Dominican minister killed in office by close friend
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Employees at the ministry reported hearing at least seven shots fired from the office.
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Late Dominican minister of the environment and natural resources Orlando Jorge Mera
The Dominican minister of the environment and natural resources, Orlando Jorge Mera, was shot and killed in his office by his close friend whom he knew since childhood, Miguel Cruz.
Employees at the ministry reported hearing at least seven shots fired from the office. The building, which also houses the Ministry of Tourism, has been sealed off by police. Cruz was allegedly apprehended at a nearby church. The murder's motive has yet to be known.
Dominican President Luis Abinader's office first broke the news, before the latter expressed his condolences to Jorge's family on Twitter, writing, "I deeply regret the death of my good friend, our minister, Orlando Jorge Mera."
A statement was also issued by the victim's family. "Our family forgives the perpetrator," it said, adding that "one of Orlando's greatest legacies was not to hold grudges."
Many other Dominican officials, including former President Leonel Fernandez, expressed their condolences on social media, calling him a "great human being, public man, and committed server."
Jorge's wife's sister, Vice President Raquel Pena, recalled him as a "tireless worker and noble human being."
The Dominican Republic's environment minister, Orlando Jorge Mera, was shot dead in his office on Monday, authorities said. https://t.co/TkiMk8JrhO
— Reuters Science News (@ReutersScience) June 7, 2022
Who is Orlando Jorge Mera?
Jorge came from a prominent political family on the island. He was a member of the Modern Revolutionary Party from its inception. He was appointed to his ministerial position in August 2020 as an attorney.
His father, Salvador Jorge Blanco, was the Dominican Republic's president from 1982 to 1986, and his sister, Dilia Leticia, is a vice minister in Abinader's administration.
Jorge's son also belongs to the Modern Revolutionary Party. It is also worth noting that Patricia Selma Villegas Garcia, the slain minister's wife, is the Dominican Republic's ambassador to Brazil.
