The National Police has adopted the “exchanges of fire” as its main method of confronting alleged criminals in the Dominican Republic, a heavy-handed strategy that has generated both support and concern among various sectors of society.
From the January 1 to November 19, 2024, at least 98 people have been killed in different locations in the country. According to the institution, through its official channels, the majority of the deceased were alleged criminals with an extensive criminal record.
Most of these victims are between 18 and 25 years old, and only a few are over 30 years old.
So far this year, the country has had 14 more deaths than those registered during the entire year of 2023, which totaled 84.
Regarding these police tactics, some human rights organizations have warned about the need for greater transparency in the investigations of these clashes and have called to evaluate whether there are safer and more effective alternatives to control crime without endangering the lives of citizens and agents.
Furthermore, in other cases, relatives of the victims and members of civil society demand clear explanations and justice, arguing that some of those killed could have been deprived of due process.
So far in the month of November, in a total of 20 days, law enforcement agents have killed seven alleged criminals.
The despondents of November: they killed him at “his point”
Yesterday morning, the National Police reported that its agents shot down José Lorenzo Montás, 37, whom they identified as a “dangerous criminal” who operated in the municipality of Los Cacaos, San Cristóbal province.
According to the police report, Lorenzo Montás was dedicated to the sale of controlled substances and was killed at the point of sale when, supposedly, the agents were trying to arrest him. During the operation, three people were arrested and drugs were seized, arms and other belongings.
In addition, the authorities stated that they are pursuing a man identified as “Sofoque” and other members of the alleged criminal group.
He tried to assault a first lieutenant of the PN
Last Friday, November 15, Jeremi Romero Díaz, 22, died after allegedly trying, along with two other individuals, to assault a first lieutenant of the National Police in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of the Herrera sector, in Santo Domingo Oeste.
The incident occurred on Álvarez Guzmán Street in the Los Coroneles sector, when the officer, whose identity is being kept confidential, was traveling on a motorcycle. Romero Díaz and his companions intercepted him with the intention of stripping him of his belongings, but the officer thwarted the assault by repelling the attack.
An illegible brand pistol with a magazine and a capsule, which he was carrying illegally, was seized from the deceased. Three cell phones were also confiscated.
“Red Devil”
On Thursday, November 14, Jordany Sosa, alias “Diablo Rojo”, was shot dead. Sosa was attributed with the death of the 14-year-old teenager, Karla Maribel Concepción Campusano, in the Los Guandules sector, in the National District, as well as several robberies and other crimes.
The alleged exchange of shots occurred in Río San Juan, in the María Trinidad Sánchez province, when the agents were trying to arrest him.
In addition, the police report detailed that they occupied two arms fire, one of them with a magazine of 30 capsules, 11 of which “he shot at the acting agents.”
“Carnival”
The police also killed José Miguel López, alias “Carnaval”, 23 years old, who was accused of participating in the assault on the Argenis Oro jewelry store, located in the San Luis community, Santo Domingo Este.
The institution’s report establishes that José Miguel was wanted for several crimes, including murders, robberies, among others.
The preliminary report indicates that “Carnaval” had in his possession a Browning pistol, caliber 9 millimeters, with serial No. 41653, which he was carrying illegally and with which “he attacked the agents, who repelled the attack, causing his injuries.” that were fatal.”
He stole engines and sold them in Haiti
Darling Emmanuel Trinidad, 21 years old, was shot to death by National Police officers on November 10. At his young age, he was wanted for at least 12 arrest warrants for armed robberies, among other crimes.
The alleged confrontation occurred on José Reyes Street, in the La Bombita sector. He was taken to Taiwan Hospital, where he died shortly after.
The National Police alleged in their report that the young man led a gang that stole motors in Santo Domingo Oeste, and then sold them to Haiti.
He had killed his brother
On November 4, the agents shot down Brayan Diazwho was linked to the death of his brother during a party in the Boca de Mao municipality, in Valverde.
In addition to this incident, the National Police had asked Díaz to turn himself in due to his involvement in several crimes.
Father assures “they executed him”
On November 1, agents of the National Police killed a 29-year-old young man in the El Tanque sector, in the Pedro Brand municipality, Santo Domingo province.
The deceased was identified as Welcome Rodríguez, nicknamed Raulín, who was wanted by the police authorities after allegedly shooting Mr. José Joaquín de la Cruz (Moreno Cupa) to death on September 1.
Month after month, Free Diary comprehensively tracks deaths at the hands of law enforcement officers in the country. In the special “Lethal Patrol” all these cases are compiled, including those registered between January and October.
