In El Salvador | 14 Richest Families

The 14 richest families of El Salvador represent a staggering concentration of power. While Bukele has cracked down on gang violence, he has not touched the oligarquía 2.0. As of 2025, these families still control over 60% of the country’s private GDP. They are the silent landlords of the nation, proving that in El Salvador, some dynasties are truly eternal.

Note: Net worth figures are estimates compiled from Central American financial reports, investigative journalism by El Faro, and land registry leaks. Actual wealth may be higher due to offshore shell companies.

The Krietes are the quintessential "new money" (post-1970s) that eclipsed old coffee families. They founded Grupo TACA (now Avianca), which made them regional airline moguls. After selling their stake in Avianca, they pivoted to Banco Cuscatlán (sold to Citigroup) and later founded BAC Credomatic (sold to Grupo Aval). Today, they own Aeroman (the largest aircraft maintenance facility in Latin America) and vast insurance holdings. Estimated family trust: $1.5 billion.

These 14 families are connected by a dense web of intermarriage. A Dueñas marries a Regalado; a Poma sits on the board of the Duque’s bank. They send their children to Escuela Americana (San Salvador) and then to University of Miami or Santa Clara University.

Crucially, they survived the 1979–1992 civil war by funding both sides—eventually supporting the ARENA party that halted land redistribution. Today, despite President Nayib Bukele’s anti-oligarch rhetoric, these families remain largely untouched. Their wealth is no longer in visible plantations; it is in Miami real estate, Swiss numbered accounts, and Delaware LLCs.

Forbes requires transparency. These families operate through blind trusts, offshore shell companies (often in Panama or the British Virgin Islands), and "testaferros" (front men). The Pandora Papers (2021) revealed how several Salvadoran first families hid assets in South Dakota trusts—not because they were breaking laws, but because they value privacy over publicity.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a small group of families controlled 80% of the land. They became known as “the 14 families.” While the 1980s civil war and land reforms broke their monopoly on land, their descendants pivoted to banking, industry, and distribution.

1. The de Sola Family Perhaps the most recognizable name. Originally Sephardic Jewish immigrants, the de Solas built a fortune in coffee and textiles. Today, they own Grupo Poma (one of the largest conglomerates), which controls everything from Ford dealerships to the Séptimo Sentido retail chain and Grupo Roble (shopping malls). 14 richest families in el salvador

2. The Dueñas Family A historic political dynasty (former presidents). While their land holdings shrunk after the war, they remain significant players in real estate and agro-industry, specifically in sugar mills (Ingenio El Ángel).

3. The Regalado Family Another political dynasty (President Tomás Regalado, 1898–1903). Their modern wealth is anchored in Banco Agrícola, the country’s largest bank (now part of the Colombian Grupo Aval), but the family retains deep ties to agriculture and construction.

4. The Quiñonez Family Founders of Grupo Q, a massive conglomerate with interests in Coca-Cola bottling (the largest in Central America), plastics, and food processing. They are a prime example of post-war diversification.

5. The Hill Family A rare Anglo-Saxon name in the oligarchy. The Hills built their empire in sugar (Ingenio La Cabaña) and later expanded into financial services and energy.

6. The Salaverría Family Heavyweights in coffee exportation during the 20th century. Today, they control Banco G&T Continental (regional) and substantial holdings in the energy sector through hydroelectric projects.

7. The Kriete Family Originally German immigrants. They are the face of Salvadoran aviation (Grupo TACA, now Avianca). After selling their airline stake, they pivoted to banking (Banco Cuscatlán, now part of Citibank) and industrial manufacturing.

8. The Llach Family Key players in the coffee elite. They later founded Grupo Llach, focusing on real estate and financial services, including the now-defunct Banco de Comercio. They remain influential in San Salvador’s high-end property market. The 14 richest families of El Salvador represent

9. The Simán Family Of Palestinian-Christian descent (a common thread in Salvadoran commerce). The Simáns founded Grupo Simán, a retail giant (Almacenes Simán) and later diversified into real estate and hospitality.

10. The Daboub Family Also of Palestinian origin. They control Grupo Real, which dominates the distribution of electronics, home goods, and the popular La Curacao department stores across Central America.

11. The Meza-Ayau Family A merger of two powerful coffee and cattle families. They are major players in the Grupo CMI (Corporación Multi Inversiones), a regional food processing giant that produces everything from flour to pasta.

12. The Choussy Family Of Lebanese descent. They are the kings of the Salvadoran sugar industry, owning Ingenio La Magdalena. They have significant influence over the country’s export quotas and energy co-generation (using sugar cane waste for power).

13. The Pacas Family Early coffee barons who founded the Asociación Cafetalera. They later moved into textiles (Grupo Pacas) and are major shareholders in regional banking.

14. The Safie Family Another Palestinian-Salvadoran powerhouse. The Safies own Grupo Agrisal, which manages major hotels (Real Intercontinental), shopping malls (Metrocentro), and the country’s largest private industrial parks.

For decades, the balance was perfect. They survived civil wars, coups, and economic crashes. But the world was changing. Note: Net worth figures are estimates compiled from

A new disruptor had arrived—technology and a shifting political landscape that threatened to bypass the old gatekeepers.

One rainy Tuesday, the heads of the Fourteen convened at a private estate in La Libertad. The issue on the table was a proposed international development project that threatened to bypass their local logistics companies. A foreign conglomerate wanted to build a new port, and they weren't asking for permission from the Valientes.

"It’s an insult," spat the Valiente patriarch, slamming his fist on the mahogany table.

"It’s progress," countered the Claros representative, adjusting his glasses. "And if we fight it, we look like dinosaurs. The world is watching El Salvador now. We can't just close the gates."

The debate raged for hours. The Dukes wanted to bury the deal in bureaucracy using the Regalados. The Paz family saw an opportunity to build the infrastructure if they played nice.

In the end, the decision came from an unexpected corner. The Cáceres family—owners of the energy sector—spoke up.

"We can stop the port," the Cáceres heir said quietly. "But we cannot stop the tide. If we block this, we strangle the economy we rely on. We must adapt. We must invest in their project and make it ours."

It was a vote for evolution over preservation.