The Summit in Spain on the Defense of Democracy, convened by President Pedro Sánchez in Madrid, has sparked debates in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican government participated with the Justice Minister, Antoliano Peralta, but the U.S. ambassador Leah Campos rejected that presence. She warned that the discourse on disinformation from the global left hides intentions of systematic censorship.
Support from Trajano Potentini for the US position
Trajano Potentini, president of the Bar Association and the Justice and Transparency Foundation, backed the words of Leah Campos. He described her alerts as accurate, since the term disinformation could be used to limit freedom of expression. Although he acknowledges the need to combat fake news, he insists it should not serve as a pretext for arbitrary restrictions in a democratic system.
Summit in Spain and risks for foreign policy
Potentini analyzed the context of the Summit in Spain: leaders from Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, with agendas in ideological confrontation with the US. In response, he urges the Dominican state to exercise caution in its foreign policy, prioritizing the historic alliance with Washington. Ignoring it would be a mistake, given its influence on the economy and society.
Strategic importance of the relationship with the US
Remittances from the US exceed $10 billion annually, according to data from the Dominican Central Bank in 2023, supporting thousands of households. The diaspora in New York and other states acts as a commercial and human bridge. Moreover, cooperation includes security, the fight against drug trafficking and money laundering, vital for the Caribbean region.
- Remittances: Key economic pillar for the Dominican Republic.
- Diaspora: More than 2 million Dominicans in the US.
- Cooperation: Support in governance and transnational crimes.
Potentini, through his Forum, reiterated solidarity with Leah Campos, seeing her stance as a defense of democratic values. The Summit in Spain exposes tensions that could alter the Dominican foreign policy, balancing global alliances without sacrificing the relationship with the US. This episode underscores the need for diplomatic coherence in times of polarization.
