Opposition party meeting stokes fear of another shootout

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s biggest opposition party (PRD) faces yet another gauntlet as its top echelon, the National Executive Committee (CEN), is slated to meet Thursday, just months after a shootout and injuries ended a similar gathering at its national headquarters in January.

Julio Mariñez, of the faction headed by PRD president Miguel Vargas, said the registration for the CEN’s 2,307 members starts 6am in the Carlos Teo Cruz boxing arena, and formally begins at 8am

He said the PRD guarantees the safety of CEN members during the meeting as well order around the site. “It’s forbidden to enter the premises with weapons or other items that could be considered as such.”