Edickson Herrera Silvestre (Yeyea), the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party councilor for the National District who was recently indicted in a Florida, USA court, technically keeps his position in the capital city municipality. Herrera Silverstre was in his second term as capital city alderman. He had first been elected in August 2020 and reelected in August 2024 under the same government party ticket.
A news story in Listin Diario cites a spokesperson for the city council explaining that since Herrera Silvestre is not tried on charges in the Dominican Republic and the City Council has not been officially notified that the politician admitted his participation in cocaine trafficking operations in the United States, he keeps the position even when he is not receiving the remuneration. Herrera Silvestre was temporarily replaced by his alternate Wilkins Martinez on 18 September, the date that marks the period of suspension.
The suspension came more than four months after reports confirmed that “Yeyea” had voluntarily traveled to the United States where he was arrested.
Listin Diario explains that as of 18 November 2025, the National District City Council could take action because Herrera Silvestre would officially have three months of absence from the position without an acceptable excuse. He is presently under arrest in the United States, awaiting a 6 January 2026 court hearing.
Meanwhile, the Dominican Council of Councilmen asserts that the official’s elected status is protected until a definitive decision is made. Vice president of the Council, Junior Castillo, told Listin Diario that the body has not been formally notified of Silvestre’s guilty plea in the Southern District of Florida court.
“It has all been a simple publication; the information must reach the country,” Castillo commented, emphasizing that Silvestre has not lost his official status as he is not currently being tried for any criminal offense in the Dominican Republic.
“It is not a definitive decision. Until he clarifies his situation with that country and returns to the Dominican Republic, he is suspended. That is what prevents him from exercising his function as councilman,” Castillo clarified.
Herrera Silvestre, widely known by his political moniker “Yeyea,” signed a document with US judicial authorities on 6 October 2025, formally admitting his role in a drug trafficking scheme. The operation involved purchasing narcotics in South America, storing them in the Dominican Republic, and then shipping them to the United States.
The councilman confessed, through the agreement, to sending approximately 376 kilograms of cocaine and earning an estimated US$7,520,000 from the illicit sales between 2020 and 2022. Furthermore, Herrera Silvestre committed to cooperating with US judicial bodies in their fight against drug distribution.
Listin Diario explains that according to Article 43 of Law 176-07 on Municipalities and the National District, public officials such as mayors, deputy mayors, and council members may lose their positions if there is a “final and irrevocable judicial decision” against them or if they repeatedly and unjustifiably fail to perform their duties for a period of three months.
In this context, Herrera Silvestre reaches the three-month limit on Tuesday, 18 November. This is the maximum period allowed for officials suspended due to unjustified absence. This means he must return to his post before that date to resume the position. Otherwise, the law states that he will automatically lose his position as a municipal representative.
Furthermore, the second paragraph of Article 44 stipulates that Herrera Silvestre is not entitled to receive the salary or travel allowances associated with his position until he resumes his official duties.
He is accused in the same case that implicates retired police general William Durán Jerez, accused of leading a drug smuggling ring that operated from an unnamed hotel in Puerto Plata.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
DR1 News
DR1 News
DR1 News
6 November 2025