Leonel Fernández: A Life in Dominican Politics
Early Life and Education
- Born: December 26, 1953, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- Son of José Antonio Fernández Collado and Yolanda Reyna Romero
- Emigrated to the United States in 1962, living in New York City
- Graduated with honors in law from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo in 1978
- Worked as a teacher, journalist, and lawyer before entering politics
Political Career
- Joined the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) in 1973
- Elected to Congress in 1986 and 1990
- Served as President of the Dominican Republic for three terms:
- 1996-2000
- 2004-2008
- 2008-2012
- Founded the People’s Force party in 2019 and ran for president in 2020, but lost
Key Achievements
- Economic growth: During his presidencies, the Dominican Republic experienced significant economic growth, with an average annual GDP growth rate of 8%.
- Social programs: Increased investment in education and healthcare, leading to improvements in literacy rates and life expectancy.
- Infrastructure development: Built roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects, modernizing the country’s transportation system.
- International relations: Improved the Dominican Republic’s image abroad and strengthened ties with other countries.
Controversies
- Accused of corruption by some, although he has never been convicted of any wrongdoing.
- His decision to run for a third term in 2008 was seen by some as a violation of the spirit of the constitution.
- His close relationship with Venezuela’s former president, Hugo Chávez, was criticized by some Dominicans.
Legacy
- Leonel Fernández is a towering figure in Dominican politics and is considered one of the country’s most successful presidents.
- His supporters credit him with transforming the Dominican Republic into a more prosperous and stable democracy.
- His critics argue that his legacy is tarnished by corruption and authoritarianism.
Additional Information
- Leonel Fernández is a prolific writer and has published several books on politics, history, and philosophy.
- He is also a musician and has released several albums of salsa music.
- He is currently the president of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (FUNGLODE).