Spanish
Santo Domingo.– The citizen demonstration held this Sunday in front of the National Botanical Garden in defense of green areas was used by leaders of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) to launch strong criticisms against the Government and position proposals from their past administration, generating mixed reactions among attendees who expected a strictly environmental activity.
During her participation, the PLD vice president, Zoraima Cuello, denounced an alleged setback in environmental matters and stated that the current administration has not continued the Mobility Plan prepared by her party. "We are great technicians and politicians, defenders of the environment. Stop improvising and get advice. The PLD left clear proposals for urban mobility," she expressed, diverting the focus of the demonstration towards achievements of her previous administration. Similarly, the PLD's Environment head, Alfonso Ureña, called the current Minister of Environment, Miguel Ceara Hatton, "irresponsible" and asserted that the attempt at road intervention represents a pattern of destruction of green areas. "This is not just the Botanical Garden. We already saw it in the Olympic Center, where they cut down more than 300 trees," he said, while calling on citizens to join the fight.Although many protesters supported the message of environmental protection, some attendees expressed their disagreement with the political tone of the event. "We are here for nature, not for partisan flags," commented a citizen, while others chanted slogans like "Hands off!" in defense of the Botanical Garden, without political distinction.
The day, which began as a human chain convened by filmmaker José María Cabral and supported by social and environmental groups, was partially overshadowed by partisan speeches that, while agreeing on the rejection of the road work, also served as a platform to position criticisms of the current government and vindicate past administrations.
