Dominican Govt. may turn the other cheek to US Senator’s jabs

Santo Domingo.- The Government of the Dominican Republic may opt to ignore the letter by Democratic Senator Bob Menéndez to US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, in which the lawmaker labels as urgent “to use all the diplomatic tools at your disposal to underscore the importance of democratic governance in the Dominican Republic.”

“I’s imperative that President (Danilo) Medina respect the wishes of his people to accept their desire to maintain a presidential limit of two terms, as guaranteed by the constitution of the country,” the letter says

However, a Presidency source quoted by Diario Libre downplayed the New Jersey Senator’s influence as ranking member of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The source noted that Menéndez sought to block the confirmation of US ambassador, Robin S. Bernstein, appointed by president Donald Trump.

According to the same source Menéndez has no influence among Republicans to request Pompeo’s intervention to prevent a Constitutional amendment that would allow Medina’s reelection.