civil unrest in DR?.

I am a manager of a sports team which is due to compete in DR around July 1st. I do not intend to take responsibility for these kids(their parents are not travelling with them) if there is any hint of unrest!!! According to 2 local newspapers here -this could be a possibiltiy. Please enlighten me with HONESTY, I really would appreciate this. 'Thanx' Sam (Barbados, W.I.)

Civil unrest is like everywhere you go. It depends on your destination, date and events going on. All the unrest that has gone on in this country in the last five years has been limited to ghetto areas of Santo Domingo and a few small towns(always the same ones).

These events have never interrupted any sports event or affected the majority of the city of Santo Domingo. In fact, to 95% of the people in Santo Domingo, they would not know there is a riot or civil unrest unless they read it in the papers or see it in the news.

Likewise, the tourist areas are hardly ever affected.Last year, I believe, there was a blockade by strikers in Nagua and Samana to prevent tourists from arriving to the zone. It was successful for a couple of days, but died out, and nevertheless, tourists got to their well protected enclosed resorts, which are not accessible in any way to strikers and rioters.

Smaller towns are a different story. If you hear that something is going on in a small town, stay away from it. You definitely will notice it. For intance, there are potential hazards in areas like Villa Altagracia, Bonao,Navarrete, Licey al Medio,San Cristobal,Azua and other smaller towns like these, but hardly any tourists venture into these areas anyway.

Maddmama, The first part of Tourist Watcher advice is right on but the last part is a little unclear to me. I would not worry about a national or local strike putting your athletes in any danger. If there is a successful national strike, than the airport in the capital will shut down and it doesn't happen very often (maybe someone can tell us if it has been once or twice in the last 10 years). When Leonel was President the PRD people were able to do this once. I doubt whether there is enough popular support to do the same now. If things don't improve, I could see it happening in the 2nd or 3rd year of his administation. These are well organized, announced and people who live there will let you know when you have to stay in your hotel for a day or two. For example a strike is called for next Tuesday and Wednesday. Not sure the reason, probably the drivers (taxis, carro publicos, freight, busses) complaining about the cost of petrol and electricity. The actions of the police, and inaction of the justice system along with recent tax increases it is time to let the government know the people aren't happy. This is how people express their political will here when things seem to get out of trouble. Sometimes there is a consensus amongst the doctors and nurses of the public sector, the teachers, the drivers and other groups to where everyone actually stays home. I have driven around the country during these times after things have cooled off the first morning. People start moving aroung a little in the afternoon and by the afternoon of the second day it is over. Most of the time it is a local strike for a specific reasons and you can figure out a way to drive around it. Sometimes Bani or La Vega will have a strike and San Francisco de Macoris will join in solidarity. The people in the street are paid and it really is almost theatre. I usually stay away from these situations but was able to even pay a toll one time to get through road block in Teneras. The reason why people stay home is if you drive around you make get a broken window or punctured tires. The reason why people don't walk around too far from home is the police might round you up as a suspected huelgista. I think most people kind of treat it like a holiday and spead a relaxing day at home with the family. My brother in law the campasino just goes to the finca and does a normal days work. Usually is employees stay home. The strikes happen over long standing issues which the government fails to address. Lately it has been police killings and trying to meter people so they can pay for their electricity that has caused these flare ups. Burning or burnt tires in the road (1-3 usually do the trick) a fallan tree, some garbage (in the city) and some broken glass is how they let you know not to cross here. I am sure your group will be in the Captial or Santiago and maybe a tourist area. You will not find any suprises and I'm sure the barrios like Capitillo will not be on your schedule.