Santo Domingo.- President Leonel Fernandez conducted another successful run of the Metro and "without pork rinds" yesterday, as he promised to the lawmakers in his speech to Congress last year.

The train left from the downtown station Centro de los Heroes at 12:35 p.m. after the blessing of the cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, but not before throngs rushed to the entrances as the disorder from the excess of passengers kept some legislators and journalists from boarding.

Fernandez arrived at the Mama Tingó station in Villa Mella at 12:48 p.m., after conducting it at 50 and 60 kilometers per hour nonstop along the train’s 14.5-kilometer route. He then returned to the Centro de los Heroes assisted by senior officials and Spanish technicians, accompanied by the first lady Margarita Cedeño, the Cardinal, diplomats and lawmakers.

"Magnificent, there’s no risk to the passengers when I drive," the chief executive said after the run.