Michael Peralta rejects land‑use plan for El Salado, Dominican Republic

Community leader Michael Peralta, from La Ceiba del Salao, voiced strong opposition at a press conference led by Vice Minister of Territorial Planning Domingo Matías. The officials presented a draft Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial for the Verón–Punta Cana area, a development proposal that the affected communities – El Salado, La Ceiba del Salao, Cañada Honda, Peñón de los Reyes, Tres Piezas and others – have categorically rejected.

Peralta criticized the lack of transparency about the technical studies underpinning the plan, the absence of municipal representatives at the briefing, and what he described as an arrogant, closed‑door approach. He demanded that authorities provide clear answers, involve community representatives, and respect the rights and security of thousands of families whose future the plan would shape.