Santo Domingo.- The Presidency’s Adviser on drugs affirmed Monday that president Leonel Fernandez isn’t being provided “loyal” information on the two most wanted fugitives, and revealed that one of them made “important” contributions to political parties, including the ruling PLD.
Marino Vinicio Castillo (Vincho) made reference to the Puerto Rican fugitive Josè Figueroa Agosto and his alleged paramour the Dominican Sobeida Fèliz, sought in connection with the seizure of 4.6 million dollars.
He also said that they are still in the country. “I do not believe that they have gone abroad. They are both here.”
He said he suspects Feliz is hiding out in a tourism complex in the country and protected by some “fat fish” of organized crime, since the fugitives face a higher risk of capture abroad and affirmed that Figueroa’s 11 identity cards reveal the fact that he has to have “powerful relations” in different areas.
“That person had 11 identities and made powerful relations with the Dominican political and social world,” and revealed that Figueroa made “important” contributions to political parties, including the ruling PLD party.
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 2:58 PM
From: United States
Tell us something else we already don't know!
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 3:06 PM
From: United States
Vincho is preparing a cover for LIE-onel Fernandez:
"President Leonel Fernandez isn’t being provided “loyal” information," because the Puerto Rican fugitive is wanted by the US Federal authorities and they will demand answers as to how this guy was hiding in plain sight.
This guy could not have moved around the country as Vincho states without “powerful relations!”
Could the “powerful relations” lead to the National Palace or will there be a fall guy to take "One for the Gipper!"
From: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata
Vincho: name names for a change.
Written by: Belly, 30 Nov 2009 3:28 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Houston,Texas y San Francisco, DR
WalterPolo
Here is the full list of names:
ALL but Wilton Guerrero.
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 3:31 PM
From: United States
Belly,
I agree with that!
Written by: anthonyC, 30 Nov 2009 3:52 PM
From: United States, I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.
Does anybody really care what vincho has to say?
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 4:00 PM
From: United States
Cubanito,
Why are you Dissing a "nice" right wing nut like yourself?
Written by: juanb, 30 Nov 2009 4:10 PM
From: Dominican Republic
While out this morning I noticed a couple of newspapers with headlines referring to the intensive search for Sobeida Feliz. I started thinking about how odd it is that noone seems to be interested, in the slightest about her boyfriend. He is the one that was operating here in broad daylight. He was the rightful owner of the $4,600,000 turned in. (Notice that I did not say found. You can be sure that number was a lot higher). He was the one who escaped from prison. And yet everyone, the police, the newspapers, the tv news programs, only want to talk about her. Why is that? I wonder.
From: United States
paper tigres......
Dumb ass........
Dominicans live off of the fact that corruption in the DR is rewarded...........
Imagine the consequences.
From: United States
juanb, Do you know why?
There is not one Dominican there that has enough moral fiber to so do any good. None.
Poor will be poor, illiterate will be illiterate. The majority will be clueless.
Shameful.
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 4:22 PM
From: United States
juan,
You are right that is very interesting!
From: United States
If I was wanted and had the money those people had I would hide out in the DR too. Anyone can be bought and you can easily hide without ever being found. They can fake their own getaways and deaths numerous times until people believe it and just stay put. The DR corruption leaves egg on LF's face again. For all we know he could even be involved and just be talking out the side of his face. He has yet to punish any of blatantly corrupt officials. Denounced corruption and did nothing about it. Until this basic problem changes in my country none of our large hurdles can be crossed.
Written by: msjersey, 30 Nov 2009 5:35 PM
From: United States, New Jersey(Cibaeno/Los mina)
joseano, joseano, joseano, if only you shut up...
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 5:46 PM
From: United States
Missy,
I you don't like the music change the station!
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 5:57 PM
From: United States
Veronica,
Excellent assessment!
Written by: Atabey, 30 Nov 2009 6:31 PM
From: United States
Perhaps both are getting new identities and plastic surgeries. A few more months and they'll be on their way. Besides, I have to say that given all the corruption and destructive forces unleashed by any attempt at modernization, outside of several well documented Asian societies, DR's attempt is probably par for the course. We all hope that DR's attempt would prove otherwise, but sadly it continues along the lines of most, and that includes our very own here in the US of A.
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 6:44 PM
From: United States
And now for the real danger to the Republic that Vincho and LIE-onel Fernandez are trying to divert us from:
"Veloz says that while to service the debt in 1996 the government had to use 8 cents of every peso, by 2008 it was using 34 cents of each peso, without taking the new loans and the arrears into account. "
"He warns that the public debt is growing faster than the Gross Domestic Product."
"He says that Latin American countries that followed this path became poorer, there was an increase in unemployment, inflation increased, and there were successive deficits in the current account and a major flight of capital."
Read it all!
Unsustainable borrowing?
In today's Hoy newspaper, former Central Bank operations manager Apolinar Veloz makes the point that the amount a country can borrow is determined by its capacity to pay, not by comparisons with the debt situation in other countries.
