In a swearing-in ceremony of new members of the People’s Force (FP) in Jarabacoa, the former President of the Dominican Republic and opposition leader, Leonel Fernandez, criticized the Government of the Revolutionary Modern Party (PRM) for its management in negotiating the Free Trade Agreement between the Dominican Republic, Central America and the United States (DR-CAFTA) in relation to rice. Fernandez argued that the government has lost moral authority to negotiate with the United States, citing an extraordinary increase in rice imports during the 2024 electoral campaign.
Massive imports and loss of moral authority
The former president explained that rice imports in 2024 jumped from 500,000 quintals to six million, which, according to him, was a political decision without considering the repercussions for national producers and the country’s positioning in its international commitments. Fernandez assured that large quantities of rice from countries other than the United States were allowed to enter without paying duties, weakening the government’s ability to defend national interests in commercial negotiations.
Decree 693-24 and the debate over commercial liberalization
The opposition leader also referred to Decree 693-24, pointing out that the government had to repeal it due to questions from the United States. According to Fernandez, an administrative provision cannot modify the obligations assumed through an international treaty. The liberalization of rice, he considered, could negatively affect the Dominican agricultural sector, which has around 30,000 producers and 300,000 people dependent directly or indirectly on the activity.
Impact on the agricultural sector
The former president highlighted that national production satisfies approximately 95% of the country’s rice consumption. Therefore, he considered it necessary to adopt measures to protect productive activity and jobs linked to the sector. “Today it does not have moral authority to represent the Dominican people in negotiations with the United States. That is what has happened,” Fernandez stated in the ceremony.
Swearing-in of new FP members in Jarabacoa
Among the newly sworn-in members were Jarabacoa councilor Jose Tavarez, known as Yuli Penal, from the PRM; communicator Eddy Duran and former candidate Fernando Manuel Nunez, along with other leaders and members of their respective political teams from the PRM and the Liberation Party of the Dominican Republic (PLD). Duran acknowledged that he had previously held positions contrary to Fernandez and stated: “I ask forgiveness for having opposed him, for not having understood his vision of the future.” Both leaders recognized the work of coordination, accompaniment, and follow-up carried out by Senator Omar Fernandez, a member of the Fuerza del Pueblo’s Political Directorate, to concretize the incorporations.
Credits: n.com.do
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