Dominican politician Carlos Amarante says he and ex‑president Leonel Fernández fell victim to PLD crisis

Carlos Amarante Baret, a Dominican political leader, said he and former president Leonel Fernández were victims of the internal crisis that split the Partido de la Liberación Dominicana (PLD). He recalled rejecting what he saw as the imposed candidacy of Gonzalo Castillo during the 2020 presidential primary, a move he described as contrary to democratic party processes.

Amarante quoted his earlier remarks: “In 2018‑2019 I understood I could be a presidential candidate. I prepared my whole life to serve the country and had the legitimate right to aspire to that candidacy.” He added, “In the end, Leonel and I ended up being victims.” The dispute led to the creation of the Avancemos movement, which promotes internal party democracy and opposes imposed candidates.