VIDEO: After More Than Two Decades, Ydanis Rodríguez and Guido Gómez Mazara Reunite in New York
New York: After more than two decades, political leaders Ydanis Rodríguez, the current Commissioner of Transportation for the city of New York, and Dr. Guido Gómez Mazara, president of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL), reunited during the Dominican official’s visit to the United States.
«Since I was a social activist at Washington High, a fighter… Yes, yes, look at what has happened in 29 years. Councilman, you have a lot of prestige! And now you are in charge of the Department of Transportation, the first Dominican, not the first Hispanic. It’s a great honor for me. I am very proud of you, Ydanis,» said Guido Gómez Mazara upon meeting Ydanis Rodríguez, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation.
«He’s my friend,» replied Ydanis Rodríguez. «I represent the Dominican community with dignity. It’s an honor for me to give more than I received. Being connected to the previous generation and knowing Guido’s mother, who was always dedicated to fighting for social justice, His father too, you know his commitment, which makes Guido continue working to improve society and create opportunities for everyone: the middle class, the upper class, and the working class,» Rodríguez added.
The Commissioner mentioned that he and Guido Gómez Mazara had been part of the Dominican community in New York since the Washington High riots, when Kiko García and the student movement were fighting for the community’s rights. Ydanis recalled those tough times when Dominicans were treated without respect in New York while trying to gain their first political representation. Back then, people would ask how many votes the community had while knocking on doors and asking for support.
Rodríguez explained that the Dominican diaspora has considerably empowered itself since those early days, becoming a genuine political force in the Big Apple. He also highlighted that the Dominican community has consolidated itself as an economic and commercial power, with institutions such as the Supermarket Association and prominent New York professionals such as Dr. Rafael Lantigua.
According to the archives of El Faro Latino newspaper 2014, the Dominican diaspora in New York had over 40 elected officials. By 2022, the Dominican community had made significant strides in political representation. That year, the following Dominican-origin elected officials were added:
• Antonio Reynoso: Brooklyn Borough President.
• Ydanis Rodríguez: Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation.
• Six council members:
o Christopher Marte
o Pierina Sánchez
o Oswald Félix
o Carmen de la Rosa
o Shaun Abreu
o Amanda Farías
Congressman Adriano Espaillat and Assembly members Víctor Pichardo and Carmen de la Rosa are other important elected officials of Dominican origin in New York.
I would like to highlight that the Dominican community in New York has experienced significant growth in terms of political representation, reflecting its increasing influence in the city.
