Juan Manuel Méndez takes over INTRANT: Commitment to the regime of consequences and institutional management
Retired General Juan Manuel Méndez has assumed the executive directorship of the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (INTRANT) with a clear vision: vehicular chaos in the Dominican Republic has no magic solution, so his administration will focus on efficient management, inter-institutional coordination, and strict compliance with the law.
In his first statements after taking office, the former director of the Emergency Operations Center (COE) was blunt in pointing out that his approach will not be to promise immediate solutions, but to manage the system responsibly. Méndez acknowledges that the reality of traffic is a complex challenge that requires a change in civic culture, citing as an example the exemplary behavior that Dominicans show when driving abroad under the pressure of a real regime of consequences.
No one is going to solve the traffic problem. Let’s not kid ourselves here. We are going to manage it.
Juan Manuel Méndez, director of INTRANT
Coordination and delimitation of responsibilities
One of the pillars of his administration will be collaboration between state entities. Méndez emphasized that traffic management involves multiple agencies, such as the Ministry of Public Works, city halls, DIGESETT, and OPRET. In this regard, he has made it clear that he will not allow INTRANT to bear responsibilities that are not its own.
- Consequence regime: Strengthen the operational and logistical capacity of DIGESETT to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Crisis management: Apply the experience gained in managing egos and inter-institutional coordination during his time at the COE.
- Technical priorities: Evaluate critical points such as Kilometer 9 of the Duarte Highway, review left turns, and advance in vehicle technical inspection.
The official stressed that every institution must fulfill its role, and he will not hesitate to point out when an agency does not carry out the tasks that correspond to it. “I am not going to carry anyone’s baggage,” he stated firmly, reiterating that his priority is efficiency and transparency.
A commitment to reputation
Méndez arrives at INTRANT at a crucial moment, with the goal of restoring public trust in an institution vital to Greater Santo Domingo. Aware of the challenges and controversies that have surrounded the agency, the director was emphatic about his tenure in the position.
Recalling his family’s concern for preserving his legacy, Méndez asserted that his commitment is to his principles. “If I cannot endure it, I will leave,” he declared, making it clear that he prefers to retire in time rather than allow his work to be compromised by factors that prevent ethical and professional performance.
Among his first administrative actions, the new head has begun to reintegrate experienced technicians who were previously dismissed, seeking to leverage the human capital necessary to transform mobility in the country.
