2003 – Page 248

The drug trafficking case against Puerto Rican television presenter Laura Hernandez, her husband Marcos Irrizary and seven alleged associates, was adjourned yesterday following the dismissal of one of the defense attorneys by one of the accused, Antonio Rodr?guez Morales. Rodr?guez Morales fired his lawyer Antonio N??ez N??ez, who also represents Irrizary, for falling asleep during …

Read more…

El Caribe provides a welcome contrast to so many stories of filthy, crime- ridden barrios with a glowing report from Los Manguitos, a poor barrio in the capital where the streets are clean, crime is rare and tranquility rules. Community leaders attribute the barrio?s outstanding record to its inhabitants “working together”. The community’s churches have …

Read more…

It now emerges, says the lead story in El Caribe, that the company awarded the contract for the controversial x-ray screening system proposed for all containers leaving the country is in the midst of a legal wrangle in the United States. The Dominican government is being taken to court by a Panamanian company registered under …

Read more…

A court in Hig?ey heard evidence that Puerto Rican TV presenter Laura Hern?ndez and her alleged accomplices were part of a major international drug trafficking ring. In yesterday’s hearing, a video recording of the group’s arrest in Punta Cana in September 2002 was screened, in which, the prosecution alleges, a major cocaine transaction took place. …

Read more…

Diario Libre?s financial pages carry a piece on the growing importance of the European single currency, the Euro, in the Dominican economy. The fact that the Euro has risen to the tune of 12% against the peso makes the DR an even more attractive destination for tourists from Europe, who will get RD$28 for every …

Read more…

Although accurate figures are hard to come by, there has been a sharp drop in the number of contracts awarded to workers from outside of the Dominican Republic. The numbers quoted by Labor ministry official, Washington Gonz?lez, include workers that have legal permission to work in the country, as opposed to the estimated thousands of …

Read more…

A dramatic decline in car sales is threatening a number of companies? livelihood, according to Enrique Fern?ndez of ACONAVE, the vehicle importers association. The steep decrease in sales ? amounting to 80% less than the equivalent period last year ? is being largely attributed to the 10% tax surcharge on imports imposed by the government …

Read more…

After a break of several months, President Hip?lito Mej?a resumes his program of overseas visits. Departing by private plane on Saturday 9 May, his 12-day trip will begin in Rome, where Mej?a will attend a meeting of the Food Security committee of the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization) and meet with Italian Prime …

Read more…

The front pages of today?s newspapers carry reports on President Mej?a and his upcoming meeting with PRD party president Hatuey Decamps. Making brief comments to the press, President Mej?a said that he was in agreement with Rafael Suberv? and that a meeting with Decamps would be useful. He qualified most of his comments about Decamps …

Read more…

The Central Bank?s intervention in the case of the Banco Intercontinental (Baninter), and the decision by President Hip?lito Mej?a to seek a second term of office are affecting the image of the Dominican Republic among possible investors, according to Bear Stearns. This perception of the DR is referred to in the monthly report issued by …

Read more…