Legal disputes and press freedom concerns emerge in Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, businessman Luis Medrano has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to individuals accusing him of excluding artists from Jarabacoa from his concerts. His legal counsel, Francisco Manuel Lazala Puello, stated that the accusations are false, citing the participation of local groups like Osvaldo y su Clásico in recent events. Medrano’s team warned that failure to retract these claims could result in lawsuits for defamation and injury.

Separately, the Santiago branch of the Dominican College of Journalists (CDP) has condemned the actions of attorney Russel Aracena. During a judicial hearing regarding the death of driver Deivy Carlos Abreu Quezada, Aracena—representing Jhovanny de Jesús Metz Cruz, known as ‘El Macho’—requested the removal of journalists Marisela de la Cruz and Yenni Acevedo from the courtroom. The CDP described the behavior as intolerant and an affront to press freedom, emphasizing the right of journalists to report on matters of public interest.