Abinader posthumously awards former President Ulises Francisco Espaillat

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader led the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the government of Ulises Francisco Espaillat, whom he described as the greatest ethical reference of the Dominican nation and, in addition, posthumously awarded, through Decree 279-26, the decoration of the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella in the Grade of Grand Cross Gold Plate.  This distinction was received in custody by the Dominican Academy of History, where it will be exhibited along with other institutional relics. The event was held today, April 29, National Day of Citizen Ethics. Based on the legacy of Francisco Ulises Espaillat’s integrity, the Head of State highlighted that his government management is developed in a daily practice of honesty and integrity that strengthens the political exercise, public management and democracy, in favor of all, bringing transformation, justice and dignity in times in “which the citizenry demands, and rightly so, institutions that work, Governments that respond and leaders who act with coherence”. “And it is there where Espaillat’s legacy finds a direct echo in the present. When we promote public management based on transparency, when we strengthen accountability mechanisms, when we defend the independence of the Public Ministry, and we promote that the law be applied without exceptions.” 

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During the ceremony, President Abinader also received, from the Minister of Culture, Roberto Ángel Salcedo, a commemorative medal for the sesquicentennial of the Espaillat government, a gesture that reinforces his commitment to democratic values and the preservation of the national historical heritage. Preservation of historical heritage  For his part, the president of the Dominican Academy of History recognized President Luis Abinader as “one of the Dominican statesmen who has most promoted the preservation of historical heritage, building a beautiful and proud legacy” and thus strengthening national identity. In this context, he highlighted the rehabilitation of the National Museum of History and Geography, in the Plaza de la Cultura Juan Pablo Duarte; that of Horacio Vázquez, in Tamboril; the Museum of Art, in Santiago; the Mayobanex Vargas Memorial Room, in Bonao; the Museum of Gold and Silver of Cotuí; the Museum of History and Traditions of Santiago, as well as the recently planned Museum of the April Uprising, among others.

Remembering Espaillat’s legacy 

Finally, the Minister of Culture, Roberto Ángel Salcedo, who chairs the Commission for the Commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the government of Ulises Francisco Espaillat, created by Decree 640-25, expressed his satisfaction with the fulfillment of its objectives, by developing a series of activities that highlight the figure and legacy of Ulises Francisco Espaillat.

He then cited the recently concluded Cibao 2026 Regional Book and Culture Fair, which dedicated a large part of its cultural and programmatic agenda to the figure of the former president, with talks and conferences ventilating Espaillat’s ideals and several works around his thinking being printed and distributed.

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In the act were also present the Administrative Minister of the Presidency, Andrés Bautista, and the director of Ethics and Governmental Integrity, Milagros Ortiz Bosch.