A disputed leadership battle within Antigua and Barbuda’s Dominican Republic community is set for resolution, with a formal election scheduled for Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Multipurpose Centre.
The vote follows growing criticism of longtime community figure Alex Martinez, who has been accused of holding an unofficial, unelected role. Martinez has served as the voice of Spanish-speaking residents for years but acknowledges he was never formally chosen — a point that has sharpened recent calls for accountability.
Martinez says he is ready to face any challenger, though none has come forward. He said candidates must publicly declare their intention to run by Jan. 6. If no opponent emerges, the Jan. 11 gathering will function only as a ceremony to officially confirm him as leader of the Spanish community.
He says he has represented the community effectively for years and took on a more formal role during the COVID-19 pandemic, assisting families and advocating on immigration and social issues. The Dominican Republic community is estimated at more than 17,000 people.
Martinez also acknowledged lingering tensions, including what he described as a strained relationship with the Spanish Consulate.
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The Antiguan people have not forgotten the brutal killing of little Chantel, taken from us by a member of the Spanish Junta. Given this unforgivable act, their entire faction has no business arguing over leadership—they should accept the consequences of their actions and remove themselves from our shores once and for all.
This guy is nothing but another DR hustler.
He calls an election to anoint himself as the leader.
How does the Embassy and the Attorney General allow this?
The Dominicano #Don_Dada should run in the ABLP Primary in City West, where the Spanglish voters could be outnumbering the indigenous Antiguans voters (the present Natinwide census will be very interesting in terms of data collected). Heck he seems to have the charisma of Asot amongst his fellow Dominicanos in Antigua.
They’ll (the Domijicanos) will soon have a formal representative in the Parliament, outside, of the Wolves in Sheep clothing #who’re presently representing their best interests.
None of the Political Parties will address the real issues brought on, by the influx, of a Culture which is highly invasive and clandestine, due to the fact, that those within this culture have become the SWING VOTES, in Constituencies like RURAL WEST, CITY EAST, RURAL SOUTH, CITY SOUTH, CITY WEST.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏾Garrat_Bastard
Vere Edwards
Editor:
All media need to address this Matter as “Dominican Republic Community” only, because there is a lot of Spanish speakers in Antigua that are not part of this group and are from Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, Spain.
I don’t know if the legislation of A&B allow this type of movement, but at the eyes of the Antiguans, please don’t put all Spanish speakers in same bag. This is just a Dominican Republic Diaspora issue.
Editor: “Spanish Consulate” is the Consulate from Spain. And i don’t know if we have one in Antigua. Is the Dominican Republic Consulate.
“Martinez has served as the voice of Spanish-speaking residents”: Nobody ask this guy to do this, He is proclaiming himself the voice of the community from Dominican Republic. Not all Spanish speakers.
“Leader of the Spanish community” This is wrong, is like some Jamaican suddenly try to become the Leader of the Jamaica community in Antigua because he just wanted, or a St. Lucia Citizens, etc.
Is the government of A&B allocating funds to this community? For future reference all Expat need to create groups to represent their citizens and be the voice of them in A&B parlament?
Please Editor you can do your own article and inquire to the Government authorities in A&B if Expat living over here we are allowed to create groups and do elections to represent them and don’t use consulates anymore.