Rafael Trujillo

Out of interest, I went looking on the net to find out more about the Trujillo regime. I found this article written by a high school student(? or teacher? Cannot tell by the signature at the end). I know that Trujillo was atrocious, and it was a horrific time in the DR. Can anyone validate that this whole article is true? See link below.

I found another article about Trujillo on MSN that almost makes him sound like a great guy. Here is the address:
http://encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?ti=00F08000

Anyone else know where to find info?
Thanks,
Trina

Although Trujillo was a dictator and, as all dictators, controlled a great deal of the economy and wealth in the Dominican Republic and exerted fear among his people to maintain his power, he is no worse than present day governments in terms of human rights violations, corruption and criminality.

In essence, today's democracy in the Dominican Republic is a misnomer. Although people can freely talk and express their opinions more freely, they fear just as much being assassinated or killed by government agents, if their opinions carry some weight among the population. During Balaguer's government two of the most influential newspaper reporters were brutally killed and in his 12 years in power hundreds of Dominicans dissapeared for political and other reasons.

During Leonel Fernandez' government (1996-2000) and the present government of Hipolito Mejia human rights violations and assassinations continue on a daily basis. More than 400 Dominicans have been killed by the Police and paramilitary groups disguised as "Tigueres". Worse yet,the police and military forces are highly corrupted and commit much of the reported and unreported crime. Policemen are known for committing many hold-ups, robberies, house breaks and auto thefts.

Trujillo amassed great wealth, but most of his wealth remained in the Dominican Republic in the form of great infrastuctural works. He left the most powerful sugar industry in America(today totally destroyed by corruption). Likewise, the Dominican Republic exported great amounts of coffee, cocoa, bananas, iron, gold and many other riches which have today dissapeared under the corrupted hands of our newly "democraticly" elected governments. Today this nation shamessly imports sugar!

Billions of dollars have dissapeared at the hands of polititians in the last 40 years after Trujillo's death making Trujillo's take a drop in the bucket compared to these highly sophisticated thieves who govern our nation today.

What is amazing is that after 40 years of his death, the most important infrastructures in this nation are still Trujillo's works.While Trujillo built major highways with airport runway quality(Concrete base), todays' governments built with cheap blacktop and pocket over 40% of the cost. Trujillo's highways, major momuments, bridges, industries and developed lands stand today as the most important legacies left to this nation.Our forests were among the greenest in America and water could be drank straight from rivers. Today our rivers are mostly dead from pollution, garbage and lack of planning and our mountains are losing their green top.

Crime, theft, drugs, money laundering,diseases and other social problems created by modern governments were non-existent during Trujillo's Era. In fact, houses had few if any iron bars and gates and most Dominicans could sleep with their windows open at night.

When all is said and done and people realize what modern governments are doing to this country they will begin to realize Trujillo's legacy.

You might check out a book I read several years ago; "The life and times of a Caribbean dictator: Rafael Trujillo". 450 pages of information. I am sure Carlos' previous post will be a controversial opinion for non- dominicans, but I tend to agree. Many Dominicans hated him, but millions loved him, especially the people from the campo. To this day, you can hear them reminice about the good old days, when Trujillo was in power. No crime whatsoever in the entire country, better standard of living, zero drugs, ect.ect.

The start of what could be a very seminal thread. The foregoing can provide some very meaningful historical discussion. I look forward to following the development of this one. It could help provide a fascinating perspective on economic and political development over the last 60+ years. Hopefully any such discussion will stay on target.

If we didn't have Trujillo, we would be like Haiti today ! In fact, what Haiti needs right now, is some guy like Trujillo in power, with a drastic politic. Limit the overpopulation, like in China, reforest massively, and abolish democracy for a while !

How interesting you offer a drastic solution for other countries while you are unable to solve your own political problems

Some of you have very short memories of what Trujillo's reign was like. I only base my statements on historical writings which are often more valid than the melancholoy memories of the dissatisfied people concerning the present govt.

How many people "dissappeared" during Trujillo's reign?

And how interesting to try to offer solution for other countries (DR), when you don't even live there !!!
When was your last stay in Haiti ? By the way ?

Squat

As I mentioned in an earlier post, if you wish to discuss this well worn issue any further email me

Tom

Haiti 99

i think the key word here is FREEDOM, which is something they have plenty of now,and they had none of when trujillo was dictater,you would have to be a fool to think they were better off then......jim