Continued:
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 6:45 PM
From: United States
He shares the concerns expressed by business groups and civil society about the spectacular increase in government borrowing, and concerns of the way government is using the borrowed money.
He warns that after the signing of the Stand-by Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country could take on US$5.4 billion in debt over the next 28 months. He says that according to the Central Bank the public debt stock is US$11.435 billion, which would mean if all the credit that is now available were taken on, this would increase by 47.2%. He warns that the public debt is growing faster than the Gross Domestic Product. He points out that if the Central Bank's quasi-fiscal debt were added (US$547.4 million in 2009) then the public debt would be US$11.982 billion, or 5% more.
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 6:45 PM
From: United States
Veloz says that while to service the debt in 1996 the government had to use 8 cents of every peso, by 2008 it was using 34 cents of each peso, without taking the new loans and the arrears into account.
He drives home the important point: "If one considers the fixed expenditures of the central government that come from laws that specialize a certain proportion of the tax revenue, current expenditures due to the growth of the government payroll, political propaganda and political patronage (disguised as welfare), one can easily conclude that government constructions are financed with what is left over after covering their own political needs. To take on more loans to grow does not make sense when a significant proportion of the tax revenues are already being paid to international and domestic lenders".
Veloz says that government savings are negative, especially in recent years, when taxes lag behind expenditures.
Continued:
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 6:57 PM
From: United States
He makes the point that the government had cash flow quarterly deficits at the time of closing the agreement with the IMF, which has led the government to finance itself with arrears in its payment of debt. The Ministry of Hacienda estimates a deficit of around US$1.246 billion for the year-end and US$1.324 billion for 2010. In other words, the tax revenues are not enough to cover government spending, neither for 2009 nor during 2010.
He says it is clear that taxpayers will have to pay to service the public debt. He says that Latin American countries that followed this path became poorer, there was an increase in unemployment, inflation increased, and there were successive deficits in the current account and a major flight of capital.
continued:
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 7:00 PM
From: United States
"The current administration is spending today what it does not have (increasing public debt) and tomorrow it will need more money (from taxpayers) to pay the public debt, which will reduce money in circulation, consumption and aggregate demand will drop, with a decline in future economic growth. This will then lead to an increase in taxes," he writes.
He concludes that if this administration cannot show progress in reducing poverty during its boom years (2005-2008), one cannot expect it will do so during the current economic crisis. But he then warns that government officials reason that within the euphoria of short-term growth that borrowing generates... in the long term we will all be dead."
Source DR1
¡Y NO ERA Y QUE P'a LANTE QUE ÍBAMOS!
Written by: juanb, 30 Nov 2009 7:02 PM
From: Dominican Republic
The people don't care.
Written by: Atabey, 30 Nov 2009 7:33 PM
From: United States
Not being an economist, I would say that the DR is riding a boom and bust cycle. The feast is on and all are having their fill. Soon the sadness and regret will gain the high ground and fingers will be pointed in all directions. That is until the new cycle begins. Gozalo while you can Josean. It's the current dance of millions.
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 7:38 PM
From: United States
"Gozalo while you can Josean."
Atabey,
"Taking Notice" and speaking out against the plundering and pillaging of my country's resources doesn’t imply "Taking JOY" in the suffering of million of Dominicans at the hands of these political criminals!
Written by: Atabey, 30 Nov 2009 8:38 PM
From: United States
I expect that DR will go boom and bust for a few more rounds and perhaps in twenty years time things will average out with a still sub-Puerto Rican standard of living, controlled criminal culture, gated communities, a lively ex-pat cultural space, more tourism, and a greater flow back and forth between the country and its metropolis.
Written by: Atabey, 30 Nov 2009 8:38 PM
From: United States
Josean, I believe you mean well and all. But don't go to the extreme of thinking that the DR can do what few have done before, modernize without mass corruption and criminal behavior. In a word its human nature we're dealing with, and people will act according to their base interest; especially in a Dominicana state of nature. It would be lovely indeed if DR could modernize and develop free of these twin monsters, but sadly, and outside of very homogeneous societies, this has not been the case. Even a country I much admire, Costa Rica-(Figueres' son and the former President Calderon), has not escaped these all too humane impulses. I salute your efforts, nevertheless, and say continue tilting against those monsters.
Written by: anthonyC, 30 Nov 2009 9:10 PM
From: United States, I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.
"Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 4:00 PM
From: United States
Why are you Dissing a "nice" right wing nut like yourself?"
Vincho a right wing nut?
Liberals are sooooooooooooooooo ignorant. Vincho is as much a right-wing nut as Mussilini, Franco and Chavez.
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 10:02 PM
From: United States
Atabey,
Keep the faith baby, keep the faith, it is always darkest before dawn!
Written by: josean, 30 Nov 2009 10:04 PM
From: United States
anthonyC,
If you don't know that Vincho is a right wing nut then you are really just a NUT!
