of the PLD, wants to run for President again. It would be his fourth presidency if he is elected in May 2020.
The PRM legislators voted for the resolution that requests that the Ministry of Public Works (MOPC) and the Supervisory Office for Public Works (OISOE) carry out works to rebuild the dike at the Aglipo II Project over Yuna River in Duarte province.
The initiative had been presented by nine legislators, including PRM deputies José Luís Rodríguez, Franklin Romero, Nicolás Tolentino López Mercado and Adelis de Jesús Olivares. Other PRM deputies that voted for the bill were Jorge Bernard, Manuel Bernard, Robinson Díaz, Francisco Santos, José Morel, Nicolás de la Rosa, Miledys Suero, Jean Luís Rodríguez and Eduard Jorge.
The bill passed with the vote of the PRM legislators, that of those who back President Danilo Medina, and legislators representing the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC). Legislators that are loyal to Leonel Fernández abstained from the vote.
The PRM had ordered its legislators to not vote for the bills until the military and police troops around the Congress are removed.
In a separate incident, tensions escalated in the Chamber of Deputies after PRM deputies said that a military had entered to film the remarks being made by opposition party deputy, Faride Raful of the PRM. The legislative sessions are recorded and leading media have posted units to cover Congress incidents given the tense situation.
https://n.com.do/2019/07/02/mas-de-...n-linea-partidaria-y-votan-durante-la-sesion/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...pacion-de-faride-raful-en-camara-de-diputados
Donni Santana is out of the 2020 electoral race
Former ambassador Donni Mayobanex Santana Cuevas desisted from his intent to gain a legislative post in the 2020 general election. The registration of his pre-candidacy for deputy for the province of Independencia on 29 May 2019 has met with widespread protests in the media. Santana is being tried for sexually abusing his stepdaughter. Cuevas was accused in 2018 of incest against his 14-year old stepdaughter. Prior to the case of sexual abuse, he was the ambassador for the National Border Council.
"Today, understanding the moment, I have decided to postpone this proposal to culminate with the behemoth of the process I am following. I have always said that God is my Justice, that truth floats like a cork, I have reiterated my innocence, and I will continue to reiterate it," Santana wrote in his letter to the ruling PLD party National Electoral Commission.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/07...tira-aspiraciones-a-precandidatura-en-el-pld/
National Salaries’ Committee talks continue
Once again, the National Salaries Committee (CNS) is meeting to discuss minimum wage increases. The CNS is made up by representatives of government, labor unions and employers and focuses on the private, non-sectorized sector.
The tri-party representatives met on 2 July 2019 at the Labor Ministry to resume discussions on the percentage increase for the minimum salary for the private sector. The impasse has been because of the employers’ stand that businesses need to be reclassified according to the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Law 187-17 before the setting of new minimum wage levels.
The labor unions had complained that the 12% increase proposed by the employers would only be equivalent to RD$61 per day. They have been asking for a 30% increase. This would bring the minimum wage from RD$15,400 a month at present toRD$20,081 in a large company. In a medium-sized company, the minimum wage would increase from RD$10,620 to RD$13,806 and in a small company from RD$9,401.60 to RD$12,235.08.
Rafael (Pepe) Abreu, spokesman for labor, complained that the country had 14 different levels of the minimum salary, depending on the sector, at a time when the basic family basket costs a little more than RD$31,000 a month.
A next meeting has been convened for Thursday, 18 July 2019 to continue the talks. Following the 2 July meeting, Abreu said that the labor sector would accept a retroactive 25% increase, but no reclassifying of the companies.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...cuten-otra-vez-el-aumento-de-salarios-minimos
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...-sin-acuerdo-para-aumento-salarial-MG13261915
Dengue cases still rising
June ended with significant increases in suspected dengue cases in the leading pediatric hospitals in the capital. One public hospital reported 212 cases of children with possible dengue.
Last weekend the Robert Reid Cabral Children’s Hospital admitted 28 cases, ending the month with 179 cases, some 25 more than in May, and reaching 620 cases in the first six months of the year, according to deputy director, Clemente Terrero.
So far this year, 17 children have died of what is thought to be dengue, even though official records state no deaths from dengue this year.
At the Santo Socorro Respiratory Disease Hospital, last month suspected dengue cases peaked at 33, according to director Lucas Gómez. The Hugo Mendoza Children’s Hospital has also seen an increase in cases, with the head of epidemiology, Manuel Colomé, saying that this strain of dengue was more aggressive than ones they had seen previously.
