Dominican Republic Cabinet Minister Killed In Office By Close Friend

Dominican Secretary for Commerce and Trade Sonia Guzman, proper, talks to the media accompanied by Orlando Jorge Mera, on the presidential palace in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, March 16, 2004. Mera, the Dominican Republic's minister of the setting and pure sources, was shot and killed in his workplace on Monday, June 6, 2022, in line with officers. (AP Picture/Walter Astrada, File)

Walter Astrada through AP

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The Dominican Republic’s minister of the setting and pure sources was shot and killed in his workplace on Monday by an in depth good friend, the workplace of the president mentioned in an announcement.

Authorities mentioned Orlando Jorge Mera was shot by Miguel Cruz, who has been detained. No additional particulars have been instantly out there, and it wasn’t instantly clear if Cruz had an lawyer.

“We specific our deepest condolences,” the workplace of President Luis Abinader mentioned.

Police and emergency officers swarmed the workplace of Atmosphere and Pure Sources Minisatry within the capital of Santo Domingo and barred entry to it as mourners gathered close by. Mera’s workplace is positioned on the fourth ground of a constructing that additionally homes the Ministry of Tourism.

“We're troubled by the scenario,” Mera’s ministry mentioned in a quick assertion.

Bartolomé Pujals, government director of the federal government’s Cupboard of Innovation, wrote that he lamented the killing.

“His loss of life is a tragedy,” he mentioned. “We Dominicans have to come back collectively to realize a pact for peace and peaceable coexistence. No extra violence.”

Mera additionally was an lawyer and a founding member of the Trendy Revolutionary Social gathering. He was appointed minister of the setting and pure sources in August 2020.