Dominican Republic Supreme Court elects career judge Justiniano Montero

The National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) has unanimously elected magistrate Justiniano Montero Montero as the new president of the Supreme Court of Justice and the Council of the Judicial Power in the Dominican Republic. Montero, a career judge who has served on the Supreme Court since 2019, will be sworn in on November 10 at the National Palace.

Outgoing president Henry Molina and Montero have initiated an institutional transition process to ensure administrative continuity. The selection includes six additional new judges to integrate the Supreme Court: Arelys Socorro Ricourt Gómez, Antonia Grullón Blandino, Ylona De La Rocha Camilo, Diomede Villalona Guerrero, Julio Canó Alfau, and Amauri Pimentel Fabián.

Various sectors have responded to the appointment. The National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE) and the Dominican Institute of Procedural Law (INDODPRO) praised the decision, noting that the selection based on merit and judicial career path strengthens institutional trust and legal security. Senator Rogelio Genao also highlighted the appointment as a milestone for the separation of powers, noting that the decision occurred despite the Executive branch holding a majority in the CNM.