Former President Joaquín Balaguer is today 94 years old. The politician is one of the legends of Latin American politics. He has mesmerized Dominican society, and his command of the Dominican psyche and local politics have kept him practically as the man calling the shots, regardless of being in or out of power. El Siglo newspaper carries the opinion of historian and Balaguer regime collaborator, Ramón Font-Bernard: "For me, Balaguer is historically the most complex citizen the DR has had. Several times in my writings I have said that he is an enigma. He has enemies that see him going to hell, and others that place him in paradise." Book editor and researcher José Israel Cuello, a long time Balaguer opponent opines: "He Balaguerized the country. Here all the political parties are Balagueristas, by their method, which means a kingdom of immorality, impunity, happenings, and constitutional irregularity. He established those methods, that is his great heritage." Balaguer has been President of the DR on seven occasions, including a first (1960-1) as a puppet president during the final days of the Trujillo dictatorship. Other presidential terms were 1966-70, 1970-74, 1974-78, 1986-90, 1990-94, 1994-96. Former President Leonel Fernández won the election in 1996 thanks to the endorsement by Balaguer. In the 2000 election, Balaguer remained neutral, thus not detracting votes from the Mejía (PRD) candidacy, and permitting the PRD to win in a first electoral round.
