El Salvador loosened protected-area zoning rules in 2021; from 2024 companies of former minister Mario Salaverría bought $15.5 million of land, Gato Encerrado reports
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What happened
Gato Encerrado reports that Environment Minister Fernando López presented changes to environmental zoning guidelines to the Regulatory Improvement Agency in March 2021 that eased restrictions on 'maximum protection' areas; the agency issued a favourable resolution on 23 July 2021 and the guidelines were published in the Official Gazette on 8 October 2021. The outlet reports that, from February 2024, three companies controlled by former Agriculture Minister Mario Salaverría, with minority partners including Michael McCluskey and Luis Felipe Trigueros, bought roughly 630 to 670 hectares for $15.5 million, including 22.87% of Meanguera del Golfo island. The report does not establish that the rule change was made for these purchases. President Bukele's press office did not respond; Salaverría said he is a private businessman who owes no explanation; Trigueros said he sold his shares.
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