They say the Ministry of Culture objects to the plan to unearth Enriquillo’s remains

Santo Domingo.- The excavation work to try to locate the remains of Chief Enriquillo could not begin on the 3rd of this month, as planned, due to the refusal shown by the Ministry of Culture, according to sources from the managing commission.

Julio Merán, spokesperson for the commission, said that “the refusal caused discomfort among the organizers,” who had planned to start work in Pueblo Viejo de Azua, where the chief Enriquillo is believed to be buried.

“The excavations in the Ruins of the Mercedes Church, in Pueblo Viejo Azua, with Archaeologist Kathleen Martínez and her team of scientists, could not be carried out, due to the refusal of the Ministry of Culture,” said Merán.

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He added that Lidia Martínez, president of the commission, and Father Rafael Cuello, from the Las Mercedes church, have not had the support of the Minister of CultureMilagros Germán, nor Juan Mubarak, director of Heritage of Monuments.

Enriquillo, a prominent Taíno warrior, led a revolt against Spanish colonial authorities in 1519, and his remains are believed to have been buried in Las Ruinas de Pueblo Viejo, in Azua.