El Salvador's airport construction displaces residents

Residents face displacement as an airport project threatens mangrove forests in El Salvador.

Destruction of mangroves highlights risks of El Salvador's Bitcoin City

President Nayib Bukele's administration is fast-tracking the construction of a new airport in La Unión, El Salvador. This initiative supports his vision of Bitcoin City. However, it has led to the displacement of over 225 households and destruction of critical mangrove habitats. Local residents report feeling coerced during negotiations with the government, receiving low compensation for their land. Environmentalists warn that the loss of mangroves, which protect against climate change impacts and support local wildlife, could endanger the very ambitions Bukele has for the airport and the tax-free economic zone.

The push for this airport in La Unión reflects a larger trend of prioritizing development over environmental sustainability in El Salvador. Critics argue that while Bukele claims the project will benefit the economy and create jobs, the reality is that local communities are being sidelined. The soaring land prices connected to new developments make it nearly impossible for small businesses and residents to thrive. As communities are torn between the allure of economic progress and their traditional livelihoods, the consequences of such rapid development may threaten more than just the mangroves. It's a foundational battle over who gets to thrive in a changing economy.

Highlights

How these developments unfold will shape the future of El Salvador and its communities.