Abinader's Accountability Report: He outlined plans for the construction of 5,000 homes in Santiago and Santo Domingo, called for "preparation" for the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, highlighted achievements in economic management, stating that "Our main economic concern is inflation," and declared that the "Republic of Impunity" is over. He also mentioned investing RD$1.1 billion in hospital renovations and equipment in 2021, prioritizing increased capacity in the electricity sector but stating he will not invest a single peso, overseeing 485 projects totaling RD$77 billion, noting that free trade zones are one of the main pillars of the economy, announcing a research and specialized training center for young entrepreneurs, and stating that 22,000 formal jobs have been created per month since April 2021, among other points. Below is a summary of the Russia/Ukraine crisis.
It includes the construction of 5,000 homes in Santiago and Santo Domingo
Housing Minister Carlos Bonilla announced that this year his institution plans to deliver 5,000 homes in the provinces of Santiago and Santo Domingo, as part of the Mi Vivienda (My Home) plan.
He calls for "preparing" for the consequences of the war between Russia and Ukraine
“The war in Ukraine is affecting everything and adding to an already complex situation,” President Luis Abinader stated in his State of the Nation address to the National Assembly this Sunday. Abinader indicated that the global repercussions of the armed conflicts between Russia and Ukraine have resulted in significant economic challenges, jeopardizing economic recovery and the fight against inflation.
It highlights achievements in managing the economy
In his State of the Nation Address, President Luis Abinader summarized the economic achievements since assuming office in August 2020. He highlighted the reduction of the public deficit from 7.9% in 2020 to 2.7% in 2021, exceeding the projected 4.1% for that year. He also noted that the consolidated public sector debt decreased by 6.4 percentage points
“Our main economic concern is inflation.”
For President Luis Abinader, his biggest economic concern today is inflation, as it has a very negative effect on family budgets, limits the ability of companies to generate jobs, and impacts social programs that protect the most vulnerable.
The “Republic of Impunity” no longer exists
President Luis Abinader expressed his support for the approval of the asset forfeiture law to recover money stolen from the public treasury and called on the Legislative Branch to join in this effort. “No one will dare to reverse the model of an independent public prosecutor's office; this is a collective victory,” the president said before declaring that there is no longer a “Republic of impunity” or a “country for corrupt officials.”.
It invested RD$1.1 billion in the renovation and equipping of hospitals in 2021
During his accountability address to the National Assembly, President Luis Abinader stated that the Dominican government has made a record investment of over 1.1 billion pesos in hospital renovations and equipment during 2021. These projects will be complemented by other projects awarded for over RD$2.7 billion, “which will result in improved healthcare services throughout the country.”.
It prioritizes increasing installed capacity in the electricity sector, but will not invest a single peso
President Luis Abinader assured today that, in less than four years, the Dominican Republic will have 2,000 new megawatts of power installed, without the government having to invest or incur a single peso in debt for the construction of these power plants. “All costs and loans will be assumed by the private companies and consortiums that win the bids, while the Dominican State, through the distribution companies, will purchase the energy and power from them through competitive long-term contracts,” Abinader stated in his address to the National Assembly on February 27.
It carries out 485 projects for a total of 77 billion pesos
President Luis Abinader affirmed this Sunday that the public works plan being implemented by his administration is one of the most ambitious ever undertaken by a government and aims to create a landscape of opportunity throughout the country. He highlighted that 485 projects are currently underway, totaling 77 billion pesos. This is more than the amount invested in the previous six years combined.
Free trade zones are one of the main pillars of the economy
During his 2022 State of the Nation address, President Luis Abinader said today that free trade zones are one of the main pillars of the Dominican economy, noting that they have been a determining factor in accelerating economic recovery. “We have had a year-on-year growth of 20.3 percent from January to December compared to 2020, with an accumulated investment of US$5.189 billion, the highest amount in the last nine years,” he explained.
A announces a research and specialized training center for young entrepreneurs
President Luis Abinader announced that the Ministry of Youth will launch a research and specialized training center this year to promote and encourage youth entrepreneurship and employment in the country. He explained that the center will offer training and support programs for young entrepreneurs, coordinated in conjunction with other government institutions.
He claims that since April 2021, 22,000 formal jobs have been created per month
Highlighting the achievements of his administration, especially in the last year, President Luis Abinader stated that 22,000 formal jobs have been created per month in the labor sector and emphasized the increases that have been made to the minimum wages in various sectors of the economy.
