Leonel Fernández analyzes the political impact of Santiago Matías
The former President of the Republic and leader of the People’s Force, Leonel Fernández, offered his perspective on the figure of Santiago Matías, popularly known as Alofoke, acknowledging his influence in the Dominican communication ecosystem. Fernández categorized Matías as a communication phenomenon, highlighting his ability to innovate and connect with a massive audience that represents an important segment of society.
It has become a communicational phenomenon. I believe it has innovated a way of communicating that pleases an important sector of the Republic.
Leonel Fernández
The challenge of the transition to partisan politics
Despite acknowledging Matías’ media success, the former president drew a clear distinction between leadership on digital platforms and managing a political project with aspirations for power. According to Fernández, building a party organization requires elements that transcend popularity on social media:
- Consolidated territorial strength at the national level.
- A project founded on a vision of historical transcendence.
- Organizational structure capable of sustaining itself over time.
For Fernández, the creation of a party is a complex process that requires a national deployment, similar to the effort made with the Fuerza del Pueblo, so success in communication does not automatically guarantee success in electoral politics.
Santiago Matías’ path to the 2028 elections
Santiago Matías’ foray into politics is not a recent event. After having explored senatorial candidacies in the past, the businessman took a decisive step on July 22, 2026, by formally announcing the creation of his own political party. This decision came after rejecting proposals from more than 15 organizations that sought to nominate him for the presidency.
Matías’ project seeks to differentiate itself from what he calls the “old politics,” betting on innovative principles and a vision for the future. Currently, the communicator faces the logistical challenge of converting his digital influence into a formal structure before the Central Electoral Board (JCE), a process that includes collecting more than 87,000 signatures and forming a management team with reach throughout the Dominican territory.
See post about the official announcement of Santiago Matías’ new political project