Private hospitals are also reporting increases in dengue cases. Rafael Mena, president of the Association of Private Hospitals and Clinics (Andeclip) has urged doctors to be aware of the symptoms of the disease that include fever, headache, aching of the eyes, lack of appetite and a rash in some cases.
Of the cases analyzed in the reports of the Epidemiology Department, some 75% tested positive for dengue.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...s-de-dengue-en-2-centros-pediatricos-en-junio
National Congress still surrounded by military
The National Congress continued to be heavily militarized as of Tuesday, 2 July 2019. The presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies had asked for the troops to prevent protest demonstrations against the motion to amend the Constitution to enable President Danilo Medina to run for a third term.
The cordoning off the building extends for three streets, all the way to Av. Independencia in the North and the Malecón in the South.
Puerto Plata senator Ignacio Paliza, of the PRM opposition party, told journalists he was prevented from entering by the security staff.
Senate president Reinaldo Pared Pérez (PLD-National District) has confirmed they would be keeping police and military as long as the threats of demonstration and occupation continued.
He reiterated that the decision to militarize the Congress area was taken after Defense Minister Rubén Darío Paulino Sen and Police director General Ney Aldrin Batista had told him and the president of the Chamber of Deputies Radames Camacho that they had information that a takeover of Congress by protestors was planned. Time is running out for Medina followers to start the procedures to amend the Constitution. The Central Electoral Board deadline for registration of candidates is 22 August 2019. The primary is set for 6 October 2019.
https://eldia.com.do/refuerzan-otra-vez-vigilancia-policiaco-militar-en-alrededores-del-congreso/
More WiFi hotspots
Altice Dominicana has announced the installation of 100 more WiFi hotspots as part of the collaboration agreement the company has with the state.
With the establishment of these new WiFi access points, the company is complying with the commitment made with the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) and the Digital Republic program that started in 2018. The engagement is to have 600 WiFi hotspots throughout the country by 2020.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...ana-anuncia-la-instalacion-de-100-puntos-wifi
WhatsApp takes first place
According to Statista.com, the social network most used by Dominicans is not Facebook, Instagram or YouTube, but rather WhatsApp.
Whatsapp is the preferred social network, with 77% of the social network users in the country.
This is followed by Facebook with 73%, YouTube at 46% and Instagram with 41%.
Even though Instagram is in fourth place, the Dominican Republic is one of the countries with the highest penetration of the app.
In fifth place is Snapchat with 23%, then Twitter with 21%, and finally LinkedIn and Tumblr with 4% each.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...cial-mas-usada-por-los-dominicanos-FF13257651
Abused minor may be pregnant
The young girl M.H. who was a victim of sexual abuse by a police colonel and a general is pregnant, according to doctors. Also, the psychological forensic report, following an interview with the 17-year old teenager, on 24 June 2019 by Dr. Rosa Yudelka de los Santos, confirms that General José Alejandro Antonio Acosta Castellanos and Colonel Ángel Antonio Bautista Piña sexually abused the minor.
The two officials are accused of the abuse following the publication of a video showing her having sex with the colonel and later appearing in several photos with the general.
General Jose Alejandro Antonio Acosta Castellanos was serving as commander of the Cibao Central region and was suspended from the position.
The media reported that the general allegedly paid for at least two abortions for the girl, with whom he had been having sexual relations since she was 15 years old.
Being interviewed by the National District Prosecutor, the mother of the child, whose name is not published for legal reasons, explained that the girl was sent by the colonel to the Rafey Jail to visit a supposed drug dealer to extort RD$120,000 from him. She said that the colonel dressed her in a police uniform, gave her a pistol and sent her to the jail to get the money. However, the supposed drug capo slapped her, took the gun, and when the General found out what had happened, he told her to leave for the capital since if anything happened to her, it would be the fault of the colonel.
The mother went on to say that the colonel told her daughter that if she, the mother, was going to accuse the colonel and make him stand trial for the video, that she should do the same for the general as he had been the girl’s first boyfriend.
She then said that she had a meeting with the general to come to an agreement, and he gave her a television, a refrigerator and a bed. She defended the general saying he had never wanted to hurt her daughter. She then said that after the video had appeared, her daughter wished to continue her relationship with the general, but that she had not gone to Santiago to see him, although they had stayed in contact.
