Two dead, hobbled tourism as Las Terrenas energy crisis festers

Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic. – Several days of protests over the high electric bill have left two people dead, four hurt, hobbled the famous beach town’s tourism and more than 30 arrests as of Tuesday night.

The first death from the protests that began Friday occurred Sunday, when a power line post toppled by vandals crushed Benjamin Casillas, who was passing through the village or Los Puentes.

The authorities identified the second fatal victim as Cesareo de Gracia,allegedly shot by police Tuesday afternoon, after which relatives paraded his body through the streets to demand justice.

The protests have marred the area’s tourism, prompting authorities to bolster security, while electricity service has collapsed in some areas as long as five days leading, blamed on the collapse of more than 20 power line posts, and around two kilometers of cut and power lines, according local media.

The crisis began with the Luz y Fuerza powr company underwent an internal conflict pitting shareholders, with chaos in billing and service disruptions.