After all the denials that he would travel to the U.S. to see doctors, ex-President Dr. Joaqu?n Balaguer quietly departed yesterday morning to Houston, Texas, where he was admitted to Central Methodist Hospital. The 92-year old leader of the Reformista Party (PRSC) flew out at 6:35 am in a special plane from San Isidro Air Base. He has been treated before at Central Methodist for his chronic phlebitis, which reportedly has flared again in recent months. Allies and family members insist that the trip does not signal a deterioration in Dr. Balaguer’s health, that he is simply going for "routine tests" that he has repeatedly postponed. Few believe the denials. Rumors about the ex-President’s health have been rampant since September, when he stopped taking his daily stroll in the Mirador Sur park and his regular visit to his family tomb.
