President Luis Abinader granted his first interview to Camilo Egaña of CNN Español. During the interview, he addressed issues regarding justice, wasteful government spending, the economy and development, Covid-19, security, tourism and migration. These positions he has already presented to the people in the Dominican Republic.
Speaking on justice, Abinader highlighted the naming of “an independent attorney general.” He said the person is to ensure there not be impunity with the past nor with the future. He said this is the same person now in charge of prosecuting the Odebrecht bribe scandal that has stagnated in the Dominican judiciary. “Without an independent justice, there cannot be democracy,” he said. He observed the appointment of an independent prosecutor is a first step in this direction.
He spoke of efforts to turn economic growth into economic development. He stressed the government seeks to improve government spending quality, taking money that was spent on political patronage and investing this in improving quality of health and education services. He mentioned the start of a program to affiliate an additional two million poor Dominicans to the government medical plan. Abinader has promised 100% coverage for all Dominican citizens.
Addressing tourism, he acknowledged the DR has been the Caribbean country to report the highest number of Covid-19 cases. He said the country also has the largest population. He said the country’s fatality rate is below the US and global average which indicates the country has properly dealt with the disease. He said the spread is low in tourism destinations. We mentioned the new government plan that will affiliate travelers to a free health plan where they would be covered here if they caught the disease. The health plan also covers cost of changing travel dates and hospitalization or extended hotel stay. “We are open and the conditions are here for the tourists to come. They have the same risk of catching the disease here as they have in their countries. And here they can enjoy the Dominican people’s friendship and our lovely beaches,” he said.
On relations with the United States:
“The US relations are special because two million Dominicans live there, and the US is our leading export and import partner; most of our tourists come from the US,” he said. “We have and will continue to have a special relationship regarding the economy and regional democracy. We have relations with China and trade and investments are welcome with the exception of those in national strategic sectors,” he said.
On security issues:
He said the government plan to reform the police has been delayed because of the Covid-19 curfew. He said efforts, nonetheless, are underway to make insecurity an issue of the past in the country. He said police corruption will be controlled and eliminated under the new administration. He said he promised the country a transparent, honest, modernized and better paid police corps to fight crime and drug trafficking. He said his government has good relations with the US crime organizations, including the DEA and the FBI to fight organized mafias.
On immigration from Haiti
He said his priority is to work for the welfare of Dominicans. He remarked that Haitians need to come with a work permit and then return to their country. He stressed his government will be complying with the law. He said his government will work to reduce contraband, drug trafficking, crime, and the crossing of undocumented people by the border. “We have to work together because we share an island,” said the President. “My work is directed to Dominicans and to improve their quality of life. Internationally, we will work to help Haiti, a country that historically has had complications and needs to organize itself for development, he stressed.
On immigration from Venezuela
When asked about the estimated 90,000 Venezuelans who have migrated to the Dominican Republic, he said the position is one of solidarity with these in return to solidarity the Venezuelans has showed to Dominicans in the past. He said the situation with the Venezuelans, nevertheless, is the same as with other nationals. He spoke of certain flexibility to work legally until the regime in Venezuela changes and these can return to their country.
Listen to the interview at
CNN Español
2 September 2020