Dominican Republic sets crackdown on prostitution

Published May 15, 2013

Associated Press

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic –  Prostitution has long been practiced openly in the Dominican Republic but that could soon change.

The Dominican attorney general says clients of prostitutes and anyone who makes money off the work of prostitutes will face arrest in a crackdown on the sex trade. Attorney General Francisco Dominguez says the government wants to fight the trafficking of women, especially minors.

Dominican law doesn't specifically prohibit prostitution but it does outlaw pandering and trafficking. Dominguez told reporters Wednesday that clients of prostitutes can be charged as accomplices to pandering and can face 10 to 15 years in prison.

No one has been arrested yet and it's not clear how strictly this will be enforced since the justice system is already overburdened.

A group that represents prostitutes is calling it a "witch hunt."

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Canadian venture to pay more for Dominican gold

Published May 08, 2013

Associated Press

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic –  A Canadian company says it has reached an agreement in principle with the government of the Dominican Republic to alter the terms of a disputed contract for a large gold mine in the Caribbean country.

Barrick Gold Corp. says the changes announced Wednesday are expected to provide an additional $1.5 billion to the Dominican government over the life of the Pueblo Viejo mine.

Toronto-based Barrick is the majority partner in a venture that operates the mine. Goldcorp Inc. of Vancouver is the other partner. Pueblo Viejo reopened last year and is among the world's largest gold mines.

The government has sought to re-open the contract to help close a budget deficit. Previously, the venture was expected to pay about $7 billion over the 25-year life of the mine.

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DNA test for body in grave of Dominican hero

Published May 01, 2013

Associated Press

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic –  The Dominican Republic has dug up the grave of one of the country's national heroes to make sure the remains are really his before he is re-buried in the national cemetery.

There have long been doubts about whether the remains in a private crypt are really those of Col. Francisco Alberto Caamano Deno, who was killed by government troops in 1973.

Family members said Wednesday that they are hoping a DNA test will resolve lingering doubts.

Caamano belonged to a faction seeking to restore President Juan Bosch, who was seen as an ally of communist Cuba and ousted in a U.S.-backed coup. He briefly led the country until a U.S. invasion in April 1965, bringing on a civil war.

Dominicans embraced Bosch and Caamano as heroes after years of dictatorship.

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Truth commission sought for Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic –  A new campaign seeks to establish a Truth Commission in the Dominican Republic to delve into the brutal years of dictator Rafael Trujillo.

The director of the National Museum of Resistance says it has collected 15,000 signatures to petition the Dominican government to create the commission. Luisa de Pena said Monday the government needs to address for the first time how many people were tortured and killed under the 1930-1961 rule of Trujillo and the early years of the Joaquin Balaguer presidency that followed.

Truth commissions are intended to expose abuses while allowing witnesses to speak without fear of prosecution. An estimated 50,000 people were killed under Trujillo, including an estimated 17,000 Haitians massacred in 1937. Organizers plan to submit the petition in December.

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