In a major ceremony, President Luis Abinader spoke of the heroic sacrifices Juan Rodriguez Garcia made and called the placement of his remains in the National Pantheon “historic justice.”
Rodriguez, known as Juancito to just about everyone, was a very successful farmer and rancher during the 1930s and 1940s, tending large areas of plaintain and cattle farms. He was considered to be one of the wealthiest persons in the Dominican Republic.
He gave up everything, including the loss of one of his children to the cause of ridding the republic of the Trujillo dictatorship.
As a result of his resistance to the Trujillo dictatorship, Juancito Rodriguez, a man who had served as a deputy and a senator in the Dominican Congress, was forced into exile and so dedicated his fortune to the defeat of Trujillo.
He financed small invasions which were rapidly cut down by the dictator and lost his son during the 14 June 1959 expedition from Cuba.
His continuous sacrifices for the benefit of the country were recognized during the ceremony where he was honored with the title “Hero of the Fatherland.”
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Presidency
Listin Diario
11 November 2025