The mother acknowledged her daughter was blackmailing the general with the photos of them both.
Talking about her daughter’s pregnancy, she said that she only found out recently as her daughter was taking contraceptives and although she was pregnant, the family is not sure who the father is.
The colonel and general were sent to pre-trial custody for three months. They will serve the sentences at the Special Operations Jail in Manoguayabo, West Santo Domingo.
https://hoy.com.do/general-y-corone...-meses-por-abuso-sexual-contra-menor-de-edad/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...el-de-rafey-a-extorsionar-a-un-presunto-narco
https://eldia.com.do/adolescente-ab...l-y-un-coronel-de-la-policia-esta-embarazada/
https://hoy.com.do/caso-general-y-coronel-adolescente-que-fue-supuestamente-abusada-esta-embarazada/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...tada-al-general-acosta-castellanos-CG13262303
Marijuana haul in Azua province
Officials of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) have confiscated 40 pounds of marijuana and arrested a man and a woman who were travelling through the checkpoint at kilometer 15 in the province of Azua. The authorities were carrying out an operation on the Sanchez Highway and intercepted an SUV where they found the drugs hidden under the vehicle at the back. Also confiscated were several cell phones, a suitcase containing jewelry and the vehicle.
https://hoy.com.do/dos-personas-llevaban-40-libras-de-marihuana-escondida-en-yipeta-en-azua/
LJ Figueroa to play on Dominican national basketball team
6’8 tall L.J. Figueroa of St. John’s University in New York will be playing on the Dominican national team for the first time in the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru from 31 July to 4 August. He joins the team on the heels of what is described as a strong first season in Queens, New York City when he finished third on the team and 14th in the Big East in scoring with 14.4 points per game. His average was good enough for the highest among first-year players in the conference.
The Lawrence, Massachusetts native topped the team and ranked 10th in the league in rebounding with 6.4 boards per outing. He tallied a team-high six double-doubles on the season.
The rising junior now will get a chance to showcase his skills in an international tournament. In the past, Karl Anthony Towns began his international career playing for the Dominican Republic.
In the upcoming Pan Am Games the Dominican Republic is part of Group B that also includes Argentina, Uruguay and Mexico. Puerto Rico, the US, the US Virgin Islands and Venezuela will play their preliminary round in Group A.
Following the Pan Am Games the next important commitment of the Dominican basketball team is the FIBA World Cup 2019, scheduled for China. The Dominican Republic will play Jordan on 1 September at 4:30am (Dominican time) at the Shenzen Bay Sports Center. The World Cup will be played from 31 August to 15 September. The Dominican team is part of Group G. Other teams in that cluster are Jordan, Germany and France. This is only the third time that a Dominican team will play in the World Cup. Previously, the Dominican team played in the Philippines (1978) and Spain (2014).
The tournaments are qualifiers for a ticket to the Tokyo Summer Olympics.
https://redstormsports.com/news/201...esent-dominican-republic-at-pan-am-games.aspx
https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/2019/6/29/19945583/lj-figueroa-pan-am-games-dominican-republic
PRM deputies break with party order to abstain from voting
Donni Santana is out of the 2020 electoral race
National Salaries’ Committee talks continue
Dengue cases still rising
National Congress still surrounded by military
More WiFi hotspots
WhatsApp takes first place
Abused minor may be pregnant
Marijuana haul in Azua province
LJ Figueroa to play on Dominican national basketball team
Still no announcement about constitutional reform
President Danilo Medina has said “almost, almost” to the press when asked about when he will talk about whether he would seek a third term. Medina has been President since 2012.
The 2015 Constitution impedes President Medina from running again, and there is much speculation on whether he could secure a second constitutional amendment to run again. Polls show he is the highest ranked ruling PLD party politician. Fernández, in turn, is the second most popular, according to leading polls. The 2015 Constitution enables Fernández to run for what would be his fourth term in office (1996-2000, 2004-2008, 2008-2012).
Medina made the comment on Monday, 1 July 2019 on his return to the country after attending the inauguration of Panamanian president Laurentino Cortizo. Also at the inaugural were the presidents of Peru, Martín Vizcarra; of Colombia, Iván Duque; of Guatemala, Jimmy Morales; of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández; and Evo Morales, of Bolivia.
