Yeni Berenice warns that the "happy triggers" will face up to 20 years in prison with the new Penal Code

Santo Domingo. – The Attorney General of the Republic, Yeni Berenice Reynoso, warned that with the entry into force of the new Dominican Penal Code, those who fire shots into the air —the so-called “happy triggers”— could face sentences of up to 20 years in prison, as they are considered responsible for homicide with eventual intent. During the conference “Impact of the New Dominican Penal Code and the Public Procurement Law on Internal Control”, organized by the Comptroller General of the Republic, Reynoso explained that the new regulations deeply modernize criminal legislation, incorporating 27 new criminal offenses and strengthening sanctions for existing crimes.

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"A shot in the air will no longer be an unpunished act nor a manslaughter. Whoever does it must answer for homicide with eventual intent, and the penalty may reach up to 20 years. Let those who are trigger-happy think it over before doing it, because 20 years in confinement is not easy at all," emphasized the prosecutor.

Reynoso highlighted that the reforms seek to protect life and citizen security, as well as to strengthen the fight against administrative corruption, embezzlement of funds, and other infractions that affect the collective well-being. He also emphasized that corruption should be understood as a violation of human rights, as the diversion of public resources directly impacts essential services such as health and education.

"Corruption not only steals public assets, it steals lives. When the money that should go to hospitals or schools is diverted, the consequence is the death or suffering of many Dominicans," he said.

During his intervention, he also highlighted the role of the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic and the State's internal auditors as "guardians of control and legality", urging them to act with rigor, independence and ethics.

"Internal control is not for looking, it is for controlling. Not to paralyze, but to ensure that procedures are followed. When procedures are violated, misconduct is just around the corner," he pointed out.

Finally, he valued the work of the Comptroller Félix Antonio Santana García, whom he recognized for the institutional advances in transparency, although he reiterated that “laws are not applied alone”, but depend on the commitment and responsibility of public servants and citizens.