While the political influence of these families was traditionally exercised through parties like ARENA, they have had to adapt to the new political reality under Nayib Bukele’s administration, with some family members still holding economic sway, while political power has shifted toward newer faces.
The Dueñas name is synonymous with old money. The family controls , the largest bank in El Salvador (now partly owned by Bancolombia, but operational control remains local). Through Grupo Agrisal , they own the most prestigious shopping malls (Metrocentro, Galerías), hotels (Real Intercontinental), and office towers. If you buy a luxury condo or rent an A-grade office in San Salvador, you pay rent to the Dueñas family.
For the average Salvadoran, these names represent the establishment—the "oligarchy" that President Bukele has vowed to dismantle. Yet, even with Bukele’s supermajority in Congress, these families remain standing. Their wealth is not in dollars; it is in infrastructure (roads, ports, malls) and rights (franchises, licenses, land titles).
, president of El Salvador from 1989 to 1994, is a prominent member of this wealthy coffee family of Italian origin. In 2023 and 2026 , his name was back in the headlines when the Attorney General's Office intervened in 156 properties belonging to the former president, valued at approximately $85 million . 14 richest families in el salvador
By the end of the Salvadoran Civil War (1980–1992), the power of the traditional "coffee oligarchy" began to decline or transform. Today, economic analysts argue that wealth has shifted from landowning families to a smaller number of financial conglomerates and business groups. The New York Times Current major economic groups in El Salvador include:
Instead of the traditional 14, many researchers now focus on eight dominant groups that emerged following the 1992 Peace Accords and the neoliberal reforms of the 1990s: Banagrícola Banco Salvadoreño Banco de Comercio Agrisal Grupo Poma Grupo de Sola Grupo Hill
: Modern economic analysis suggests the traditional "14 Families" have evolved. By the late 20th and early 21st centuries, wealth concentration shifted from landed agricultural estates to eight major financial conglomerates . These groups expanded into banking, retail, and industry. Key Influential Families While the political influence of these families was
Finally, the Choussys control and Laboratorios López , the only national drug manufacturer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they became de facto gatekeepers for private vaccines. They also own a chain of private hospitals (Hospital de Diagnóstico). Their wealth surged 40% during the health crisis. Estimated net worth: $250 million .
The Historical Context: The 14 Families and the Coffee Republic
$250 Million Source of Wealth: Textiles, Apparel Manufacturing. Through Grupo Agrisal , they own the most
Historically, these families were built on coffee, cotton, and sugar cane. In recent decades, these fortunes diversified into: Real Estate Development Retail and Supermarkets Industrial Manufacturing
Historically prominent in coffee exporting and early industrial manufacturing (such as household goods and oils), the De Sola family has transitioned into a sophisticated family office structure. They focus on venture capital, real estate development, and corporate investments across borders. 11. The Wright Family Core Sectors: Agriculture, Finance, Real Estate