High fuel prices and prolonged power outages have led to another wave of protests in the capital and across the country. Confrontations between demonstrators and police took place in the Herrera district of Santo Domingo, leaving three young demonstrators with injuries. In Santiago a large group marched on the local government offices and the electricity company headquarters.
The papers report that more protests are planned for today, in places such as San Juan de la Maguana and Nagua. The barrio neighborhood of Capotillo in Santo Domingo, a frequent site of violent protests, also saw some clashes, leading popular leaders to complain of police repression tactics. Father Osvaldo S?nchez claimed that the police were responsible for the death of trader Juan Lin, who was shot dead in his shop during Monday night?s disturbances.
In response to arrests made during a police sweep on the Villa Mar?a neighborhood, Father Rogelio Cruz said, ?That the people should not be allowed to protest is unheard of ? It is a dictatorship.?
List?n Diario?s main editorial warns that these protests could be merely the start of widespread unrest, in reaction to the economic situation and the failure of measures to curb the rise in the dollar?s exchange rate. It points to what it describes as the positive prospects of an imminent IMF agreement and highlights good economic news, such as the success of the tourism industry. The editorialist exhorts readers to ?look after this oxygen? and not put it at risk by spreading social unrest.