A major supplier that demands payment of RD$70 million has embargoed property of the Consorcio Azucarero del Caribe (Conazucar) for lack of payment. Employees of the Consuelo sugar mill of the Mexican company also have embargoed the company, claiming unpaid wages for RD$3 million. El Siglo reports that Conazucar is in the midst of negotiations with a local group for the transfer of its shares and that the Mexican company will abandon its operations in the DR. The company was created when the Mexicans won a tender held to privatize the State Sugar Council (CEA) mills during the past administration. The CEA has authorized the negotiations. The CEA administrator, Victor Manuel Baez said that it will cash in the insurance bond to collect on US$6 million the Mexican company owes for the present harvest. Conazucar had the operation of the Consuelo, Boca Chica, Ozama, Rio Haina and Quisqueya mills. The leading executives of the Mexican company left the country in December.
