Rafael Francisco Alburquerque de Castro (born June 14, 1940) is a Dominican politician who was Vice President of the Dominican Republic from August 2004 to August 2012, serving under President Leonel Fernández.

He was chosen by the President Leonel Fernández Reyna as his ballot companion for his second consecutive presidential term, by the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD).

A study by a local pollster in January 2011, to the closed question: "Of the following political leaders of the PLD, who is the best candidate for the 2012 elections?"

46.7% said Danilo Medina; 32% Rafael Alburquerque%; 7.4% Francisco Domínguez Brito; 6.7% José Tomás Pérez.

Alburquerque, Camilo, Segura and Javier García have made public aspirations for the presidential nomination.