Medina faced first protest at tiny village

Barahona, Dominican Republic.- In an unprecedented development, villagers of Quita Coraza, near the southwestern city of Barahona, halted traffic Wednesday morning to demand several works, just hours before president Danilo Medina was set to cut ribbons on several schools and housing projects.

The protesters, who torched tires, debris and branches right on the road, also forced National Palace Press director Roberto Rodriguez Marchena to stop his vehicle, as well as those of the reporters assigned to cover the Presidency.

The residents demand piped water, electricity, more schools, and the construction of a better baseball park.

They said Medina visited their village during his campaign and expressed concerns, but now that he’s President, has visited several southwestern towns in, but not theirs.

Rodriguez was forced to get out of his vehicle and talk with the residents, and promised to convey their demands to Medina.