Dominican Republic: The Rule of Personalismo

A year after the last U.S. troops pulled out of the Dominican Republic, the country's chief domestic product is still bolas—rumors. A few weeks ago they flew as thickly as fat Dominican mosquitoes when President Joaquin Balaguer sacked the top men in his air force, national police and military staff. Though Balaguer likes to juggle the top ranks occasionally as a regular matter, word of widespread plots and intrigue spread through Santo Domingo. When asked about it at a press conference, the sober little President allowed himself a rare smile. "In this...

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