Salcedo protests: Popular groups end 72-hour strike without agreements

Popular groups in Salcedo, Dominican Republic, have announced they will end a 72-hour strike this Friday at 6:00 a.m. despite failing to reach any formal agreements with local authorities. The strike, which paralyzed productive activities in the city, was organized by groups including the Movimiento Unido de la Parte Alta de Salcedo (MUPAS), the Movimiento Unido de la Parte Baja de Salcedo (MUBAS), and the Coalición de Salcedo (COAS).

Spokesperson Rafael Ramos criticized the performance of authorities in the Hermanas Mirabal province, citing incompetence and a lack of meaningful dialogue. Protesters expressed indignation over the presence of police and military forces in local neighborhoods during attempted meetings and dismissed a document presented by Senator María Mercedes Ortiz as insufficient.

Key community demands include the repair of local roads and community infrastructure, addressing electricity outages and high billing, and completing essential works such as the bridge connecting Las Caobas with El Lomo del Perro. Other concerns involve public lighting, sidewalk construction in Monte Adentro, and erosion protection in the Las Mercedes sector.