Announces implementation of audits in all state agencies
As part of his agenda on transparency and control, President Luis Abinader announced the implementation of audits of his administration's performance, through the Comptroller General of the Republic.
It retires members of the Air Force and the Army ; it promotes 22 members
President Luis Abinader issued Decree 101-22 on Sunday, retiring one major general from the Air Force and six brigadier generals from the National Army. The retired Army brigadier generals were also promoted to the rank of major general. The retired officers are Elvis Marcelino Féliz Pérez; Elvis Antonio Almonte Santana; Santo Domingo Guerrero Clase; Manuel S. Nadal Rosa; Milton de Jesús Frías; Audry Andrés Ortiz López; and Víctor Ángel Reynoso Hidalgo. The decree also promoted 22 members of the Dominican Republic Armed Forces. This promotion, outlined in Decree 100-22, includes the promotion of four brigadier generals to major general; 12 colonels to brigadier general; one rear admiral to vice admiral; and five captains to rear admiral.
RUSSIA/UKRAINE CONFLICT
Putin threatens with nuclear arsenal and Ukraine will negotiate "without giving in"
Russian President Vladimir Putin today put his nuclear arsenal amid growing international opposition to his military invasion of Ukraine , while Kyiv announced it is willing to negotiate with Russia "without giving in."
Ukraine puts the number of civilian deaths since the start of the war at 352.
Ukraine on Sunday raised the number of civilians killed in the war instigated by Russia to 352, with 1,684 wounded, according to the country's Interior Ministry. Among the dead are 14 children, the Interior Ministry said in a message on Telegram.
Ukraine asserts that it will not surrender or hand over any part of its territory
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated today that his country will not "capitulate or hand over an inch of territory.".
US approves sending lethal missiles to Ukraine
The United States has approved for the first time the direct shipment of Stinger missiles to Ukraine as part of a package approved by the White House on Friday. The exact delivery time is unknown, but officials say Washington is working on the logistics of the shipment.
UN approves convening a special session of the General Assembly on Ukraine
The UN Security Council on Sunday approved a resolution to convene an urgent special session on Ukraine in the General Assembly, the body comprised of the organization's 193 member states. The meeting is expected to begin on Monday. The initiative, spearheaded by the United States and Albania, passed with eleven votes in favor, three abstentions—from China, India, and the United Arab Emirates—and a single vote against, from Russia, which in this case did not have veto power as it was a procedural decision.
WHO warns oxygen could run out in Ukrainian hospitals within 24 hours
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned today that oxygen reserves in most hospitals in Ukraine could run out within the next 24 hours, and called for a corridor to be established through Poland to meet the needs of the war-torn country.
North Korea blames the US for the crisis in Ukraine and defends Russia
North Korea accused the United States of being the true cause of the Ukrainian crisis and defended Russia in Pyongyang's first official response to the invasion of Ukraine. However, North Korea, in a statement posted on the Foreign Ministry's website, said that the United States is responsible for the conflict.
Russian troops enter Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, where street fighting continues
Russian troops entered Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city in the northwest of the country, on Sunday, where bursts of machine gun fire, rocket explosions, and street fighting could be heard, an AFP journalist reported.
Italy closes its airspace to Russia
The Italian government announced today that it has decided to close its airspace to Russia, the first country in southern Europe to do so, following measures taken by others such as Finland and Ireland as part of the sanctions process aimed at economically isolating Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
The invasion has already created 116,000 refugees, according to the UN
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused 116,000 people to leave the country, in addition to 160,000 internally displaced persons, while at least 64 civilians have died and about 180 were injured, United Nations humanitarian agencies said today.
OTHER
Court postpones coercive measure against Mary Louise Ventura until Wednesday
The Permanent Attention Court of Villa Altagracia postponed until next Wednesday the hearing on the coercive measure against María Luisa (Mary Louise) Ventura Garrido, accused of attempted homicide against the dancer and actress Patricia Antonia Ascuasiati Domínguez.
Trump is favored to lead the Republicans in the 2024 elections, according to a poll
Former President Donald Trump led a wide margin in a poll on Sunday regarding the frontrunner to lead the Republican Party in a presidential election, conducted at the annual conference of American conservatives in Orlando, Florida. Trump garnered 59% of the vote, far ahead of second-place Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (28%), whom many see as the former president's most serious future rival.
Sources: Listín Diario, El Día, Hoy, Diario Libre, El Caribe
