President Joaquín Balaguer gave his shortest “State of the Nation” address on 27 February at the National Congress. In true Balaguer style, it was also one of the most enigmatic, to the point that he ended his speech by saying that “man is master of what he does not say and a slave to what he does say.”
Instead of reporting on the state of the nation, he referred the citizens to the documents presented by the departments of his administration and said he preferred to take advantage of the podium to stress positions he had traditionally maintained through his long career as President.
The President caught the imagination of all Dominicans, and was the talk of the day by saying: “I would like the word ‘yes’ to be allowed to occupy the attention of these chambers for brief moments as it is probably the last time I come before them, to draw your attention to the fundamental characteristics that have outlined my thoughts throughout all the administrations I have governed for more than 20 years as the head of the nation.” The word “probably” caught the attention of the country, as Dominicans pondered that maybe he would not hand over power or the 89 year old statesman would find a way to remain in power.