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- BBC News World
38 minutes
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The Minister of the Environment of the Dominican Republic, Orlando Jorge Mera, was shot dead in his office on Monday, the country’s government confirmed.
“In the morning hours, the minister lost his life when he was attacked in his office with a firearm,” the Presidency of the Republic reported in a statement.
Jorge Mera, 55, was the son of former President Salvador Jorge Blanco.
The Presidency identified Miguel Cruz as the author of the attack, “a personal friend” of the victim.
“The reasons for the incident are under investigation,” said the Presidency, without giving further details.
The family of the deceased also issued a statement explaining that Jorge Mera had received his murderer in his office, whom he confirmed was “a childhood friend.”
The close relatives expressed their confidence in the investigation, thanked the shows of support and assured that they forgive the perpetrator since “not holding a grudge” is one of the minister’s legacies.
Orlando Jorge Mera had been in office since August 2020, when the president’s government began Luis Abinader.
He had a law degree and was a leader of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM).
He was married to the Dominican ambassador to Brazil, Patricia Villegas, and had two children, one of them a deputy.
More information soon.
