Last January, President Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina, the Dominican Republic’s ruthless dictator for seven years, announced that he was retiring from “private life” and would not run for re-election. The fact that the dictator Trujillo would not cease to be a dictator in “Private Life” became apparent, however, when he appointed his unwavering companion, Dr. Jacinto B. Peynado, as his successor. The neon sign glowing on the front of Peynado’s space obviously shows where Chief Trujillo stands before the eyes of his partner. It says: GOD AND TRUJILLO. President-elect Peynado declared, “It will remain there as long as I live. “
Last week, 345,174 male members of the Dominican Party – the legal party in the Dominican Republic – went to the polls. Women were allowed to vote “symbolically” because of their trust. Men voted 92% for Peynado.