The case is closed. The 2015 Constitution is clear on the conditions for foreign-born Dominicans to run for President in the Dominican Republic. Despite being able to mislead many for months, it is now official that Jose Luis Ramfis Dominguez Trujillo, the grandson of dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo is not eligible to run for President for the Dominican Republic.
The Central Electoral Board (JCE) was the first to reject his candidacy, yet they did so less than two weeks before the deadline to register candidates. Domínguez Trujillo appealed. The Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE) turned down the appeal. The TSE points out, in their ruling, that according to the documents submitted, Luis Jose Ramfis Dominguez Trujillo is a dual (USA and DR) citizen and has not renounced his United States citizenship. The high court reaffirms in rejecting the appeal that it bases itself on Article 20 of the Constitution.
Art. 20 of the 2015 Constitution establishes, as per the English translation by Fabio Guzman Ariza:
“Dominicans who adopt another nationality, voluntarily or by place of birth, can run for election as President and Vice President of the Dominican Republic, provided that they relinquish their foreign nationality ten years before the election and reside in the country for ten consecutive years before taking office.”
Dominguez Trujillo was issued a Dominican cedula in 2016.
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El Nacional
DR1 Forums
9 March 2020