Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader appointed Jean Luis Rodriguez as minister of housing, habitat and buildings in Santo Domingo on Sunday afternoon. Executive Decree 554-26 formalised the executive branch decision, officialising the leadership change at the government agency responsible for national housing and building policies across the Caribbean nation.
Rodriguez succeeds Victor "Ito" Bisono at the helm of the Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings, known locally by its acronym Mivhed. Bisono leaves the housing ministry to take up a new position as minister of foreign affairs, stepping into the diplomatic role following the resignation of outgoing foreign minister Roberto Alvarez.
Before his cabinet appointment, Rodriguez served as the executive director of the Dominican Port Authority, known as Apordom, between 2020 and 2026. The autonomous port authority oversees maritime infrastructure, port operations, and commercial shipping logistics across the Dominican Republic.
Background and administrative experience
According to information released by the Dominican Presidency, Rodriguez holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Universidad Iberoamericana, a private university based in Santo Domingo. His educational background also includes formal academic training in political science and economics, as well as a master's degree in business and international economic relations from the public Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo.
Presidency officials noted that Rodriguez brings extensive background experience in public administration, strategic planning, infrastructure, and territorial development. His career includes prior legislative service as an elected deputy representing the eastern province of El Seibo in the National Congress during the 2018 to 2020 parliamentary term.
Official records from the presidency also highlighted his professional work involving public-private partnerships, international economic relations, and municipal infrastructure management.
Cabinet restructuring in Santo Domingo
The appointment of Rodriguez comes as part of a series of executive branch government changes announced on August 16. August 16 marks Restoration Day in the Dominican Republic, a national date on which Dominican presidents traditionally review administrative appointments and announce cabinet adjustments.
Alongside the shifts at the foreign affairs ministry and Mivhed, President Abinader announced additional executive appointments. These included naming Xiomara Guante as director of the National Institute for Early Childhood Comprehensive Care, appointing Josefa Castillo as consul in Miami, and designating Juan Manuel Mendez to head the National Transit and Land Transportation Institute.
