Abel Martínez Tops PLD Preference, Deputy Ydenia Doñé Claims

Deputy Ydenia Doñé, a member of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), said that former Santiago mayor Abel Martínez is currently ahead of Gonzalo Castillo in the party’s internal race to become the presidential candidate. Doñé added that former president Danilo Medina has stayed neutral in the process and that she will support the candidate the PLD ultimately selects. She credited Abel for his campaign support in the 2024 elections and noted that the PLD plans to hold the official candidate selection in 2027, as required by electoral law, with Abel opposing any early consultation.

Communicator Virgilio Feliz later responded to statements made by Abel Martínez, warning him that invoking the new penal code for defamation would require Martínez to first examine his own remarks. Feliz said Martínez had accused him of dishonorable conduct without evidence and urged a factual rebuttal instead of personal attacks.