President Danilo Medina backed politicians who sought to divide the city of Santiago into two municipalities under two city governments. Medina and signed Law 65-18 that creates Santiago Oeste (Santiago West). The bill had met with widespread opposition by business, community, development, religious entities and the incumbent Santiago mayor that criticized the split saying it is uncalled for in regional plans and will just create more wasteful spending and would not contribute to problem solving. The law says that the new authorities for the municipal district are to be elected in the 2020 general election.
Recently, Santiago city mayor Abel Martinez had expressed he was backing the aspirations of former President Leonel Fernandez to run for a return to the presidency in 2020. Fernandez is seen as President Danilo Medina’s main obstacle in the case he decides to seek a third term.
Areas that will now fall in the new municipal district are:
La Parada 7, San Miguel, El Progreso; Cienfuegos Central, La Emboscada, Monte Rico, Nuevo Milenio, Brisa del Canal II, Barrio Duarte I, Barrio Duarte II, Barrio Duarte III, Los Rieles, La Paz, Ingenio Abajo, Pinar del Río, Mejía, San Lorenzo, Cerro de San Lorenzo, El Nazareno, Llanos del Ingenio. Also Ingenio Arriba, Reparto Villa Fe, La Unión, La Unión II, Monte Rico apartment buildings, Mella II, Cerro de Don Juan, La Torre del Mella I, Mella I apartments, Villa de San Lorenzo, El Fondo de la Botella, Monte Bonito, El Semillero I. Don Jaime, Alegría, Sector Ocho, El Tabaco, San Antonio, ensanche San Lorenzo, Valle Bonito, Alto Bonito, among others.
Read more in Spanish:
Presidencia
2 January 2019
