Francisco Antonio Peña Guaba: biography of the Minister of Youth and current coordinator of the Social Policy Cabinet of the Presidency

Francisco Antonio Peña Guaba, also known as Tony Peña Guaba, is a Dominican politician and diplomat, born on August 21, 1967. Son of the historical social democratic leader José Francisco Peña Gómez and Julia Idalia Guaba Martínez, he has developed an extensive political career since a young age, encompassing key roles in government, the party sphere, and international politics.

He currently serves as the coordinator of the Social Policy Cabinet of the Presidency of the Dominican Republic, from where he directs the main social programs of the State, focused on combating poverty, inequality, and exclusion.

Academic Background of Tony Peña Guaba

Tony Peña Guaba attended school at Los Benjamines school, in Santo Domingo, and later moved to Spain, where he studied Political Science at the Jaime Vera school, belonging to the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). This training in an institution with a social democratic tradition consolidated him as a defender of social justice, human rights, and democratic values.

Francisco Peña Guaba's Early Political Career

From a young age, Tony Peña Guaba actively joined the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), holding various positions in its youth structures:

• President of the Youth External Sector of the PRD (1988–1990)
• National Vice President of the Dominican Revolutionary Youth (1990–1993)
• President of the JRD in the National District (1993–1998)
• Youth Campaign Coordinator of the PRD (1993–2004)
• National President of the JRD (1998–2005)
• Member of the National Executive Committee and Political Commission of the PRD (1992–2017)
• First National Vice President of the PRD (2005)
• Executive Director and Campaign Manager of the PRD (2005–2012)
• Campaign Manager for lawyer Luis Abinader in the PRD (2008–2015)
• Secretary General of the PRD (2015–2019)
• National Supervisor of the PRM presidential campaign (2019–2020)

Public Management and Youth Pioneer

One of Francisco Peña Guaba's most significant achievements was being the promoter of the General Youth Law 49-00, which gave rise to the Ministry of Youth in the Dominican Republic. As a result of this legislation, he was appointed as the first Minister of Youth of the country by then-president Hipólito Mejía, a role he held between 2000 and 2002.

Previously, at the National District City Hall, he held the following positions:

• Director of Tourism (1994–1996)
• Director of Culture (1996–1998)
• General Advisor to the Mayor (1998–2000)

From those positions, Tony Peña Guaba promoted community programs, cultural initiatives, and tourism promotion strategies in the capital city.

International projection

On the international stage, Tony Peña Guaba has represented the country in various forums and multilateral meetings. He was:

• President of the American Youth Committee of the Socialist International (IUSY) (1999–2000)
• President of the Caribbean and Mexico Committee of the Ibero-American Youth Organization (2001–2002)
• Active participant in congresses and meetings of the Socialist International, promoting youth rights and democratic development.

Distinctions and current work

Throughout his career, Tony Peña has been recognized for his political and social work with proclamations and recognitions in countries such as United States (New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania), Spain and Italy.

Currently, in addition to coordinating the Social Policy Cabinet, he/she serves as:

• Vice President of the José Francisco Peña Gómez Foundation
• Director of International Relations of the José Francisco Peña Gómez Institute

From these platforms, she preserves and promotes her father's ideological and ethical legacy, actively contributing to the political formation of new generations.

Personal Life

Technical Sheet: Francisco Antonio Peña Guaba

• Full name: Francisco Antonio Peña Guaba
• Political name: Tony Peña Guaba
• Date of birth: August 21, 1967
• Place of birth: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
• Nationality: Dominican
• Profession: Political scientist and public official
• Education:
  • Los Benjamines School, Santo Domingo
  • Jaime Vera School of the PSOE, Spain (Political Science)

Featured Charges

• Coordinator of the Social Policy Cabinet of the Presidency (2020–present)
• Prime Minister of Youth of the Dominican Republic (2000–2002)
• Director of Culture of the Ayuntamiento del Distrito Nacional (1996–1998)
• Director of Tourism of the Ayuntamiento del Distrito Nacional (1994–1996)
• General Advisor to the Mayor of the Distrito Nacional (1998–2000)

Political Career

• President of the Youth External Sector of the PRD (1988–1990)
• National President of the Dominican Revolutionary Youth (JRD)
• Member of the National Executive Committee and the Political Commission of the PRD (1992–2017)
• Secretary General of the PRD (2015–2019)
• National Campaign Supervisor of the PRM (2019–2020)
• Coordinator of youth campaigns of the PRD (1993–2004)

International Participation

• President of the American Youth Committee of the Socialist International (1999–2000)
• President of the Caribbean and Mexico Committee of the Ibero-American Youth Organization (2001–2002)
• Delegate to multiple congresses and meetings of the Socialist International

Acknowledgements

• Proclamations and recognitions in:
  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Spain
  • Italy

Personal Life

• Parents: José Francisco Peña Gómez and Julia Idalia Guaba Martínez
• Wife: Lic. Ceila Encarnación Minyetti
• Children: Sheily Marie, José Francisco and Francisco Antonio Peña Encarnación

Current Charges

• Coordinator of the Social Policy Cabinet
• Vice President of the José Francisco Peña Gómez Foundation
• Director of International Relations of the José Francisco Peña Gómez Institute