Valera Asks To Repeal Resolution Restricting Alcohol Sale In Santo Domingo

This Wednesday, Nov. 9, Bolvar Valera, a Dominican Liberation Party deputy for the province of Santo Domingo, declared that he had presented a legislative resolution that seeks to overturn the most recent prohibition on the sale of alcoholic beverages in the province, resolution No. 007/2022 of the Ministry of the Interior and Police and the National Police, Diario Libre reported.

The legislator considered that Minister Jesús-Chu- Vázquez and Police Director Alberto Then continue to "improvise with citizen security in the province with the announcement of resolution No. 007/2022."

In the municipalities of Santo Domingo Este, Santo Domingo Oeste, Boca Chica, Los Alcarrizos, Pedro Brand, San Antonio de Guerra, and the municipal districts belonging to each of the previous municipalities of the Santo Domingo province, the sale and dispensing of alcoholic beverages is prohibited from Monday through Sunday from twelve midnight (12:00 am) to eight in the morning (8:00 am).

Valera assured that the provisions are against Dominican law and constitutional rights to freedom of association, freedom of business, and freedom of recreation and association.

He considered that the restrictions that "may lead to the temporary or permanent closure of the establishment, as well as the cancellation of the corresponding licenses or permits, do not have the legal guarantee for the affected population."

Valera said that the sector's businesses are united in their opposition to the resolution in question and the other measures that have been proposed.

“Our authorities cannot punish the legal merchant, who works honestly to support his family. We cannot let crime win us over and with this resolution, both the Minister of the Interior and Police and the Director of the National Police demonstrate their inefficiency in controlling crime. There is no real strategy to deal with the problem of citizen security,” said Valera.

He also criticized President Luis Abinader for declaring a National Emergency in the province of Santo Domingo without first consulting the National Congress.

According to a news release, the province of Santo Domingo's representative invited the authorities to a work table with local business people, residents, and merchants. According to him, the only way to ensure citizen security is to collaborate on a plan that is aimed at producing concrete results.