President Abinader leads transfer of Juancito Rodríguez’s remains to the Pantheon of the Fatherland

Santo Domingo.- In a solemn ceremony, President Luis Abinader led the transfer of the remains of General Juan Rodríguez García (Juancito Rodríguez) to the Pantheon of the Fatherland, honoring one of the nation’s most courageous fighters against the Trujillo dictatorship. The event was described by the president as an act of “historical justice” for a man who sacrificed his fortune, family, and even the life of his son in the struggle for democracy and freedom in the Dominican Republic.

Abinader emphasized that Rodríguez’s legacy represents the unwavering spirit of those who resisted tyranny and helped lay the foundations of national democracy. The transfer fulfills Decree No. 288-25, issued on May 30, which officially declared Juancito Rodríguez a National Hero for his sacrifice and leadership in defending democratic values. The president noted that while the 1959 expedition he led was a military failure, it ignited the spirit of resistance that culminated in Trujillo’s assassination in 1961.

The State Funeral, held at the National Palace, was attended by First Lady Raquel Arbaje, Vice President Raquel Peña, and senior civil, military, and ecclesiastical officials. The ceremony included a thirteen-cannon salute, honor guards, and the National Anthem as Rodríguez’s remains were placed among the country’s immortal heroes. President Abinader concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to freedom, justice, and sovereignty, declaring that Juancito Rodríguez’s example “will forever live in the heart of the Dominican nation.”