Medina returned to the Dominican Republic at 6pm of the same day he traveled to Panama, landing at the San Isidro Air Force base. He was accompanied by José Ramón Peralta, Administrative Minister of the Presidency; Miguel Vargas, Minister of Foreign Relations; Roberto Rodríguez Marchena, government spokesman and director general of communications; Carlos Pared Pérez and Robert de la Cruz, his special assistants and Major General Adán Cáceres Silvestre, head of the Presidential Security Corps.
President Danilo Medina and former President Leonel Fernández differ over who should be the ruling PLD party presidential candidate for the May 2020 general election. The long-running impasse has begun to affect investment and daily activities in the Dominican Republic.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...idente-hablara-sobre-la-reeleccion-GF13256541
https://hoy.com.do/video-para-que-n...dina-dice-casi-casi-hablara-de-la-reeleccion/
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/en-directo/danilo-y-leonel-un-conflicto-sistemico-IG13263083
PRM deputies break with party order to abstain from voting
More than 10 deputies from the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRM) ignored the opposition party line to not vote for any legislative initiative until the cordoning off of the National Congress is discontinued. There is speculation this could mean the deputies may consider backing the ruling PLD party if it presents a proposal to amend the Constitution. Followers of President Danilo Medina are intent on submitting a bill to convene Congress to study the proposed amendment that would allow Medina to run for a third term. This is vehemently opposed by followers of former President Leonel Fernandez. Fernandez, who is president of the PLD, wants to run for President again. It would be his fourth presidency if he is elected in May 2020.
The PRM legislators voted for the resolution that requests that the Ministry of Public Works (MOPC) and the Supervisory Office for Public Works (OISOE) carry out works to rebuild the dike at the Aglipo II Project over Yuna River in Duarte province.
The initiative had been presented by nine legislators, including PRM deputies José Luís Rodríguez, Franklin Romero, Nicolás Tolentino López Mercado and Adelis de Jesús Olivares. Other PRM deputies that voted for the bill were Jorge Bernard, Manuel Bernard, Robinson Díaz, Francisco Santos, José Morel, Nicolás de la Rosa, Miledys Suero, Jean Luís Rodríguez and Eduard Jorge.
The bill passed with the vote of the PRM legislators, that of those who back President Danilo Medina, and legislators representing the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC). Legislators that are loyal to Leonel Fernández abstained from the vote.
The PRM had ordered its legislators to not vote for the bills until the military and police troops around the Congress are removed.
In a separate incident, tensions escalated in the Chamber of Deputies after PRM deputies said that a military had entered to film the remarks being made by opposition party deputy, Faride Raful of the PRM. The legislative sessions are recorded and leading media have posted units to cover Congress incidents given the tense situation.
https://n.com.do/2019/07/02/mas-de-...n-linea-partidaria-y-votan-durante-la-sesion/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...pacion-de-faride-raful-en-camara-de-diputados
Donni Santana is out of the 2020 electoral race
Former ambassador Donni Mayobanex Santana Cuevas desisted from his intent to gain a legislative post in the 2020 general election. The registration of his pre-candidacy for deputy for the province of Independencia on 29 May 2019 has met with widespread protests in the media. Santana is being tried for sexually abusing his stepdaughter. Cuevas was accused in 2018 of incest against his 14-year old stepdaughter. Prior to the case of sexual abuse, he was the ambassador for the National Border Council.
"Today, understanding the moment, I have decided to postpone this proposal to culminate with the behemoth of the process I am following. I have always said that God is my Justice, that truth floats like a cork, I have reiterated my innocence, and I will continue to reiterate it," Santana wrote in his letter to the ruling PLD party National Electoral Commission.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/07...tira-aspiraciones-a-precandidatura-en-el-pld/
National Salaries’ Committee talks continue
Once again, the National Salaries Committee (CNS) is meeting to discuss minimum wage increases. The CNS is made up by representatives of government, labor unions and employers and focuses on the private, non-sectorized sector.
The tri-party representatives met on 2 July 2019 at the Labor Ministry to resume discussions on the percentage increase for the minimum salary for the private sector. The impasse has been because of the employers’ stand that businesses need to be reclassified according to the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Law 187-17 before the setting of new minimum wage levels.
The labor unions had complained that the 12% increase proposed by the employers would only be equivalent to RD$61 per day. They have been asking for a 30% increase. This would bring the minimum wage from RD$15,400 a month at present toRD$20,081 in a large company. In a medium-sized company, the minimum wage would increase from RD$10,620 to RD$13,806 and in a small company from RD$9,401.60 to RD$12,235.08.
