In recent weeks, a caller to radio programs claiming to be convicted drug dealer Quirino Castillo has accused former President Leonel Fernandez of owing him for his past contributions.
Former President Leonel Fernandez says that the current smear campaign against him is the result of his firm resolve in the fight against drug trafficking. Fernandez is the president of the ruling PLD party.
In a statement to the press on Sunday, 15 February 2015 the three-term former President challenged the authenticity of the live interviews.
Nevertheless, Fernandez stressed the fact that it was during his term in office that Quirino Ernesto Castillo was extradited to the United States to stand trial for handling a 1,387 kg cocaine shipment in 2004.
“By acting that way, we fulfilled our duty and guaranteed the protection of Dominican society, the safety of our families and preservation of the nation,” said Fernandez in the statement.
He said that the campaign was unleashed after recent polls revealed him to be the favorite against any other political candidate in the 2016 presidential election. A recent Gallup-Hoy poll showed that if the election were held today, Fernandez would win in a second round.
“The fact that transnational drug trafficking, using the alleged identity of a known convicted drug trafficker has put a smear campaign into action against me is a source of great pride and satisfaction,” he stated in the release.
“In any case, compared to malignancy and ignominy, it is just enough to refer to the words of Jesus in the Holy Scripture, saying, ‘Let the dead bury their dead’. Luke 9:59-60”
In radio interviews, a man claiming to be Castillo, who is on conditional release in the United States, accused the former President of receiving RD$200 million in political campaign contributions in 2004. In a radio interview with Z101.3 El Gobierno de la Manana, Castillo said that he had purchased the 600-megawatt power plant at the Fundacion Global together with senator Felix Bautista.
On Saturday, 14 February 2015, President Danilo Medina visited the former President and president of the ruling PLD political party to give his support.
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/2015/02/16/i1015171_leonel-fernndez-los-ataques-son-por-firmeza-contra-narcotrfico.html
http://dr1.com/premium/news/2015/dnews021315.shtml
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