Joaquín Balaguer: 120 years since the birth of a controversial Dominican leader

The Dominican Republic marks the 120th anniversary of the birth of Joaquín Balaguer, who was born on September 1, 1906, in the municipality of Villa Bisonó, formerly known as Navarrete.

Balaguer remains a central and controversial figure in Dominican political history. His legacy is viewed as admirable by some and reprehensible by others, yet his influence persists among the presidents who succeeded him. The historical record notes that since 1996, successive leaders such as Leonel Fernández, Danilo Medina, and Luis Abinader have all sought reelection, a political move that mirrors patterns seen during Balaguer's era.