Transport union leaders Juan Hubieres of Fenatrado and Antonio Marte of Conatra, whose affiliates’ vehicles are known as “voladoras” with a monopoly on many routes in Santo Domingo, are seeking political recognition from the Central Electoral Board (JCE) for their political parties. Hubieres is a deputy who ran on the ruling PLD party ticket. The parties will then be able to put forward candidates for the Presidency in the May 2016 national election.
The Dominican government awards billions of pesos in funds to the political parties with little accountability. The monopolies are outlawed by the Constitution but tolerated by governments.