After the “buscones”, or those who make a living by using their government connections, had been disposed of during the government enhancement programs of the Fernandez government of 1996-2000, Hoy newspaper reports they are now a practical necessity to cut red tape. The newspaper cites of the case of a woman residing in the US, who wanted to renew her cedula. According to Carmen Lorena Cruz Tejada, she paid RD$1,600 and obtained her documents in two hours, instead of the two months offered at the JCE. She explained she could also have gotten it for RD$1,300 in two days.