U.S. Revokes Visas of Dominican Republic Presidential Advisors, Narco Ties are Alleged

The government of the United States revoked the visas of three close advisors to the Dominican Republic’s President Leonel Fernández, as well as the Dominican Chief of Border Security according to Univision.

Victor Manuel Crispín Zorilla, the head of the Dominican Intelligence Services, General Rafael Guillermo Guzmán Fermín, the National Police Chief, Héctor Medina y Medina, armed forces minister and most importantly, General Manuel Florentino y Florentino, the chief of border security all were stripped of their visas allegedly for ties with potential drug traffickers.

The United States embassy had warned President Fernández previously of the conduct of both Florentino as well as Medina.  Florentino allegedly has ties to drug trafficker, Quirino Ernesto Paulino Castillo, according to wires from WikiLeaks. 

Another paragraph states, “El Mayor General Florentino y Florentino, an individual which the United States Embassy has great concern about possible illegal activity, was named Chief of Border Development where opportunities for corruption related with the Haitian border are significant.”

According to WikiLeaks, President Fernández responded that he feared the corrupt military leaders would overthrow him if they were removed from their positions.  However this crisis does not come at an ideal time for the Dominican leader.  Various opposing groups are requesting an investigation into the millions of dollars of bills supposedly charged in the name of the First Lady, Margarita de Fernández.

State Department officials involved in the revocation have yet to comment on the story.

Published in Notitas de Noticias

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