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PUNTA CANA. The district director of Verón-Punta Cana, Ramón Ramírez, has expressed his concern regarding the recent decision of the Board of Vocals of La Otra Banda to add the name “Punta Cana” to an area of his demarcation.
The controversy over this issue began after, through resolution 05 of August 20 of this year, the Board of Vocals of the Otra Banda approved naming the area between Vallegina and the Autovía del Coral toll, up to the limits with the Verón-Punta Cana Municipal Tourist District, “La Otra Banda Punta Cana.”
This resolution was voted unanimously by the Board of Directors in the ordinary session 10-2024. This request was made to the Board of Directors on August 2 of this year, by Alexander Rodríguez himself, and was seconded by the members Felicia Martínez Rodríguez, Wanda Margarita Nova Martínez, Rubén Darío Martínez Martínez and Isamar Martínez Sánchez.
According to Ramirez, this action could have negative repercussions for investment in the area, as many investors could become confused and believe they are in the tourist area of Punta Cana or Bávaro, which could lead to significant financial losses.
“Many investors may be mistaken in thinking that they are in Punta Cana or Bávaro, making investments and then losing money. Furthermore, at a global level, since Punta Cana projects are constantly being sold, this could be interpreted as a scam for these investors,” warned Ramírez.
He also pointed out that, rather than helping local development, the misuse of the name “Punta Cana” could harm the country’s reputation: “Giving the name Punta Cana to an area that does not really belong to this tourist destination could harm the country. Before touching a brand like this, we must be very, very careful.”
In his opinion, La Otra Banda could choose alternative names that reflect the identity of the place without resorting to the global Punta Cana brand. “He (Alexander Rodríguez) can give other names to that sector, and there are many that are nice, but that are linked to that sector, that do not necessarily carry the name of Punta Cana,” suggested the municipal official of Verón Punta Cana.
Ramírez understands the intentions of the director of La Otra Banda to develop the area as a tourist destination, but insists that this must be done in a transparent manner, to avoid being interpreted as a deception.
Karina Aristy, mayor of Higüey, also questioned the measure, insisting that the delimitation of La Otra Banda is clearly established in the law and that any modification requires a more rigorous legal process.
Aristy cited Law 39-87, through which La Otra Banda was elevated from a section to the category of municipal district, which in its first article establishes the precise delimitation of that territory and its associated sections.
“It is good to seek advice and information,” the mayor said through her X account @KarinaAristy, making it clear that legal documentation is essential in this type of dispute.
MORE FUEL TO THE FIRE
What lit the fuse of this conflict was the installation of a sign on the Coral Highway that reads “Welcome to La Otra Banda Punta Cana,” right near which the district director of this place took a smiling and pleased photo of his masterpiece.
This has been interpreted as an attempt by La Otra Banda to redefine the territorial boundaries and authority over certain areas of Verón-Punta Cana that, according to Rodríguez, for historical reasons belong to La Otra Banda.
Rodríguez has been very defensive of his claim that almost all of Verón is land of La Otra Banda. He claims that his intention is to recover spaces that have been under the control of the Verón-Punta Cana Municipal Board, and that should be managed by his district.
'THE PULL AND THROW'
The senator from La Altagracia, Rafael Barón Duluc (Cholitín), was one of the first to oppose what was approved in La Otra Banda. In his best style, Barón Duluc categorically rejected the decision promoted by Alexander Rodríguez.
“The director of the Municipal District of La Otra Banda must know that the name changes and boundaries of the municipal districts and municipalities are the responsibility of the National Congress and not of the members,” wrote Barón Duluc on his X account @CholitinDuluc.
Rodríguez immediately responded to Barón Duluc also on his X account @Elhijodelpueb12, stating that the name of the district has not been changed, but rather an area was named for its tourist characteristics: “We have not changed the name of the district; what was done was the naming of an area for its tourist characteristics and location. We seek to strengthen investments in our territory and organize it,” said Rodríguez.
A litigator after all, Barón Duluc did not take long to respond. “We urge the distinguished members and the director of the Municipal District of La Otra Banda to seek advice regarding their jurisdiction. This municipal district was created by law and only a law can modify its name, boundaries or anything else related to it,” insists Barón Duluc.
To reinforce his firm stance against the name change of La Otra Banda, the senator from Altagracia relies on what the Constitution establishes in its article 93, specifically in section d).
This constitutional section indicates that among the powers of the National Congress is the power to “create, modify or suppress regions, provinces, municipalities, municipal districts, sections and places, and determine everything concerning their limits and organization, by the procedure regulated in this Constitution and after a study that demonstrates the political, social and economic convenience justifying the modification.”
OPINIONS OF THE COUNCILORS
This move has generated criticism not only from the National Congress in the person of Barón Duluc, but also from the Municipal Council of Verón-Punta Cana.
Uridy Marte, councilor of the municipal district of Verón-Punta Cana, warned about the illegality of this measure, explaining that no resolution can modify Law 39-87, which clearly delimited the territories of La Otra Banda.
“It would be appropriate, dear friend, for you to seek further legal advice, since no resolution can modify Law 39-87 of April 29, 1987,” Marte said, suggesting that Director Rodriguez should be more careful when using the name Punta Cana.
Dionisio López, a member of the Fuerza del Pueblo party, went even further in his rejection of the initiative of La Otra Banda and went to where the sign of discord lies.
And after asking, “Who told the district director of La Otra Banda that he can use the name Punta Cana wherever he wants?”, López climbed a small ladder, took up his position, and painted the part of the welcome sign that says Punta Cana black.
In a more conciliatory tone, but in the same opposition line, councilor Marcelle Flores also expressed her discontent. “It seems that the esteemed director of La Otra Banda forgets that the change of names and boundaries is the responsibility of the National Congress and not of the members of a municipal district. Consistency for God's sake!” wrote Flores on her social networks.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Adding the name Punta Cana to a section of La Otra Banda and then placing a welcome sign on the Autovía del Coral is just one chapter of the controversy generated by the claim made by director Alexander Rodríguez to a large part of the town of Verón, which in his opinion belongs to the district he represents.
To understand the magnitude of this controversy, it is essential to go back in time. La Otra Banda, which was initially a simple rural section, obtained the status of municipal district in 1987, thanks to Law 39-87, which established its boundaries and the integrity of its territories.
But La Otra Banda's proximity to the thriving tourist destination of Punta Cana has generated tensions over the years. As tourism grew rapidly in Verón-Punta Cana, political and economic ambitions gave rise to territorial disputes that still resonate.
Rodríguez defends his claims about Verón, arguing that sectors such as El Guateque, Las Dos Jardas and Cristinita should be aligned with La Otra Banda. This has divided the population, some of whom support Rodríguez's idea to recover what they consider a historical right.