Bernardo Vega wins 2023 José Gabriel García Annual History Prize

Santo Domingo.- Dominican historian Bernardo Vega has won the prestigious 2023 José Gabriel García Annual History Prize for his work, The Fraudulent Elections of 1994 and Their Coincidences with the Embargo Against Haiti. The award, presented by the Ministry of Culture, recognizes outstanding research on Dominican history for the 2022-2023 period. Minister of Culture Milagros Germán announced the verdict, highlighting Vega’s significant contributions as an economist, archaeologist, anthropologist, and historian.

The jury praised the book for its relevance and originality, citing Vega’s use of previously inaccessible sources from American archives and interviews with key figures. They emphasized that the work sheds light on a contentious period in Dominican history and opens new avenues for research.

The prize includes a certificate of recognition, a 500,000-peso monetary award, and the publication of Vega’s book by the Ministry of Culture. This annual award alternates between published and unpublished works, aiming to promote the study of Dominican history and support local researchers.