On Monday, 28 January 2019, President Danilo Medina, speaking at the opening of the meeting of the International Socialist Council in Santo Domingo at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, highlighted the support of the Council for rights, freedom, peace and equality in the world. He said that although the Dominican Liberation Party is not a member of the International Socialist coalition, the work and path carried out by the coalition was a reference not only for the PLD but also for all of the progressive parties and movements in Latin America. Medina said that for decades the increase across the world of workers’ rights, women’s rights and freedom of expression were examples of how people could conquer new challenges.
Expected to join the meetings on Tuesday, 29 January 2019, is the president of the Spanish government, socialist Pedro Sánchez. Sanchez is expected to arrive in time for discussions on the Venezuelan crisis and the self-proclamation of National Assembly leader Juan Guaido as interim president. Sanchez recognizes the legitimacy of Guaido if the current president, Nicolas Maduro does not call elections before 3 February 2019.
Sanchez is also scheduled for a Tuesday meeting with President Danilo Medina who has said the Dominican government supports Guaido. On Wednesday, Sanchez will meet with Mexican president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who continues to recognize Maduro, but would like dialogue to be started.
This will be the fourth visit of Sanchez to Latin American since he took office in June of last year, which demonstrates the importance he is giving to the region.
A source from Madrid has confirmed that the Venezuelan crisis will be on the agenda for the bilateral meetings, and that there is strong will between the heads of Mexico and the Dominican Republic to propose constructive initiatives for the region and to find solutions to pressing issues that will benefit the Venezuelan population.
Sanchez said that for Spain and the rest of Europe, it is vital that Venezuela hold free and fair elections, with international observers present, so that the Venezuelan people are able to elect their president without interference.
As far as the Dominican Republic is concerned, sources feel that it will be an important visit, the first official one by a Spanish president since 1996. The DR is a primary tourist destination for Spain with 170,000 Spanish visitors a year, and around 250,000 Dominicans live in Spain.
Read more in Spanish:
El Dia
Listin Diario
29 January 2019
