Proposal for a national dialogue on citizen security sparks debate in the political sphere
The recent initiative by former President Leonel Fernández, who urged the creation of a national dialogue to address the crisis of crime and insecurity, has received the backing of key figures from the ruling party, including the Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza. The proposal seeks for both the Government and opposition forces to unify efforts to design a comprehensive strategy to face this problem that concerns Dominican society.
Reactions from Congress
The proposal has generated diverse positions among legislators, who are analyzing whether this meeting is necessary to reformulate current security policies or if the State already possesses the necessary tools to act.
- Rafael Barón Duluc (Cholitín): The senator for La Altagracia stressed that citizen security is a collective commitment that transcends political banners. He argued that the participation of young people and the citizenry is fundamental to strengthening prevention.
- Dagoberto Rodríguez: The senator advocated for a broad working group that includes churches, civil society, and neighborhood associations, granting the latter a more active role in their communities.
- Julio Fulcar: The legislator highlighted the importance of integrating families, the business sector, and schools into a more robust prevention policy.
Citizen security is not just a government issue, it is not even a political party issue, but rather an issue for everyone.
Rafael Barón Duluc, Senator
The opposition’s vision
Within the opposition sectors, opinions remain divided. While some legislators question the effectiveness of current government measures, others express their willingness to collaborate if an official call is formalized.
Deputy Gustavo Sánchez, of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), expressed skepticism about the usefulness of new dialogues, arguing that the Government possesses the legal powers to execute concrete actions without the need for additional consensus. On the other hand, José David Báez, spokesperson for the People’s Force (Fuerza del Pueblo), stated that his organization is open to dialogue, although it maintains a critical stance on the current administration’s handling of public security.
Likewise, Senator Eduard Espíritusanto supported the idea of a major national plan, noting that the frequency of violent incidents in the country is a clear sign that the current strategy requires a deep and urgent review.
