Raquel Peña dreams of becoming the first woman president of the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo — Vice President Raquel Peña stated yesterday that she dreams of becoming the first female president of the Dominican Republic, contrary to what she said when asked if she ever wanted to be vice president of the nation.

Peña revealed her desire to climb the steps of the National Palace as elected head of state at the Manuel Arsenio Ureña Business Breakfast Conference of the Santiago Apóstol Archdiocesan Foundation (FASA), where she participated as keynote speaker with the topic “Women Leaders Driving Sustainable Economies.”

When journalist Grisbel Medina, moderator of the meeting, asked if she had thought of climbing the steps of the National Palace as President, she replied: “Look, Grisbel, I was once asked when I was vice-rector of administration and finance at PUCMM: Did you dream of being one? I said no.”

She said, “Then another day they ask me, now that I am vice president, did you dream of being vice president of the Republic? I said no. That question you are asking me, do you dream of climbing the steps as president of the Republic… yes,” she concluded to applause and cheers from those present.

Peña’s statements are heating the political debate and opening the race for the presidential candidacy in the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) in the 2028 elections.

His presidential aspirations were already an open secret in the country. If he finally launches his bid, Peña could face off against Tourism Minister David Collado, Inapa Director Wellington Arnaud, and the mayor of the National District, Carolina Mejía, among others rumored to be pre-candidates.

During the activity, Peña emphasized that women’s contributions in all productive sectors have contributed to the consolidation of an increasingly sustainable country.

She indicated that each Dominican woman plays an essential role in building a nation where “prosperity is not a privilege, but an opportunity for every Dominican man and woman.”

In this sense, she took the opportunity to recognize these contributions and described them as invaluable for promoting a sustainable economy.

She said that the government, under President Luis Abinader’s vision, is working to create public policies that strengthen and promote female leadership in all sectors of the economy.

“Women are an invaluable asset,” the vice president stressed, adding that” the future of sustainability is a country where women continue to gain more space at the head of companies, in public service and in political leadership.”

The president of the Santiago Apóstol Archdiocesan Foundation (FASA), Juan Manuel Ureña, said that this presentation refreshes ideas, strengthens will, and renews hope. He also stressed that the event supports the Archdiocese of Santiago’s social work to sow peace and Christian love by focusing on the family and young people.

The profits from the Business Breakfast cover part of the expenses of the Archdiocesan Church of Santiago, a commitment that was responsibly assumed by the late businessman and philanthropist Manuel Arsenio Ureña, to whom the breakfast is dedicated.