Dominican Republic minister shot dead in office
(BBC): The Dominican Republic’s minister of environment and natural resources has been shot and killed in his office by a close personal friend, officials say.
Orlando Jorge Mera, 55, was holding a meeting at the time of the attack. At least six shots were heard.
A presidential spokesman identified the assailant as Miguel Cruz, describing him as a childhood friend of the minister.
He is now in custody. The motive for the shooting remains unclear.
In a statement, Mr Jorge Mera’s family said he had been shot multiple times by a man he was friends with since childhood.
“Our family forgives the person who did this. One of Orlando’s greatest legacies was to not hold grudges,” they added.
Mr Jorge Mera had served in incumbent President Luis Abinader’s administration since it swept to power in July 2020.
In a tweet, President Abinader expressed his sincere condolences to Mr Jorge Mera’s family and said that he deeply regretted the death of his good friend.
Bartolomé Pujals, director of the government’s cabinet for innovation, described his death as a tragedy and called for peace on social media.
Mr Jorge Mera was the son of former President Salvador Jorge-Blanco and a founding member of the governing Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM).
Mr Jorge Mera leaves behind a wife – the Dominican ambassador to Brazil – and two sons, one of whom is also a PRM lawmaker.
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Politics is a fatal profession is some Caribbean countries. RIP Senor Mera
Oh? Only in the Caribbean? How many US Presidents have been shot and/or killed?
He had obviously screwed over his friend in a major way for him to do this.
Sometimes it is not about him screwing over someone but, because he refuses not to grant specific orders to his friend.
“because he refuses not to grant specific orders to his friend” is exactly what happened in this case.
“…because he refuses not to grant specific orders to his friend.”
(Why the double negative: “refuses not”?)
The “not” is unnecessary and confusing.
Let’s hope VI politics don’t come to this! Same was done to the Haitian leader.
Do you think Fahie & Co. drug friends are forgiving? I think they are not safe anywhere. Maybe now the Ministers will make an effort to stop guns from coming into the BVI?
I wouldn’t be surprised if you hear that a woman is involved. It sounds like a crime of passion. Safe to stay I don’t think it’s a drug deal gone bad.
THE MAIN THING IS THAT YOU GOT THE MESSAGE / IF IT CAUSED YOU ANY PAIN , JUST TAKE AN ASPIRIN ,( TEACHER