14 - Richest Families In El Salvador Best ^new^

At the head of the table sat Don Alejandro, a man whose grandfather had arrived at the port of La Libertad with little more than a suitcase and a relentless drive to dominate the coffee trade. He looked out at the younger generation gathered around him. There were the Poma representatives, heirs to a retail and automotive empire that stretched across the continent. Next to them sat the Dueñas family members, whose ancestral lands had transformed into the luxury hubs of Santa Elena.

: One of the most powerful and diversified groups in Central America, with interests in automotive (Excel Automotriz), real estate (Grupo Roble), and hotels. Grupo Simán 14 richest families in el salvador best

Real estate, investments, and philanthropy. At the head of the table sat Don

The term " las catorce familias " (the Fourteen Families) refers to the oligarchy that dominated El Salvador during the 19th and 20th centuries. Their power grew from the lucrative coffee export industry at the end of the 19th century, following laws that enabled these families to acquire vast tracts of land. Historical accounts include families such as . Over time, these familial dynasties have intermarried to consolidate power, leading to entities like the powerful Dueñas-Regalado clan. Next to them sat the Dueñas family members,

Palestinian-Christian immigrants who arrived in the early 20th century. Power Base: Retail & Real Estate. Why they are best: The Simáns are the undisputed kings of retail. They founded Almacenes Simán (now partially sold to the Panamanian group Grupo UNO). They own massive shopping centers (Metrocentro) and housing developments. Unlike the old coffee elite, the Simáns are dynastic merchants who brought consumerism to the masses. Their "best" quality is their adaptation—surviving the civil war by never picking a side and emerging as the landlords of the capital.