Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (AP) – The Dominican Republic’s environment and natural resources minister was shot by a close friend in his office on Monday, according to a statement from the president’s office.
Authorities said Orlando Jorge Mera was shot by Miguel Cruz, who was arrested. Further details were not immediately obtained and it was not immediately clear if Cruz had a lawyer.
“We express our deepest condolences,” President Louis Abinader’s office said.
Police and emergency services raided the office of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in the capital, Santo Domingo, and blocked it from entering due to the number of people gathered there. Mera’s office is located on the fourth floor of the building, where the Ministry of Tourism is also based.
“We are concerned about the current situation,” the mayor said in a brief statement.
Bartholomew Pujals, chief executive of the Government Innovation Cabinet, wrote that he was concerned about the murder.
“His death was a tragedy,” he said. “We Dominicans must unite to reach an agreement of peace and peaceful coexistence. No more violence ”.
Mera is also a lawyer and a founding member of the Modern Revolutionary Party. In August 2020 he was appointed Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Source: Huffpost
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