Santo Domingo.- The president of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) and Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza, announced that the organization has suspended and expelled “categorically” all persons formally linked to investigations for illicit activities, warning that no leader of the entity will have protection if they face legal proceedings.
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The official indicated that the party will conduct more rigorous internal audits, will thoroughly review the files of its members, and will propose legal reforms so that political parties are included as obligated subjects within the anti-money laundering system. In a frontal message, Paliza urged those involved in illicit activities, from the PRM or any political organization, to surrender before justice acts. “Sooner or later they will fall; no party or leadership will be able to protect them,” he said. The president of the PRM acknowledged the citizen’s indignation and the concern generated by the latest cases related to drug trafficking, assuring that he understands those who again question the integrity of the political class. However, he insisted that these processes do not signify an institutional setback, but quite the opposite: “The law finally acts without asking permission, without looking at colors and without stopping before any power.” Paliza affirmed that the reason why advanced files, names of those charged, and multiple extraditions are known today is because the country has changed. He attributed these advances to an independent Public Ministry, strengthened institutions, and President Luis Abinader’s decision not to intervene in judicial processes. He reiterated that more cases could appear, but that this responds to a system that no longer tolerates impunity. Regarding the general overview of drug trafficking, he highlighted that since 2020 the Dominican Republic has achieved historical figures in seizures, extraditions, and arrests. In this period, 355 people linked to drug trafficking have been extradited —the highest figure recorded in the country—, 226,814 kilograms of drugs have been seized, and another 67,373 kilograms have been seized in operations coordinated with international agencies. In addition, 187,221 people have been arrested for crimes associated with trafficking and micro-trafficking. These results, it was pointed out, have motivated the DEA to formally congratulate President Abinader for his support in the fight against organized crime both in the country and throughout the Caribbean region.
