Santiago Matias Launches Own Party
Santiago Matias, also known as Alofoke, has announced the creation of his own political party to compete in the 2028 presidential elections in the Dominican Republic. This comes after he rejected an offer from the PRSC to be their presidential candidate. Matias aims to create a party with innovative ideas and principles, and has begun the process of collecting signatures to legally recognize the new party.
What was announced
On July 22, 2026, communicator and digital entrepreneur Santiago Matias, known as Alofoke, confirmed on his social media that he will found his own political party to compete in the 2028 presidential elections in the Dominican Republic. The news comes after more than 15 political organizations, including the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano (PRSC), offered him to be their presidential candidate.
What he announced exactly
Matias explained that his decision is a response to the current Dominican political landscape, which he believes needs a party with innovative ideas and principles. According to him, the new organization will seek to have a leadership, members, and affiliates committed to leaving behind traditional political practices.
Why he rejected PRSC
In June, the president of PRSC, Federico Antun Batlle (Quique Antun), had publicly declared that the doors of his party were open for Matias to lead their presidential ticket. Alofoke thanked the gesture but dismissed the offer, opting to build his own structure instead of inheriting the wear and tear associated with a historic party.
Who is Alofoke
Santiago Matias built his career in the urban music industry before founding, in 2006, Alofoke Music, the embryo of what is now Alofoke Media Group: a radio, YouTube, and content production platform with millions of followers, especially among young people and the Dominican diaspora.
Why it generates debate
The announcement reopened a known discussion in several countries: whether popularity on social media translates into real votes without a traditional territorial structure behind it. Dominican political analysts point out that Matias represents the phenomenon of the digital outsider who capitalizes on the wear and tear of traditional parties, while others question whether media notoriety is enough to sustain a government project. For now, the process has just begun: the validation of a new party before the Central Electoral Board (JCE) requires the collection of signatures in a percentage of the electoral roll, a procedure that can take months and will be the first real test of how much support this candidacy has outside of screens. Sources: Acento, El Nacional, and Ensegundos Republica Dominicana.