A medallion bearing the name and face of President Leonel Fernandez has been circulating in the city of Santiago, in the Cibao region. At first the medallions, some made of gold and others of silver, were criticized in some newspapers and programs as a way of taking advantage of the presidency for commercial purposes, but the newspaper El Nacional reports that the producer, George Nader, had previously secured permission from Dr Fernandez himself.
Mr. Nader argues that he is simply following a tradition that dates back to the days of dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo (1930-1961). He says that medallions bearing the face of General Trujillo and ex-presidents Juan Bosch (1963), Joaquin Balaguer (1966-78, 1986-96), Antonio Guzman (1978-82), and Salvador Jorge Blanco (1982-86) have been produced and sold without objection. The medallions, 25 gold, 500 silver and 500 copper were made in Cuba.