"A GREAT OPPORTUNITY: CONSTRUCTION OF A DEMOCRACY ON THE RUINS OF TYRANNY"

JFK REACTS TO GOOD NEWS FROM DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
  
Palm Beach (JFK+50) On December 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy issued a statement on the situation in the Dominican Republic.  The statement read...

"I want to make special note of the most encouraging developments in the Dominican Republic.  The solution to the political difficulties in that country...was announced by President Balaguer*...and has now been accepted by the...democratic opposition. "

The statement explained that the solution was the creation of a council of state.
The President described this solution as remarkable considering the fact that the country had just emerged from three decades under a"harshly repressive regime."

The statement concluded with these words...

"The Dominican people...confront a great...opportunity:  the construction of a democratic society on the ruins of tyranny."

*Joaquin Antonio Balaguer Ricardo (1906-2002) was President of the Dominican Republic 1960-1962, 1966-1978 & 1986-1996. 

SOURCE

"Statement by the President on the Situation in the Dominican Republic," December 20, 1961.   Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, January 20 to December 31, 1961, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1962.

Santo Domingo National Palace

Photo by Jean-Marc Astesana (2014)

CRUELEST DICTATOR IN THE AMERICAS

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1965

RAFAEL TRUJILLO ASSASSINATED 55 YEARS AGO TODAY

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (JFK+50) Rafael Trujillo*, known as "El Jefe" or "The Chief," was shot dead fifty-five years ago today, May 30, 1961, on Avenida George Washington here in Santo Domingo.

Seven men lay in wait along the highway where Trujillo's chauffeur-driven Chevrolet was traveling.  After the Chevy was cut-off, an open gun battle ended with Trujillo's remains "sprawled...across the" road.

According to BBC News, Trujillo, who had ruled Santo Domingo since 1930, was described as "the cruelest dictator in the Americas."  

The BBC states...

"Those who dared to oppose him were imprisoned, tortured and murdered."

His rule was so brutal CIA station chief, Henry Dearborn, wrote to the U.S. State Department in October 1960...

"If I were a Dominican...I would favor destroying Trujillo as being the first necessary step in the salvation of my country."

With the dictator's demise, however, President John F. Kennedy was concerned that the the Domincan Republic would be open to another Fidel Castro to take power.

*Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina (1891-1961) was born in San Cristobal.  When the US occupied his country in 1916, RLTM joined the National Guard & trained with US Marines.  He was Commander-in-Chief of the National Army of the Domincan Republic by 1927.

SOURCE

"I shot the cruelest dictator in the Americas," BBC News, www.bbc.com/

Stamp of the Dominican Republic (1933)

Dominican Republic Government