Santo Domingo.– The Minister of Interior and Police, Faride Raful, condemned the murder of the teenager Darlin Mercado Reyes, 16, who died after being executed by a point-blank gunshot from a National Police officer in the Herrera sector.
Through a message posted on her X social media account, the official described the case as an “unforgivable police abuse” and expressed her solidarity with the victim’s family.
“Police abuse of this level, which today brings mourning to a Dominican family, is unforgivable. As a mother, I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child in this way,” she stated.
Raful emphasized that “no uniform can be a shield for impunity” and reported that the officer involved was arrested and placed at the disposal of the justice system to answer “with the full weight of the law” for the act.
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The minister acknowledged that no action can bring the young man back to life, but assured that the Government has the responsibility to ensure that the crime has consequences and to strengthen the mechanisms to prevent similar events from happening again.
“Nothing will bring that young man’s life back. It hurts us deeply. What is in our hands is to ensure that this crime has consequences and to redouble all efforts to correct the failures that allowed it to happen,” Raful expressed.
Likewise, it reaffirmed the authorities’ commitment to the transformation of security forces and the protection of citizens.
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“Because we cannot rest until no mother feels she has to fear those who swore to protect her children. That is a commitment from which we will not waver,” he concluded.
The case of Darlin Mercado Reyes has shocked the Herrera sector and has sparked protest demonstrations throughout the night, where residents are demanding justice and greater oversight of the actions of police officers.
