The Ministry of Foreign Relations has revoked the official passports granted to spouses and children of aldermen nationwide. Diario Libre reported that at least 15 aldermen from southwestern provinces are under investigation and suspect of selling passports for RD$150,000-RD$200,000 to 20 women that have traveled to Europe over the past three weeks. The authorities at the Las Americas International Airport alerted of the situation and called for an investigation after Air Europa refused to board three women that would travel to Italy. Officers at the Department of Migration are also under investigation for authorizing the departure of the suspect women, as reported in Diario Libre.
The Ministry ordered the cancellation of all passports issued to wives and children of aldermen from August 2002.
Gabriel Castro, who presides the city councilors hall in Santo Domingo, protested the decision and said that the Ministry should have investigated the suspect cases instead of issuing an order that has affected all.