Jorge Mera died in his own office at the hands of a childhood friend
The Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic, Orlando Jorge Mera, was shot dead on Monday morning in his office at the Ministry, according to the Dominican government. The alleged author of the shots is Miguel Cruz, a personal friend of the minister. “The person responsible is in the custody of the National Police and the Public Ministry,” the government said. “The motives for the incident are under investigation,” he added.
Ministry sources quoted by the newspaper ‘Acento’ reported that a total of six shots were heard in the office and that the attacker, who entered the room alone, escaped after firing the shots.
“From the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources we are dismayed by the situation presented this Monday morning. So far we do not have details of the situation that occurred at the Ministry’s facilities,” the Ministry posted on its Twitter account.
Dominican President Luis Abinader lamented the death of his “good friend” Orlando Jorge Mera. «My most sincere condolences to his wife Patricia and his children Orlando and Patricia Victoria. Rest in peace, dear friend,” Abinader wrote on Twitter.
From the Ministry directed by Jorge Mera, a note was issued expressing the pain of the staff. «We have lost a sensitive citizen and committed public servant; as well as an exemplary father, son and brother », he indicated. See you always, Don Orlando! Rest in peace,” he added.
The Dominican press speculates that Fausto Miguel de Jesús Cruz de la Mota shot the minister after an intense argument, possibly over a debt. Cruz owns an arms store and is the son of an Air Force general during the mandate of Salvador Jorge Blanco, Orlando’s father.
After the arrest, the minister’s family has confirmed that Jorge and Cruz were childhood friends and has assured that they forgive the murderer. “Our family forgives the perpetrator. One of the greatest legacies of our Orlando was not to hold a grudge », he has indicated, while expressing his desire « that the facts be clarified and justice be done ».
Orlando Jorge Mera was appointed Minister of the Environment in August 2020 by President Luis Abinader. After his appointment, he said that his mission was to work for proper environmental management and for compliance with the Constitution and laws, attached to transparency and public ethics.
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