The Listin Diario says its stands by its front page story where it said that businessmen that met with President Leonel Fernández on last Friday had suggested that the statesman consider a devaluation of the Dominican currency. Monsignor Agripino Núñez subsequently denied the Listín story. The Listin in an editorial said that the story had stated that "businessmen" and not the "business community" had requested the devaluation. The business community is divided over whether the government should or should not devaluate. Economists point to government overspending as one of the main reason for the increase in money in circulation that has caused a drop in the value of the peso in regards to the U.S. dollar. The U.S. dollar is bought on the street exchange markets for RD$14.20 to RD$14.40. Commercial banks offer about RD$13.95 per dollar.
