Santo Domingo, RD.
Retired major general Enrique Perez i Perez died this morning, who was head of the Army and the National Police between the years of 1960 and 70.
His death occurred at his residence, as confirmed by this newspaper.
The first to report on the general’s death was journalist Orlando Gil, a columnist for this newspaper.
Pérez y Pérez served as head of the National Police from January 1, 1971, and was credited with creating the so-called Anti-Communist and Anti-Terrorist Democratic Front known as the Banda Colorá, a repressive body that persecuted young students. and opponents of the regime of Joaquin Balaguer.
General Pérez and Pérez had their origins in the military ranks, becoming head of the Dominican Army and minister of the Armed Forces in the provisional government of doctor Héctor Garci’a-Godoy Cáceres.
Enrique Perez and Perez was head of the Army from 6 of January of 1966 to 26 of February of 1966; after December 29, 1972 until May 12, 1975, and then again between July 20, 1978, and September 30, 1978.
While serving as Chief of the National Police he gave the following statement on crime in the country: “Criminals want to destroy the country; I advise them not to provoke me because I will face them with a hard hand.”
“And I pledge before you (the people) that I will be an advocate for your property and everything you want the Police to protect you.”
His period of action, so it is best remembered, is during the “twelve years” of Dr. Joaquin Balaguer, between 1966 and 1978.
During this period, more than 3,000 Dominicans lost their lives in acts of violence between 1966 and 1974, according to Dominican historian Frank Moya Pons in his book Handbook of Dominican History.
8 of August of 1971. The burial of Arsenio Rosary Albert takes place, of 21 years, student of the Independent University of Santo Domingo assassinated the previous day by the Colorá Band. pic.twitter.com/5R663Ks4cd
– MMRD (@MuseoMRD) August 8, 2020