Hugo Guiliani Cury warns land invasions threaten tourism

Santo Domingo.- Former Central Bank Governor Hugo Guiliani Cury has raised concerns over how illegal land occupations in the Dominican Republic are undermining foreign investment and tourism development. On his X account, he highlighted the case of an American investor whose tourism project in Cabarete was blocked due to land invasions.

Guiliani Cury recalled a US$3 billion tourism plan he once presented for the Barahona-Pedernales region to Middle Eastern investment funds, which fell through after consultants discovered images of land invasions on social media. He also reported being personally affected by illegal occupations on his properties in Barahona and criticized authorities for failing to address the issue.

The economist denounced the presence of professional land invaders in provinces like Puerto Plata and Barahona, linking them to drug trafficking and alleging complicity from civil and judicial authorities. He called on President Luis Abinader to take decisive action, urging: “Act, President Abinader. Act.”