Written by: riosm, 30 Nov 2009 11:54 PM
From: United States
Josean Da Chosen",
Your so selective on your inputs......
As the saying goes when your right, your RIGHT.
Beck and the gang at Fox news send there best regards to you and Sean Da Penn Head.
Take care.
From: United States
Josean, i have said it numerous times, and , finally, you ave posted an article from a recognised economist, who shares my concerns. i say it once more. GDP means nothing, if looked at in a vaccuum. it is the portion of CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT that really is meaningful. what good is it if your economy goes up by three points, and your liabilities go up by five?
From: United States, New Haven, CT
I see that everyone has been pin pointing the negatives and all but in reality, what is the solution?
what strategic plan should the DR governing body take to prevent or for better saying remedy the impending danger of gigantic national debt, and where does that leave the people in this?
I'm not an economist( more of a social scientist) so I would appreciate some light on this matter.
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"President Leonel Fernandez isn’t being provided “loyal” information," because the Puerto Rican fugitive is wanted by the US Federal authorities and they will demand answers as to how this guy was hiding in plain sight.
This guy could not have moved around the country as Vincho states without “powerful relations!”
Could the “powerful relations” lead to the National Palace or will there be a fall guy to take "One for the Gipper!"
Here is the full list of names:
ALL but Wilton Guerrero.
I agree with that!
Why are you Dissing a "nice" right wing nut like yourself?
paper tigres......
Dumb ass........
Dominicans live off of the fact that corruption in the DR is rewarded...........
Imagine the consequences.
There is not one Dominican there that has enough moral fiber to so do any good. None.
Poor will be poor, illiterate will be illiterate. The majority will be clueless.
Shameful.
You are right that is very interesting!
I you don't like the music change the station!
Excellent assessment!
"Veloz says that while to service the debt in 1996 the government had to use 8 cents of every peso, by 2008 it was using 34 cents of each peso, without taking the new loans and the arrears into account. "
"He warns that the public debt is growing faster than the Gross Domestic Product."
"He says that Latin American countries that followed this path became poorer, there was an increase in unemployment, inflation increased, and there were successive deficits in the current account and a major flight of capital."
Read it all!
Unsustainable borrowing?
In today's Hoy newspaper, former Central Bank operations manager Apolinar Veloz makes the point that the amount a country can borrow is determined by its capacity to pay, not by comparisons with the debt situation in other countries.
Continued:
He warns that after the signing of the Stand-by Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country could take on US$5.4 billion in debt over the next 28 months. He says that according to the Central Bank the public debt stock is US$11.435 billion, which would mean if all the credit that is now available were taken on, this would increase by 47.2%. He warns that the public debt is growing faster than the Gross Domestic Product. He points out that if the Central Bank's quasi-fiscal debt were added (US$547.4 million in 2009) then the public debt would be US$11.982 billion, or 5% more.
He drives home the important point: "If one considers the fixed expenditures of the central government that come from laws that specialize a certain proportion of the tax revenue, current expenditures due to the growth of the government payroll, political propaganda and political patronage (disguised as welfare), one can easily conclude that government constructions are financed with what is left over after covering their own political needs. To take on more loans to grow does not make sense when a significant proportion of the tax revenues are already being paid to international and domestic lenders".
Veloz says that government savings are negative, especially in recent years, when taxes lag behind expenditures.
Continued:
He says it is clear that taxpayers will have to pay to service the public debt. He says that Latin American countries that followed this path became poorer, there was an increase in unemployment, inflation increased, and there were successive deficits in the current account and a major flight of capital.
continued:
He concludes that if this administration cannot show progress in reducing poverty during its boom years (2005-2008), one cannot expect it will do so during the current economic crisis. But he then warns that government officials reason that within the euphoria of short-term growth that borrowing generates... in the long term we will all be dead."
Source DR1
¡Y NO ERA Y QUE P'a LANTE QUE ÍBAMOS!
Atabey,
"Taking Notice" and speaking out against the plundering and pillaging of my country's resources doesn’t imply "Taking JOY" in the suffering of million of Dominicans at the hands of these political criminals!
From: United States
Why are you Dissing a "nice" right wing nut like yourself?"
Vincho a right wing nut?
Liberals are sooooooooooooooooo ignorant. Vincho is as much a right-wing nut as Mussilini, Franco and Chavez.
Keep the faith baby, keep the faith, it is always darkest before dawn!
If you don't know that Vincho is a right wing nut then you are really just a NUT!
Your so selective on your inputs......
As the saying goes when your right, your RIGHT.
Beck and the gang at Fox news send there best regards to you and Sean Da Penn Head.
Take care.
what strategic plan should the DR governing body take to prevent or for better saying remedy the impending danger of gigantic national debt, and where does that leave the people in this?
I'm not an economist( more of a social scientist) so I would appreciate some light on this matter.