Report links former Spanish Minister José Bono to Dominican energy projects

Spain.- An investigation published by ABC Diario reports that former Spanish Defense Minister José Bono appears as a shareholder in Robiser Arrendamientos SL, a company linked to Valencian businessman Dimas de Andrés Puyol, whose firms have secured more than US$300 million in contracts to develop photovoltaic energy projects in the Dominican Republic. According to corporate documents cited in the report, Bono holds 105 shares in the company, making him its largest shareholder, although his name reportedly appears only in the Dominican Republic’s records and not in Spain’s commercial registry.

The investigation states that De Andrés, through Medcap Energy Caribe SRL, obtained 25-year concessions to develop the Pimentel Energy and Las Parras Energy solar projects in Duarte province and San Antonio de Guerra, with combined investments exceeding US$400 million. It also notes that companies linked to the businessman have participated in other ventures in the country, including a solid waste collection contract in Santo Domingo Norte that has faced public criticism over alleged service deficiencies.

José Bono denied having any business partnership with De Andrés or financial interests in the Dominican Republic’s energy projects, calling the allegations “an outrage and a lie.” The report also notes that De Andrés and his father were investigated in Spain over alleged financial crimes but were acquitted in 2022. The investigation included contributions from Dominican journalist Julissa Céspedes of CDN.