Rafael (Pepe) Abreu, spokesman for labor, complained that the country had 14 different levels of the minimum salary, depending on the sector, at a time when the basic family basket costs a little more than RD$31,000 a month.
A next meeting has been convened for Thursday, 18 July 2019 to continue the talks. Following the 2 July meeting, Abreu said that the labor sector would accept a retroactive 25% increase, but no reclassifying of the companies.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...cuten-otra-vez-el-aumento-de-salarios-minimos
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...-sin-acuerdo-para-aumento-salarial-MG13261915
Dengue cases still rising
June ended with significant increases in suspected dengue cases in the leading pediatric hospitals in the capital. One public hospital reported 212 cases of children with possible dengue.
Last weekend the Robert Reid Cabral Children’s Hospital admitted 28 cases, ending the month with 179 cases, some 25 more than in May, and reaching 620 cases in the first six months of the year, according to deputy director, Clemente Terrero.
So far this year, 17 children have died of what is thought to be dengue, even though official records state no deaths from dengue this year.
At the Santo Socorro Respiratory Disease Hospital, last month suspected dengue cases peaked at 33, according to director Lucas Gómez. The Hugo Mendoza Children’s Hospital has also seen an increase in cases, with the head of epidemiology, Manuel Colomé, saying that this strain of dengue was more aggressive than ones they had seen previously.
Private hospitals are also reporting increases in dengue cases. Rafael Mena, president of the Association of Private Hospitals and Clinics (Andeclip) has urged doctors to be aware of the symptoms of the disease that include fever, headache, aching of the eyes, lack of appetite and a rash in some cases.
Of the cases analyzed in the reports of the Epidemiology Department, some 75% tested positive for dengue.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...s-de-dengue-en-2-centros-pediatricos-en-junio
National Congress still surrounded by military
The National Congress continued to be heavily militarized as of Tuesday, 2 July 2019. The presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies had asked for the troops to prevent protest demonstrations against the motion to amend the Constitution to enable President Danilo Medina to run for a third term.
The cordoning off the building extends for three streets, all the way to Av. Independencia in the North and the Malecón in the South.
Puerto Plata senator Ignacio Paliza, of the PRM opposition party, told journalists he was prevented from entering by the security staff.
Senate president Reinaldo Pared Pérez (PLD-National District) has confirmed they would be keeping police and military as long as the threats of demonstration and occupation continued.
He reiterated that the decision to militarize the Congress area was taken after Defense Minister Rubén Darío Paulino Sen and Police director General Ney Aldrin Batista had told him and the president of the Chamber of Deputies Radames Camacho that they had information that a takeover of Congress by protestors was planned. Time is running out for Medina followers to start the procedures to amend the Constitution. The Central Electoral Board deadline for registration of candidates is 22 August 2019. The primary is set for 6 October 2019.
https://eldia.com.do/refuerzan-otra-vez-vigilancia-policiaco-militar-en-alrededores-del-congreso/
More WiFi hotspots
Altice Dominicana has announced the installation of 100 more WiFi hotspots as part of the collaboration agreement the company has with the state.
With the establishment of these new WiFi access points, the company is complying with the commitment made with the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) and the Digital Republic program that started in 2018. The engagement is to have 600 WiFi hotspots throughout the country by 2020.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...ana-anuncia-la-instalacion-de-100-puntos-wifi
WhatsApp takes first place
According to Statista.com, the social network most used by Dominicans is not Facebook, Instagram or YouTube, but rather WhatsApp.
Whatsapp is the preferred social network, with 77% of the social network users in the country.
This is followed by Facebook with 73%, YouTube at 46% and Instagram with 41%.
Even though Instagram is in fourth place, the Dominican Republic is one of the countries with the highest penetration of the app.
In fifth place is Snapchat with 23%, then Twitter with 21%, and finally LinkedIn and Tumblr with 4% each.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...cial-mas-usada-por-los-dominicanos-FF13257651
Abused minor may be pregnant
The young girl M.H. who was a victim of sexual abuse by a police colonel and a general is pregnant, according to doctors. Also, the psychological forensic report, following an interview with the 17-year old teenager, on 24 June 2019 by Dr. Rosa Yudelka de los Santos, confirms that General José Alejandro Antonio Acosta Castellanos and Colonel Ángel Antonio Bautista Piña sexually abused the minor.
