The Environment Minister of the Dominican Republic, Orlando Jorge Mera, was assassinated this Mondayat the hands of a childhood friendwho shot him several times in his office at the ministry’s headquarters.
The self-confessed author, Miguel Cruzfled following the shooting and took refuge in a church, where hours later he turned himself in to the National Police, in the presence of members of the Public Ministry.
Upon arriving at the temple, he handed the gun to a priest to whom he explained that he had committed a crime, although without identifying the victim, the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) reported in a statement.
Jorge Mera, 55 years old and son of former President Salvador Jorge Blanco (1982-1986), he was a personal friend and co-religionist of the current Dominican president, Luis Abinader, who expressed his “deepest condolences” to the minister’s family.
Official statement from the Dominican Government on the death of Orlando Jorge Mera (@OrlandoJM), Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (@AmbienteRD). pic.twitter.com/hPrvwfqknE
— Presidency of the Dominican Republic (@PresidenciaRD) June 6, 2022
The Police have not yet offered official information regarding the homicide nor have they explained what the motive for the crime would be.
SEVEN SHOTS
A politician who was in the lobby of Jorge Mera’s office, waiting to be received by the minister, reported that a man entered the office alone by Jorge Mera and then they heard seven shots.
“Shots were heard in the minister’s office and everyone started running. chaotic situation lived in the Ministry of the Environment,” said Juan de Dios Liberata, councilor for the municipality of Sabaneta.
According to Liberata, “later, following all the people go out to the ministry’s green area, several more shots are heard inside the ministry.”
Jorge Mera was the only victim in the shooting and no hostage-taking was reported, although the Police sent a team of anti-kidnapping agents to the scene, in addition to members of the elite Police SWAT unit.
Presenting himself at the minister’s office, Cruz was “nervous,” Genaro Herrera, who identified himself as a mutual friend of the minister and his alleged assassin, told reporters.
“Truly, Miguel has surprised one with that. I know that he had an open heart operation and that caused him to be depressed, but we never thought that this would happen (…) He arrived nervous and all that,” Herrera stated.
ESCAPE AND SURRENDER
After the murder, Cruz fled the ministry and took refuge in the parish Jesus Christ High and Eternal Priestlocated in the Renacimiento sector, regarding 2.4 kilometers from the place of the murder.
The General Director of Persecution of the Public Ministry, Deputy Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso, appeared at the scene leading a team of prosecutors and from there she contacted Cruz by telephone, who told her that she would turn herself in if the Public Ministry guaranteed life, says the note from the PGR.
Hours later he left the church in handcuffs, escorted by policemen, in the midst of a large security apparatus set up around the temple, while several people shouted “murderer!”.
The authorities at the moment have not explained how the alleged murderer was able to flee from the ministry nor have they given information regarding the circumstances in which he turned himself in to the authorities.
NATIONAL CONSTERNATION
The murder caused a great consternation throughout the Dominican Republic and, especially, in the political class of the country.
The family of Orlando Jorge Mera affirmed in a statement that they forgive the author of the murder, whom they identified as “a childhood friend” of the minister.
“Our family forgives the perpetrator. One of the greatest legacies of our Orlando was not to hold a grudge.“, stated the statement.
President @LuisAbinader issued decree 298-22 declaring official mourning on June 7, 8 and 9 of this year, for the death of Orlando Jorge Mera.https://t.co/0hv6DiSD9h#CommunicationsDO
– CommunicationsRD (@Comunicaciondo) June 6, 2022
President Abinader, very close to Jorge Mera, stated in a statement that he personally and the Government “are available to the family for whatever they may need” and decreed three days of official mourning, starting this Tuesdaydue to the death of the minister, informed the Presidency.
Orlando Jorge Mera, 55, has been in office since the beginning of the Abinader government, in August 2020.
Law graduate and leader of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), Jorge Mera was married to the Dominican ambassador to Brazil, Patricia Villegas, and leaves behind two children, Patricia Victoria and deputy Orlando Jorge.
