The Medina Presidency announced around 50 new appointments, but none of these are ministers. More changes could be forthcoming. On Monday, Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta had advanced there would be changes in the Medina administration. Dominican governments have traditionally made cabinet changes prior to the President giving the annual state of the nation speech on occasion of Independence Day, 27 February at the National Congress to highlight achievements of the government.
The Presidency announced Luis Henry Molina will replace José Del Castillo Saviñon as president of the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel). Del Castillo was not named to another position. Molina had been in charge of CEI-RD where he was leading a major overhaul of efforts to increase exports and investments, including the creation of a new public-private entity, Pro Dominicana.
To direct the CEI-RD, President Medina appointed politician Marius de León Pérez, who previously was director of the National System of Pensions and before that a deputy operative director at the Customs Agency. Online sources mention he had been appointed an advisor to the CDEEE with a wage of RD$300,000 in 2012. The same feature in El Nacional explains that he is an accountant and supplier of the government power distributors EdeSur, EdeNorte and EdeNorte through the company Atal Dominicana. Germán Nova was named director of pensions to replace Marius de León Pérez.
The Presidency also announced the appointment of economist and lawyer Chanel Mateo Rosa Chupani as head of the National Health Service (SNS), replacing Dr. Nelson Rodríguez Monegro. Rosa Chupani had successfully led the government health provider, SENASA, who was appointed advisor to the President on the hospital system.
The Presidency announced the appointment of PRD politician and former mayor of Santo Domingo and minister of Tourism, 75-year old Rafael Suberví Bonilla as president of the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Corporations Council (EgeHID). Suberví is a member of the PRD party that was an ally to President Danilo Medina in his quest for re-election in the 2016 election.
Journalist and lawyer Ricardo Rojas León was appointed member of the Monetary Board.
Among the appointments are those of Antonio De León (Tony), as deputy director of the Dominican Agrarian Institute (IAD), and Ángel Canó, director of the National Energy Commission (CNE).
Dozens of other minor appointments, most to missions abroad, are included in the government changes announced on 19 February 2018.
Read more in Spanish:
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias/cambios-en-tren-gubernamental-henry-molina-presidente-indotel-y-chanel-rosa-chupani
eldia.com.do/chanel-rosa-plantea-que-senasa-tiene-un-blindaje-institucional/
elnacional.com.do/cdeee-paga-unos-3-mm-mensuales-en-asesores/
20 February 2018
