Abinader and US Southern Commander meet in Santo Domingo
Dominican President Luis Abinader and Defense Minister Carlos Luciano Díaz Morfa, and other authorities, met with the United States Southern Commander, General Laura Jane Richardson, at the graduation of cadets from the Batalla de las Carreras Military Academy in the Dominican Republic.
The four-star general used translation equipment and was at the main table, from where she witnessed the protocol ceremony of the Sixty-first Ordinary Graduation of the Batalla de las Carreras Military Academy, in which President Abinader swore in the 35 junior officers, graduates in Military Sciences and who come out with the rank of second lieutenant.
At the end of the event, Abinader and Richardson entered the Academy separately with their teams, where they remained for more than 40 minutes. The meeting was without the press and the issues discussed have not yet been disclosed.
Around 6:35PM, they went out again and sat in their respective chairs to watch part of a concert offered by the Army band. They enjoyed several pieces and left before 7:00 at night.
This afternoon, the spokesman for the Presidency, Homero Figueroa, reported that at the meeting Abinader and Richardson would discuss the donations made to the country such as military vehicles, ships and mobile hospitals; as well as gender integration, women leaders, as well as peace and security in the region.
In addition to J. Richardson, the Brigadier General of the Puerto Rico National Guard, José Reyes, and personnel from the United States Embassy in the country were also at the graduation.
Officers graduation
In the ceremony held in San Isidro, Santo Domingo Este, the head of state handed over the military swords to the graduates, who swore before the ruler and those present to defend the Homeland.
The Army reported that the new officers are prepared to defend sovereignty, integrity, and independence, through the exercise of command and capabilities to lead platoon-sized units.
Colonel Jhojany Suriel Otáñez, director of the Academy, told the graduates: “Take advantage of your time defending your life purposes in accordance with your priorities, both in the military and personally, since this defines the reason for our existence and gives meaning to what we do.”
The activity was also attended by the President of the Senate, Eduardo Estrella; the ministers of Health, Daniel Rivera and Higher Education, Franklin García Fermín; the ambassador of Guatemala, Javier Zepeda, and other personalities.