San Juan de la Maguana communities demand road repairs and jobs

Community leaders from La Higuera, Hondo Valle, Los Gajitos, Boca de los Arroyos, and La Ciénaga in San Juan de la Maguana have issued a collective demand for government intervention to address a severe socio-economic crisis.

Residents report that the primary road connecting these areas is unusable, hindering the transport of agricultural products and preventing patients from reaching medical centers. The lack of local medical personnel further exacerbates the situation. The economic decline has been intensified by the cessation of operations at the GoldQuest mining company, which resulted in significant unemployment and the loss of community support for local road maintenance.

During a mass demonstration, protesters called upon President Luis Abinader and Governor Ana María Castillo Mateo to repair the infrastructure and stimulate job creation. While emphasizing the need for environmental protection and water security, community representatives expressed openness to regulated mining projects that could provide employment and economic dynamism, provided that environmental impact studies are transparently published and strictly monitored.