THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Suspect arrested after Dominican Republic's environment minister shot dead

Suspect arrested after Dominican Republic's environment minister shot dead

A suspect reportedly linked to the murder of the Dominican Republic's environment minister, Orlando Jorge Mera, was taken into police custody on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Mera was shot dead in his office on Monday, authorities reported.

A spokesman for the president's office, Homero Figueroa, reported that a suspect identified as Miguel Cruz, was arrested.

Figueroa said Cruz was a childhood friend of the minister, without giving a potential motive for the attack.

Employees at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources told journalists that they heard at least seven shots from within the building. Police units arrived on the scene shortly after.

Mera, a 55-year-old lawyer, was the son of former President Salvador Jorge Blanco, who was in office from 2002 to 2006.

 

Suspect arrested after Dominican Republic\'s environment minister shot dead

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Selma Villegas, and his two children. His son, Orlando Jorge Villegas, is a federal legislator and member of the Modern Revolutionary Party.

The president and the government have made themselves available to the minister's family, Figueroa said.

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