Biography of Abel Martínez Durán

Abel Martínez Durán has transitioned from fiscal prosecutor of Santiago (1999) to deputy and president of the Chamber of Deputies (2010–2016), and from 2016 to 2024 as mayor of the second city in the country. His legislative and municipal management, based on transparency and the “culture of peace”, led him to become the presidential candidate of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) for the elections of May 19, 2024.

Training and Personal Life of Abel Martínez

• Birth and studies: Born on April 21, 1972, in Santiago de los Caballeros. He attended primary school in Hato Viejo (Monción) and studied Law at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra.
• Family: He is the youngest son of Ramón Martínez and Mélida Durán. He is married to the communicator Nahiony Reyes, with whom he has two children.

Legislative Management and Mayoralty of Abel Martínez

As President of the Chamber of Deputies, he was the youngest in the hemisphere and promoted key laws: National Development Strategy, New Penal Code, modifications to the Minor's Code and Law 911. He also promoted the Dominican Children's Constitution and transparency through live broadcasts, interactive portals and mobile apps. In his mayorship of Santiago (2016–2024) he led the recovery of public spaces, cultural modernization, reforestation, and video surveillance systems. Under his motto “working for a culture of peace”, he transformed the city into a benchmark for municipal management.

Abel Martinez Presidential Candidacy 2024

• Proclamation and Campaign Team: Abel Martínez was proclaimed PLD candidate in October 2023. By May 2024, he had Zoraíma Cuello as his running mate and the organizational support of Andrés Navarro as general coordinator
• Government Pillars:
  • Three security rings for immediate response to crime.
  • ‘Patria Segura’ program for the border with Haiti.
  • ‘Capital Semilla’: incentives of ₡300,000 for university graduates.
  • ‘Deuda Cero’: elimination of loans to banking institutions
• Voting intention and result: Although the PLD remains as the second force, the polls placed it in a distant third place behind Luis Abinader (PRM) and Leonel Fernández (Fuerza del Pueblo).
  In the first round on May 19, 2024, it obtained 453,468 votes (20.50%), finishing in third place and without advancing to the runoff.

Paternity Controversy and Its Outcome

• Accusations (August 2024): Businesswoman Keire Vargas accused him of refusing a DNA test after claiming she had a child with him when she was 16 years old. Juan Antonio Collado, registered as the legal father, denied manipulations.
• Legal Response (September 3, 2024): He admitted to a "brief" and consensual "romantic relationship," offered immediate financial support, and requested the paternity verification process before the governing body for Children and Adolescents.
• Confirmation of Non-Paternity (June 6, 2025): A laboratory in the U.S. confirmed that he is not the biological father of the minor. His team highlighted the handling "with maturity, transparency, and adherence to legal procedures," and Abel Martínez reiterated his respect for the family's privacy and thanked the public for their support.



Nombre completo	Abel Martínez Durán
Fecha de nacimiento	21 de abril de 1972
Lugar de nacimiento	Santiago de los Caballeros, República Dominicana
Profesión	Político, educador y abogado
Formación académica	Licenciatura en Derecho y Ciencias Políticas, PUCMM
Partido político	Partido de la Liberación Dominicana (PLD)
Cargos principales	• Diputado (2006–2020) • Presidente de la Cámara de Diputados (2010–2016) • Alcalde de Santiago de los Caballeros (2020–presente)
Candidatura presidencial	Aspirante oficial del PLD en las elecciones del 19 de mayo de 2024 (20.50 % de los votos, tercer lugar)
Controversia de paternidad	• Acusación pública: agosto 2024 • Prueba de ADN (EE. UU.): 6 de junio de 2025 – confirmó no paternidad
Estado civil	Casado con Nahiony Reyes
Hijos	Dos
Reconocimientos	UTESA (Mérito), Colegio de Abogados RD, Visitante Distinguido en Paterson (EE. UU.), entre otros
Presencia internacional	Presidente de FOPREL; Co-presidente del Centro Global de TIC ONU; miembro de UIP, PARLATINO, CARICOM