Dominican Republic commemorates National Freedom Day today

Santo Domingo.– The Dominican Republic commemorates National Freedom Day on May 30th, a date established by Decree 335-21 to honor national resistance and remember the victims of assassinations, disappearances, torture, and other abuses committed during the 31 years of the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina.

The commemoration coincides with the anniversary of Trujillo's execution, which occurred on May 30, 1961, an event that marked the beginning of the end of one of the longest and most repressive regimes in Latin America. The decree, issued by President Luis Abinader in 2021, establishes that this date should serve to recognize the struggle of thousands of Dominicans who faced tyranny and defended democratic values, national sovereignty, and the dignity of the Dominican people. The provision also highlights the importance of preserving historical memory and honoring those who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of freedom and the restoration of fundamental rights in the country. In instituting the commemoration, the Government highlighted that the Dominican people have maintained a permanent democratic vocation and have never stopped fighting for their independence, sovereignty, and freedom. Each year, various public, educational, and cultural institutions carry out activities to remember the events that led to the end of the Trujillo dictatorship and promote reflection on the importance of democracy, human rights, and civil liberties. This Friday, on the anniversary of the events of May 30, 1961, the nation remembers the men and women who contributed to ending the Trujillo regime, considered one of the most transcendental chapters in contemporary Dominican history.