The Executive Branch has bestowed the country’s highest honor, the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella, Grand Cross Silver Plaque, to visionary entrepreneur Frank Rainieri Marranzini.
The Grand Cross, Silver Plaque, is usually awarded to members of Congress, magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice, government ministers, ambassadors and the metropolitan archbishop.
The award, formalized in Decree 489-25 was issued by President Luis Abinader and is dated 29 August 2025. It recognizes Rainieri for two key areas:
• His role as Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, where his service “contributed to strengthening bilateral relations” between the Dominican Republic and that diplomatic representation.
• His extensive business career as the visionary founder of Punta Cana.
Rainieri Marranzini is the president and founder of Grupo Puntacana, owner of the Puntacana International Airport, hotels, Diario Libre newspaper and several other companies.
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Diario Libre
Hoy
30 September 2025