Danilo Medina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Danilo Medina
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Danilo Medina in 2017
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| 53rd President of the Dominican Republic | |
| In office 16 August 2012 – 16 August 2020 |
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| Vice President | Margarita Cedeño de Fernández |
| Preceded by | Leonel Fernández |
| Succeeded by | Luis Abinader |
| Secretary of State of the Presidency | |
| In office 16 August 2004 – 8 November 2006 |
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| President | Leonel Fernández |
| Preceded by | Sergio Grullón |
| Succeeded by | César Pina Toribio |
| In office 16 August 1996 – 16 August 1999 |
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| President | Leonel Fernández |
| Preceded by | Rafael Bello Andino |
| Succeeded by | Alejandrina Germán |
| President of the Chamber of Deputies | |
| In office 16 August 1994 – 16 August 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Norge Botello |
| Succeeded by | Ramón Fadul |
| President pro tempore of CELAC | |
| In office 28 January 2016 – 26 January 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Rafael Correa |
| Succeeded by | Salvador Sánchez Cerén |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 November 1951 Bohechío, Dominican Republic |
| Political party | Dominican Liberation Party |
| Spouse |
Cándida Montilla
(m. 1987) |
| Relatives | Lucía Medina (sister) Francisco Caamaño (second-cousin) |
| Alma mater | Santo Domingo Institute of Technology |
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| Website |
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Danilo Medina Sánchez (born November 10, 1951) is a politician from the Dominican Republic. He served as the country's president from 2012 to 2020.
Medina is a member of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD). Before becoming president, he held important government jobs, including Chief of Staff for the president.
He won the presidential election in May 2012. Four years later, in 2016, he was re-elected with 61.8% of the vote. This was the largest victory for any president in the Dominican Republic since 1924.
Many people liked his work as president, especially his weekly visits to poor areas in the countryside. After he left office, questions were raised about whether some of his family members had been given unfair business advantages by the government.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Danilo Medina was born in Arroyo Cano, a small town in the San Juan Province of the Dominican Republic. He was the oldest of eight children.
From a young age, Medina was interested in leadership. When he was 18, he became a student leader. In 1973, he joined the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), a new political group started by former president Juan Bosch.
He studied economics at the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology (INTEC) and graduated with high honors in 1984. In 1987, he married Cándida Montilla, a psychologist. Together, they have three daughters: Sibeli, Vanessa, and Ana Paula.
Political Career
Medina's career in politics grew quickly. In 1986, he was elected to the country's Congress as a deputy. By 1990, he was a key member of his party's Political Committee, along with future president Leonel Fernández.
From 1994 to 1995, Medina served as the President of the Chamber of Deputies, which is part of the Dominican Republic's congress. This role made him an important figure in national politics.
Working with President Fernández
When Leonel Fernández became president in 1996, he chose Medina to be the Secretary of the Presidency. This job is similar to being the president's Chief of Staff. Medina was one of the president's most trusted advisors.
In 2000, Medina ran for president himself but did not win. He came in second place to Hipólito Mejía. When Fernández was elected president again in 2004, he once more appointed Medina as his Secretary of the Presidency.
Running for President
Medina decided to run for president again in the 2012 election. This time, he won with over 51% of the vote, defeating Hipólito Mejía.
During his campaign, Medina promised to create jobs, improve education, and fight against corruption.
Presidency of the Dominican Republic (2012–2020)
As president, Danilo Medina focused on social programs and economic growth. He was known for making surprise weekly visits to rural communities to listen to people's problems and offer help.
In 2016, he was re-elected for a second term. His 61.8% victory was a historic win. During his presidency, the Dominican Republic built stronger ties with the United States.
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His supporters describe his time in office as focused on helping people and being open about the government's actions. By the end of his second term, he had a high approval rating from the public. The country's constitution did not allow him to run for a third term in a row, and he left office in August 2020.
See also
In Spanish: Danilo Medina para niños
