Six die in Dominican IMF protests

Six people were killed and over 20 wounded in the Dominican Republic on 11 November during a strike in protest at government economic policy. The strike, which follows social unrest in Bolivia, Honduras and Ecuador, was called by trade unions and social activists to protest austerity measures called for by the IMF. It was supported by leading opposition parties and part of the ruling party. The strike coincided with plans for government IMF talks over a stalled $600 million standby loan. An IMF team was expected to travel to Santo Domingo in mid-November to review the state of the economy. The review had been delayed, pending analysis of the government’s decision to buy two electricity distribution companies.