The two officials are accused of the abuse following the publication of a video showing her having sex with the colonel and later appearing in several photos with the general.
General Jose Alejandro Antonio Acosta Castellanos was serving as commander of the Cibao Central region and was suspended from the position.
The media reported that the general allegedly paid for at least two abortions for the girl, with whom he had been having sexual relations since she was 15 years old.
Being interviewed by the National District Prosecutor, the mother of the child, whose name is not published for legal reasons, explained that the girl was sent by the colonel to the Rafey Jail to visit a supposed drug dealer to extort RD$120,000 from him. She said that the colonel dressed her in a police uniform, gave her a pistol and sent her to the jail to get the money. However, the supposed drug capo slapped her, took the gun, and when the General found out what had happened, he told her to leave for the capital since if anything happened to her, it would be the fault of the colonel.
The mother went on to say that the colonel told her daughter that if she, the mother, was going to accuse the colonel and make him stand trial for the video, that she should do the same for the general as he had been the girl’s first boyfriend.
She then said that she had a meeting with the general to come to an agreement, and he gave her a television, a refrigerator and a bed. She defended the general saying he had never wanted to hurt her daughter. She then said that after the video had appeared, her daughter wished to continue her relationship with the general, but that she had not gone to Santiago to see him, although they had stayed in contact.
The mother acknowledged her daughter was blackmailing the general with the photos of them both.
Talking about her daughter’s pregnancy, she said that she only found out recently as her daughter was taking contraceptives and although she was pregnant, the family is not sure who the father is.
The colonel and general were sent to pre-trial custody for three months. They will serve the sentences at the Special Operations Jail in Manoguayabo, West Santo Domingo.
https://hoy.com.do/general-y-corone...-meses-por-abuso-sexual-contra-menor-de-edad/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...el-de-rafey-a-extorsionar-a-un-presunto-narco
https://eldia.com.do/adolescente-ab...l-y-un-coronel-de-la-policia-esta-embarazada/
https://hoy.com.do/caso-general-y-coronel-adolescente-que-fue-supuestamente-abusada-esta-embarazada/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...tada-al-general-acosta-castellanos-CG13262303
Marijuana haul in Azua province
Officials of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) have confiscated 40 pounds of marijuana and arrested a man and a woman who were travelling through the checkpoint at kilometer 15 in the province of Azua. The authorities were carrying out an operation on the Sanchez Highway and intercepted an SUV where they found the drugs hidden under the vehicle at the back. Also confiscated were several cell phones, a suitcase containing jewelry and the vehicle.
https://hoy.com.do/dos-personas-llevaban-40-libras-de-marihuana-escondida-en-yipeta-en-azua/
LJ Figueroa to play on Dominican national basketball team
6’8 tall L.J. Figueroa of St. John’s University in New York will be playing on the Dominican national team for the first time in the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru from 31 July to 4 August. He joins the team on the heels of what is described as a strong first season in Queens, New York City when he finished third on the team and 14th in the Big East in scoring with 14.4 points per game. His average was good enough for the highest among first-year players in the conference.
The Lawrence, Massachusetts native topped the team and ranked 10th in the league in rebounding with 6.4 boards per outing. He tallied a team-high six double-doubles on the season.
The rising junior now will get a chance to showcase his skills in an international tournament. In the past, Karl Anthony Towns began his international career playing for the Dominican Republic.
In the upcoming Pan Am Games the Dominican Republic is part of Group B that also includes Argentina, Uruguay and Mexico. Puerto Rico, the US, the US Virgin Islands and Venezuela will play their preliminary round in Group A.
Following the Pan Am Games the next important commitment of the Dominican basketball team is the FIBA World Cup 2019, scheduled for China. The Dominican Republic will play Jordan on 1 September at 4:30am (Dominican time) at the Shenzen Bay Sports Center. The World Cup will be played from 31 August to 15 September. The Dominican team is part of Group G. Other teams in that cluster are Jordan, Germany and France. This is only the third time that a Dominican team will play in the World Cup. Previously, the Dominican team played in the Philippines (1978) and Spain (2014).
The tournaments are qualifiers for a ticket to the Tokyo Summer Olympics.
https://redstormsports.com/news/201...esent-dominican-republic-at-pan-am-games.aspx
https://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/2019/6/29/19945583/lj-figueroa-pan-am-games-dominican-republic