Brothers and Sisters -

The Dominican Republic's presidential election occurs tomorrow. As in America, presidential elections are held every four years. In contrast to America, there is little neutrality, complacency, or cynicism toward politics. It seems that everyone supports his favored candidate with a degree of fanaticism. The "disco lights" mentioned in the article below pass my house here several times a day, laden with generators and amplifiers, blasting baracha music and political slogans. Helicopters emblazoned with the different candidates' logos have flown over my rooftop. Even in the tiny, remote villages south of Monte Crisit, some houses display eight-foot banners, plastered with the faces and slogans of the three candidates. I received e-mails yesterday and today from the U. S. consulate and Santo Domingo warning me to stay away from political demonstrations, and now I guess I know why. Following is a transcript from Dominican Today, the D.R.'s English-language news source. This incident occurred in a small town about 25 kilometers from where I live in Monte Cristi.

VILLA VASQUEZ.- The country’s electoral campaign concluded with violence in the Northwest, when members of the ruling PLD and opposition PRD parties in a shootout in this municipality, leaving three dead, among them former deputy Antonio Fernandez, 50, and several wounded.
The other two deceased are Carlos Polanco, 43, of the PLD and Isidro Polanco Tavárez, 47, of the PRD.

The shootings took place at 9:45 p.m. when two vehicles called “disco lights” promoting the two opposing presidential candidates came across each other in the street and an argument ensued.
Fernandez, who had recently left the PRD to formally join the PLD, had just left one of his businesses in the area, together with Polanco, who according to newspaper El Caribe, was one of his bodyguards.

The bodies were taken to a morgue in Villa Vásquez.

Please pray for peace in the Dominican Republic. Pray for the churches of Villa Vasquez to respond appropriately to this tragedy, and pray for God to renew within all of us the conviction to work for peace in the world.

Your Friend to the Bitter End,

-zfa