Santiago Matías defends new political project amid criticism

Santiago Matías, the entrepreneur and communicator behind Alofoke Media Group, is navigating political scrutiny and public debates regarding his new political project, Dominicanos Primero.

In response to comments by former President Leonel Fernández, who characterized Matías's political involvement as a mere communication phenomenon rather than a consolidated project, Matías defended his approach. He asserted that unlike Fernández, who utilized the existing structure of the PTD to form Fuerza del Pueblo, Matías is building his organization from the ground up to avoid the shortcuts of traditional politics. Matías has already filed a request with the Central Electoral Board to register Dominicanos Primero for the 2028 electoral cycle.

Separately, former Attorney General Francisco Domínguez Brito addressed past allegations regarding the removal of a criminal record associated with Matías. Domínguez Brito clarified that the removal was not a political favor but a mandatory compliance with a judicial sentence issued through a habeas data process. He acknowledged a personal friendship with Matías but maintained that his professional actions were strictly based on legal obligations.