U.S. warns Dom. Rep.: Fight corruption or get left behind

Santo Domingo.- U.S. ambassador Raul Yzaguirre on Wednesday said those countries that fail to fight corruption in a responsible and determined manner, the Dominican Republic among them, can’t develop their economy, education or in any other sector.

Interviewed by newspaper listin.co.do in his residence, Yzaguirre said corruption is stoked by several sources, including low wages in the country, which leads to difficulties in maintaining a family.

"That has several sources of help, starting with the people of ill will, secondly we must note that the salaries are very low, it is difficult to support a family on low wages and those wages have to be improved, the legal system that creates impunity must be reformed and we have to work with prosecutors, with judges, police, with all who share in establishing an environment of justice and peace,” the diplomat said.

“So therefore we are all responsible and what’s important it is that we need to stress that it not only depends on the president, it doesn’t depend on Congress, legislators, it depends on all of us, even from friends and partners in the Dominican Republic, including the government of the United States," he said.

U.S. Government

Yzaguirre said corruption is a very important issue for the government of the United States and which in his view there’s been progress, so the players in the process shouldn’t just focus on the flaws, and continue to deal with the problem instead. “That’s to say that what I want is to convey is that all these challenges can be surmounted, we can move forward and we’re going to end corruption, if we have the political will to do so."