Cosette Bonnelly, prominent Dominican journalist, passes away

Cosette Bonnelly Betances, a distinguished journalist and the executive director of the Dominican newspaper El Nuevo Diario, has died at a medical center in Santo Domingo following health complications.

Bonnelly was a pivotal figure in the modernization of Dominican media, credited with creating the digital portal for El Nuevo Diario and driving its transition into the internet era. In 2023, she received special recognition from the Digital Media Observatory for her contributions to digital journalism.

Her passing has drawn condolences from high-ranking officials, including President Luis Abinader and former President Leonel Fernández. The Dominican community in New York also expressed grief, noting her role in strengthening the nation's democratic system through transparent communication.

She is survived by her husband, Persio Maldonado, the director of El Nuevo Diario, and their three children: Persio Sully, Mónica, and Sarah.