There are rumors that the US State Department has canceled the B1/B2 visas of a brother and a sister of former President Danilo Medina and his security chief. The Alexis and Magalys Medina Sánchez are in preventive custody and domiciliary arrest, respectively, as a case for corruption in government is heard in Dominican courts. Acento.com.do sources are linked to a US investigative agency. Acento was not able to confirm the tips.
Acento reports that the US visa of Major General Adán Cáceres Silvestre, who served as head of security for former President Danilo Medina (2012-2020) has also been canceled. The general has a lawsuit being heard in court for illicit enrichment and appropriation of public property.
The revocation of the visas in some cases also affects the immediate family members of the Medinas and Cáceres, a trustworthy source told Acento.
Acento recalls that in recent years, the US has revoked the visas of several Dominican officials, politicians and military officials accused of or linked to acts of corruption. The visa cancellation is carried out under the mandate of Section 221 (i) of the US Immigration and Naturalization Act or the Magnitsky Act.
Acento reports that among the most notorious cases are the revocation of US visas of generals Rafael Guillermo Guzmán Fermín, Héctor Medina y Medina, Manuel de Jesús Florentino y Florentino; Pedro Rafael Peña Antonio and Colonel Victor Manuel Crispín Zorrilla, all of them very close to former President Leonel Fernández.
The news media also mentions names of other military and former officials who have seen their visas revoked include today Senator Felix Bautista; the former president of the JCE, Roberto Rosario; former legal advisor to President Hipólito Mejía, Guido Gómez Mazara; the former president of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD), retired general Julio César Souffont Velázquez. Former senator Amable Aristy also had his visa revoked.
Read more in Spanish:
Acento
18 March 2021