Dominican Republic CNM faces scrutiny over Supreme Court judge ratifications

The National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) in the Dominican Republic is facing criticism for failing to release the official minutes regarding the recent evaluation and ratification of Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) judges. Forty-seven days after the decision was made on September 8, the document detailing the technical, legal, and ethical evaluations remains unpublished on the official portal.

During the evaluation process, the CNM ratified five judges—Justiniano Montero Montero, Fran Euclides Soto Sánchez, Samuel Arias Arzeno, Anselmo Alejandro Bello Ferreras, and Rafael Vásquez Goico—for seven-year terms. However, the council opted not to ratify Francisco Antonio Jerez Mena and Vanessa Acosta Peralta.

The lack of transparency has raised questions regarding the criteria used for these decisions. While the CNM is tasked with assessing jurisdictional performance, administrative management, and ethical commitment, the specific reasoning for the non-ratification of certain judges and the individual voting records of the council members have not been disclosed. The council is expected to appoint and swear in new judges to fill the vacancies, including the presidency of the SCJ.