A confusing new round of speculations and accusations is making local headlines regarding the infamous Transcore Latam RD$1.31 billion contract for the traffic lights and security in Santo Domingo. The media reports the arrest of Transcore Latam lead contractor Jose Angel (Jochi) Gomez and of transport expert Hugo Beras, the former National Transport Institute (Intrant) director who signed the infamous contract in June 2023, Hugo Beras. Both are temporarily under arrest at the Ciudad Nueva Jail.
In late August 2024, Transcore Latam was accused of terrorism, after the traffic lights system shut down on two days. The speculation is that the company was flexings its muscle to demand what it is that it is demanding from the Dominican government.
As the drama unfolded, last week, a mysterious invitation to a talk with former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo circulated among members of the press. Mike Pompeo is part of Dominican political history for the call he made to former President Danilo Medina to encourage him to desist from attempts to reform the Constitution to enable his running for a third term.
Surprise, the host of the “Four Years Later: A Call to the Future,” talk with Pompeo was Transcore Latam president, Jochi Gomez, smack at the time when he was being questioned for major irregularities regarding the Transcore Latam contract.
As reported, during the discussion with Pompeo, Jochy Gómez would highlight the former US Secretary of State’s support for Transcore Latam’s traffic light operations. He noted Pompeo’s confidence in the company and emphasized the technological collaboration between the United States and the Dominican Republic.
Yet, interestingly, this same Transcore Latam has been accused of fraudulently presenting documentation that Transcore LP and Econolite, two leading US companies, were behind Transcore Latam in order to win the contract. The Intrant and the Procurement Agency at the time accepted the validity of the Transcore LP and Econolite documentation and the contract was signed in June 2023. The two American companies, nevertheless, would challenge Transcore Latam and complain to the DGCP.
The Transcore Latam case imploded in 2023, resulting in the cancellation of Hugo Beras as director of Intrant. Beras says he signed the contract after it was cleared by the Procurement Agency (DGCP) and the Controllers Office.
Milton Morrison, the new director of Intrant, has accused Transcore Latam of sabotage. The traffic light system falls under the realm of the National Institute of Transit and Land Transport (Intrant) now under politician Milton Morrison since August 2024.
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US Secretary of State
3 October 2024