Draft:Kariny Cruz
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Kariny Cruz (also known as Kariny Mercedes Figuereo Lizardo) is an American lawyer, powerlifting athlete, coach, and business owner. She is known for her work related to criminal justice and international legal matters, her participation in competitive powerlifting, and her professional activities in the United States and the Dominican Republic.
Submission declined on 27 February 2026 by Tarlby (talk).
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Early life and family
Cruz descends from a historically prominent Dominican family. Her great-grandfather, Wenceslao Figuereo, served as Vice President of the Dominican Republic under President Ulises Heureaux and later became President of the Dominican Republic in 1899 following Heureaux’s assassination.[1]
Her father, Flavio Figuereo, served as a Secretary of State during the administration of Dominican president Joaquín Balaguer.[2]
Education
Cruz graduated summa cum laude at the age of 19. She later earned two master’s degrees from Hodges University: a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Management.[3]
She is multilingual and speaks English, Spanish, Italian, and French.
Legal career
Cruz is a trained attorney with professional experience in criminal justice–related matters. During the 1990s, she practiced law in Miami, Florida, with a focus on international extradition and criminal defense–related legal work.
She was retained by the Miami-based law firm Bierman, Shohat, Loewy & Klein, P.A., a litigation and criminal defense practice active in federal proceedings during that period.[4]
Her name appears in official Dominican government publications, including the Gaceta Oficial, identifying her in her professional capacity as a lawyer.[5]
Cruz is also listed in official documentation of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL), where her name appears in government eligibility and appointment records.[6]
Athletic career
Cruz is a competitive powerlifting athlete who has participated in sanctioned competitions with officially recorded results. She has placed first in multiple competitions and holds state-level records in the bench press and deadlift in the State of Florida.
Her competition history and results are documented in publicly accessible powerlifting databases.[7]
She is registered as a competitor for national-level powerlifting competitions in the United States, including events held in Anaheim, California.
In addition to competing, Cruz works as a coach and trainer in strength and performance development.
Business activities
Cruz is a business owner with professional interests in real estate in the Dominican Republic. Her activities include private enterprise alongside her legal and athletic pursuits.
Awards and honors
- Cardenal Octavio Beras Rojas Award
- Literary recognition for a poetry publication (1992) associated with Universidad Católica Santo Domingo
- State-level powerlifting records in Florida
Citizenship
Cruz is an American citizen.
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