First, can you please give us an idea of the sort of work your team has done recently? 

Grupo MARTÍ is one of the main business groups in the Dominican Republic, a leader in the hydrocarbons sector for more than 60 years, and a company which, in the last decade, has diversified its operations to include the automotive sector (both in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Panama), as well as the energy, media, pension funds, insurance and tourism sectors.  

I have been part of Grupo MARTÍ’s senior management team since 2011, initially as regional legal and compliance director, and, as of July 2023, as regional legal and corporate vice president. Among the new responsibilities as regional legal and corporate vice president of Grupo MARTÍ are, in addition to the legal aspects and compliance of the group, the management of human resources, sustainability and the Tropigas Foundation.  

As part of my duties, I actively participate in Grupo MARTÍ’s strategic decision-making, and I have played a leading role in its diversification, expansion, and national and international growth. In that sense, I have had to assume the leadership of legal aspects related to multiple merger and acquisition processes, complex dispute resolution processes, regulatory compliance issues in multiple jurisdictions, and the creation of good corporate governance practices.  

Among the relevant transactions are the recent strategic alliance and subsequent merger between Grupo MARTÍ and TotalEnergies for the liquid fuels, natural gas and renewable energy (solar) sector in the Dominican Republic. Likewise, the acquisition of new brands of light and heavy vehicles in the Dominican Republic, and the expansion in the automotive sector in processes of acquisition of new brands in Central American and Caribbean countries. In addition, in the energy sector, obtaining permits, signing the Power Purchase Agreement and contracts for the construction and commissioning of a 50MW solar park in the Dominican Republic.  

How do you stay up-to-date with changes in laws and regulations in the Dominican Republic relevant to your organisation’s industry? 

I actively participate in the two most important hydrocarbon associations in the Dominican Republic, and my function is to advise and prepare reports on the new regulations that affect the sector, as well as represent the associations before the different government institutions that regulate the sector, in the review and negotiation of new regulatory proposals. In addition, I belong to the Legal Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR), and to the Legal Affairs Committee of the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP), as well as to the Justice and Legislation and Energy commissions and Economics from the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE).  

What is a cause, business related or otherwise, that you care about, and why?   

The regulatory framework of all sectors must be adapted to the current reality and its compliance must be ensured by the corresponding government institutions. Periodic and recurring reviews must be carried out to make the corresponding adjustments, taking into account the evolution of the businesses, guaranteeing legal certainty and private sector investments.