2008 – Page 139

One survivor and seven dead was the toll of what is being described as an “international drug contract killing”. Listin Diario says that the seven, six foreigners and one Dominican, were found with their hands tied and multiple bullet wounds in bushes near Ojo de Agua, a section of Paya, Bani, in Peravia province, 65 …

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The Director General of Customs, Miguel Cocco, handed over four small planes that had been seized in various drug operations to the Dominican Air Force (FAD) to the National Drug Control Department (DNCD), as well as a check for RD$2 million. While the report in El Nuevo Diario is not clear about the origin of …

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Three suspected criminals were lynched by mobs in Santiago during the last 48 hours, according to the police. The three men were identified as Junior Rafael Fernandez, Edwin Vasquez and Henry Rafael Lopez Garcia, who died in separate incidents as a result of the wounds they received. As reported in Hoy newspaper, the three were …

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Stiletto has 20-75% off Salvatore Ferragamo, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, D&G merchandise at their Acropolis and Santiago locations. Super Pola is advertising 35% off fruits and vegetables. Nacional supermarkets have 40% off avocados today. La Sirena has reinstated its El Lapiz for those buying school books and supplies  

Next year the Central Electoral Board (JCE) will issue new ID and voting cards (cedulas) with the fingerprints of more than eight million Dominicans embedded in the document. The new cards will be less vulnerable to forgeries and will carry more information about the holders. JCE Administrative Chamber president Roberto Rosario said that JCE officials …

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During the first seven months of the year the government spent US$49 million, or RD$1.7 billion, on the Blackout Reduction Program (PRA), a program that stipulates fixed low charges for electricity in low-income areas. Through the program, 482,000 families have signed up to receive subsidized electricity. According to state electricity corporation officials, 96,000 houses that …

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Fitch Ratings has published a special report today on the Dominican Republic electricity sector, according to BusinessWire. Fitch says that “with the sector teetering on the brink of financial distress, investors are again asking if the recently re-elected Fernandez administration now has the political will and conviction to fix the system.” The report points out …

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Environment Minister Omar Ramirez says that he has suspended the manager of the Dunes of Bani protected area, Felix Lara after it was determined he was negligent in his job. Listin Diario reported that trucks constantly load sand from the dunes. Ramirez said that he had appointed two additional park rangers, and that Isaias Fuentes …

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Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa says that the UASD University, municipal governments or public sector doctors should not expect to receive additional funds through the Supplementary Budget being reviewed in Congress. Interviewed yesterday, Bengoa said that “everything in life is possible, but if you asked in terms of percentage if that is possible, I’d tell you …

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Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa believes that the dollarization of the Dominican economy is a distinct possibility. The minister, speaking to reporters after a meeting at Congress, explained that the Dominican economy is practically dollarized. “Everyone thinks in dollars,” Bengoa said. He explained that when someone goes to buy an apartment, the sale and the contract …

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