Costa Rica It is a mature destination for RIU, where it opened First hotel in 2009 Y second in 2012. Since its inception, the tourist complex on the Pacific coast, Controversy over alleged irregularities during construction. Ecologists from the Central American country insist that the Mallorcan chain has suffered environmental damage with this project in Playa Matapalo in the state of Guanacaste. The long judicial process has been reopened, now his trial for environmental crimes has been postponed to February 24, 2023.
After the criminal case is opened, the case continues. Since the project started first hotel in 2008, the environmental organization Confraternidad Guanacaste persecuted the Mallorcan company. He argues that the complex was built “in violation of existing laws,” according to a statement released this December after the process reopened. He accuses the hotelier of diverting a stream. (“a ravine”), the removal of trees from a public beach area, the removal and filling of a mangrove swamp – a type of coastal and moist ecosystem rich in biodiversity – and the consequent death of trees. The chain faces an environmental damage penalty of up to around 136,000 euros.
They declare to this newspaper from the RIU that they will attend the hearing and are not surprised that the conflict continues violently.. Although the hotel complex was opened 13 years ago, they take it for granted that the complaints will continue. They argue that they “always” respect the legislation.
Layout without “error”
Costa Rican sociologist arturo silva lucasPart of Alba Sud, a Catalan think tank specializing in research and communication for development, explains: In 2009, the criminal case against the RIU began to be considered a crime and will now be decided in the environmental court.. “It ranges from a sanction with the possibility of a prison sentence to an economic sanction and perhaps partial or total closure of facilities” would also mean revocation of environmental permits.
Faced with criminal proceedings, the RIU chose to take advantage of a mediation process that “doesn’t amount to admission of guilt,” which they declared off the chain. Ecologists, on the other hand, think that this agreement requires recognition of environmental damage and claim that “a hidden amount (money) has been paid”. The company denies this and assures that what it is doing is to ensure fauna crossing and to open up a challenge for the benefit of the community.
The chain claims that Costa Rican environmental authorities have released reports – which have been confirmed by a court – confirming that “there was never any forest on the land” occupied by hotels, in addition to the fact that they have been used for agriculture since 1971. use and all work performed complies with local regulations.
these reports
Since 2009, ecologists and residents have objected that the construction of hotels altered the flow of a stream and a mangrove swamp dried up, affecting the ecosystem.Besides condemning the illegal use of the first coastline —the sea-land region—and deforestation in the region. Alba Sud researcher, “The company accuses that these actions were carried out through false or incomplete environmental impact studies. Probably,” says Arturo Silva, “there is corruption by the authorities who process environmental permits.
NGO Confraternidad Guanacaste has filed an appeal Amparo on June 30 this year in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, as the court that heard the complaint against the RIU failed to reactivate the hearings or make any decision on the “adverse environmental impact”. Playa Matapalo denounced her delay in litigation against the Mallorcan company. More than a decade later, environmentalists questioned why “all these years have passed and no substantial resolution has been reached in the case”.
Thus, the Constitutional Chamber accepted the objections of ecologists that their complaints should be resolved definitively at the hearing in February. The NGO is confident that the penalty will include “the demolition of at least one of the hotels built above the piped valley canal.”
Controversy has surrounded the RIU complex from the very beginning. A Nicaraguan worker died in November 2008. Later, the press reported that the workers were living in unsanitary conditions. and even then restarted project stopped.
Next extension Follow the commitment to the goal
RIU will announce in January the expansion of its complex in Guanacaste, Costa Rica Pacific. The company has two hotels in the destination, Riu Palace Costa Rica, Luxury facility with 538 roomsRiu Guanacaste, opened in 2012 Five-star hotel with 701 rooms, opened in 2009. They’re next to the National Refuge. Vida Silvestre, a 200-hectare protected natural area located on land owned and maintained by.