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Dominican Republic: President Fernandez
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Although Dominican relations with its closest neighbour, the Republic of Haiti, have never been extensive, this has begun to change under President Fernandez's administration. Growing immigration from and political instability in Haiti have forced the Dominican Republic to take a closer look at relations with its neighbour, both bilaterally and in international fora. There is a sizeable Haitian migrant community in the Dominican Republic, and there is a long history of friction between the DR and Haiti over illegal immigration by Haitian agricultural and construction workers. Two waves of deportations of Haitians and Dominico-Haitians from the DR, in May and August 2005, continued to highlight the problem, and raised human rights concerns. Conservative estimates give 500,000 illegal Haitians resident in the DR. There could be as many as a million. Anti Slavery International report that there are in addition to this 40,000 Haitians working (with 60,000 dependants) in the Dominican sugar plantations.
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The Dominican Republic has a multi-party political system with national elections every 2 years (alternating between presidential elections and congressional/municipal elections). Presidential elections are held in years evenly divisible by four. Congressional and municipal elections are held in even numbered years not divisible by four. International observers have found that presidential and congressional elections since 1996 have been generally free and fair. Elections are supervised by a Central Elections Board (JCE) of 9 members chosen for a four-year term by the newly elected Senate. JCE decisions on electoral matters are final.
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The Dominican Republic has had a troubled history. It gained independence from Spain in 1821, but independence did not bring internal peace or economic prosperity. Between 1844 and 1930 it was beset by numerous revolutions, economic instability, and corruption in government. From 1930 to 1961 it came under the dictatorial control of Rafael Trujillo. Although Trujillo brought economic stability, he allowed no political freedom. From the late 1960s on, elected presidents have held office, but they have not been able to solve the Dominican Republic’s economic problems.
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The Dominican Republic is a representative democracy, with national powers divided among independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The President of the Dominican Republic appoints the cabinet, executes laws passed by the legislative branch, and is commander in chief of the armed forces. The president and vice president run for office on the same ticket and are elected by direct vote for 4-year terms. Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral Congress composed of the Senate (with 32 members) and the Chamber of Deputies (with 178 members).
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Four years after President Taft's attempt to establish stability in the Dominican Republic, it was President Woodrow Wilson's turn. Instability and conflict again enticed the U.S. to intervene in the Dominican Republic. President Wilson's decision to deploy the U.S. Navy in 1916 was based on his personal principles and growing uncertainty in world affairs.
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President Leonel Fernandez headed a distinguished list of people who attended the launch of a new book about former President Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina, the dictator and iron-fisted ruler of the Dominican Republic from 1930-1961. The book, called "Trujillo: A Monarch without a Crown" (Trujillo: Monarca sin corona), was written by Euclides Gutierrez Felix and published by Editora Corripio. The author said that the book contains unpublished photographs and new documents, and reveals Trujillo as a "typical expression of the Dominican people, even in his aggressiveness and intolerance." Gutierrez Felix is the only living Dominican politician who had personal contact with Trujillo, Joaquin Balaguer, Fidel Castro and Juan Bosch, for whom he served as an assistant for 22 years.
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