After serving three decades behind bars for the notorious 1996 murder of his younger first cousin, 12-year old José Rafael Llenas Aybar, a 49-year old Mario José Redondo Llenas was released Tuesday, 5 May 2026 from the Najayo Men’s Correctional Center. The case, which decades ago shocked the Dominican Republic due to the brutality of the crime and the family connection involved, reached its legal conclusion as the inmate completed his maximum sentence.
“Today, upon completing a 30-year sentence, I present myself before you with three essential ideas: repentance, respect, and a vocation for service,” Redondo Llenas stated to a throng of reporters gathered outside the facility.
Departure from Najayo
At 07:04am, Redondo Llenas exited the penitentiary complex accompanied by family members and his legal defense team. In his initial remarks, he acknowledged the weight he has carried over the years and reiterated his remorse for the crime that remains etched in the national consciousness.
“Today, once again, I ask forgiveness from my family… and from the society affected by my behavior,” he said.
The former inmate emphasized that he understands the lasting impact of his actions and the profound pain caused to the victims and the community at large.
“I want to make clear my absolute respect. Respect for the pain I have caused, respect for those who have suffered the consequences of my acts, respect for the institutions, and for the society that legitimately demanded justice,” he indicated.
Education and personal change
During his incarceration, Redondo Llenas claimed to have focused his time on academic training and processes of personal transformation. While the Dominican penal system emphasizes rehabilitation, his release marks one of the most high-profile tests of the system’s reformatory goals.
“I participated in educational processes… I completed studies in law and technical training in agriculture,” he affirmed.
However, he was quick to clarify that these academic achievements do not mitigate the gravity of his past actions.
“None of this erases the damage caused. It does not pretend to, but it does evidence that time can be used to build, to reflect, and to change,” he manifested. He further noted that the moral debt for his actions remains permanent. “Even with that burden, I choose to live from a place of service and responsibility,” he added.
Diario Libre reported that during his term in jail, Redondo. had a son, today 21-year old Daniel Redondo, who appeared behind his father on the day of his release.
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Diario Libre
6 May 2026