Regional News

Danilo Medina has been sworn in as president of the Dominican Republic three months after winning the election in a close vote. Addressing the Congress, the 60-year old economist vowed to fight corruption, create jobs and invest in education. Medina, from the governing PLD party, won 51% of the vote on 20 May. The previous President, Leonel Fernandez, was constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. The country, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, faces high unemployment and rising crime. The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, and the economy has been growing steadily, at about 4.5% a year. But more than 30% of its 10 million citizens still live below the poverty line, a problem Medina promised to address.