Abinader removes key government figures upon completing two years of his second term

Santo Domingo.– Just as this Sunday, August 16, marks two years since the beginning of his second presidential term, President Luis Abinader ordered a wide-ranging series of changes in the government cabinet, through decrees 551-26, 552-26, 553-26, 554-26, and 555-26.

The designations cover strategic areas such as transport, emergencies, civil aviation, housing, foreign policy, migration, early childhood, ports, provincial development, and the consular service.

One of the most politically significant moves is the arrival of Víctor “Ito” Bisonó at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, replacing Roberto Álvarez, who was appointed ambassador emeritus. The change is contained in decree 554-26.

In that same provision, Jean Luis Rodríguez was appointed Minister of Housing, Habitat and Buildings (MIVHED), while Francisco Alejandro Campos Álvarez will assume the role of Executive Director of the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM). Julia Luz Marina Muñiz Suberví was appointed President of the Board of Directors of that institution.

Changes in transport and emergency agencies

Decree 551-26 establishes a new direction at the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (INTRANT), with the appointment of retired Major General Juan Manuel Méndez García, who replaces Milton Morrison.

Méndez García leaves the Emergency Operations Center (COE), where he was in charge for years, to take the reins of the agency in charge of regulating traffic and land transport.

Erdwin Robert Olivares Luciano was appointed to the COE, having served as Deputy Director of Operations since 2010.

Likewise, Carlos Manuel Paulino Cárdenas will assume the role of executive director of the Civil Defense, while its previous head, Juan Cesario Salas Rosario, will move on to serve as an honorary advisor on Civil Defense matters.

Aviation, airports and Mercadom also have new heads

The changes also reached the aeronautical and airport sector.

Through decree 552-26, Julio Peña Guzmán was appointed president of the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), while Héctor Elie Porcella Dumas becomes advisor to the Executive Branch on civil aviation matters and a member of the JAC.

Mérido de Jesús Torres Espinal was also appointed as executive director of the Airport Department and Mariana Tavárez de Santos as general director of Dominican Agricultural Supply Markets (Mercadom).

In the foreign service, Víctor Pichardo Custodio was appointed consul of the Dominican Republic in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, and Israel Terrero Vólquez as minister counselor in the internal service.

New authorities at INAIPI and Migration

The Government also introduced changes in institutions linked to early childhood and migration policies.

Kenia Xiomara Guante Valdez was appointed director of the National Institute for Comprehensive Early Childhood Care (INAIPI), while José Benedicto Hernández Tejada will assume the role of executive director of the National Migration Institute.

Meanwhile, Josefa Aquilina Castillo Rodríguez was appointed consul general of the Dominican Republic in Miami, Florida.

Provincial Development, UTEPDA and CORAASAN

The day of changes concluded with decree 555-26, through which Abinader appointed José Dolores Andújar Ramírez as head of the Provincial Development Directorate and Nidio Encarnación Santiago as executive director of the Technical Executing Unit for Agroforestry Development Projects (UTEPDA).

César Andrés Pichardo Fermín was also appointed as president of the Board of Directors of the Santiago Aqueduct and Sewer Corporation (CORAASAN) and Bernardo Antonio Inoa Pichardo as a member of that board.

In the foreign service, Elías de Jesús Brache Rivas was appointed consul general of the Dominican Republic in Los Angeles, California.