The Black Legend: The Rise of Jorge Solano Montenegro
When a Rags to Riches Story is one that has the hint of corruption — An Unseen Influence in Costa Rica
When you think of Little Orphan Annie, one doesn’t usually assume that she grew to be a corrupt land-baron with shady business deals across an entire county. One would assume this, unless they happen to be from Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, there is a living example of this exact scenario.
Jorge Solano Montenegro, a man with humble origins, no formal education, no marketable skill set, or family ties, has become one of the wealthiest individuals in Costa Rica in a relatively short period of time. Despite his lack of press or public listing, he is believed to control hundreds of businesses operated by his family.
https://www.diarioextra.com/Noticia/detalle/406662/polemica-autobusera--por-reunion-secreta-
Jorge Solano Montenegro and his family have state-sanctioned businesses like bus transportation, which by law are typically restricted to short-term concessions, are monopolized by Jorge Solano Montenegro and his family, holding one of the largest share — potentially even a majority — of the country’s bus transportation indefinitely. One could argue that Mr. Jorge Solano Montenegro has become a government subsidized billionaire who controls much of the country’s transportation on the backs of the Costa Rican population.
https://semanariouniversidad.com/especiales/quienes-son-los-duenos-de-los-autobuses-en-costa-rica/
Jorge Solano Montenegro’s family wide-ranging holdings are extensive and diverse, including gas stations, commercial real estate, tourism, ranches, and construction companies, across many industries.
Jorge Solano Montenegro is also among the largest private property owners in Costa Rica, with significant holdings in clear cut properties like “Ranch Caño Blanco,” adjacent to the government-protected green sea turtle nesting area in Tortuguero — one of the largest in the world. Adjacent and within these protected areas, he has made a habit of clear-cutting many hectares while filling the land with cattle.
https://www.sitada.go.cr/denunciaspublico/denuncias.aspx?denuncia=13386
This combination runs a major risk of causing an ecological disaster in one of the most bio-diverse places on earth. Jorge Solano Montenegro and his family as major cattle ranchers in Costa Rica is highly suspicious. (In Costa Rica it is widely known that money launderers often use livestock ranching as a medium to launder money. Costa Rica must put a stop to criminal financing being such an integral part of its economy).
There is a common thread among these businesses — they are state-sanctioned, yet Jorge Solano Montenegro and his family remain almost invisible to the government and the media. However, the people of Costa Rica are acutely aware of his pervasive influence, which affects their daily lives.
Detailed Insights:
- Transportation Magnate: Jorge Solano Montenegro and his family have exploited his transportation franchise by building bus stations that function as strip malls with restaurants, convenience stores, and restrooms, all of which generate additional revenue from captive consumers.
- Gas Station Magnate: In a country where owning a car is a luxury, Jorge Solano Montenegro and his family’s gas stations, strategically located next to his bus strip malls, ensure that he capitalizes on both vehicular and foot traffic.
- Real Estate Magnate: His real estate empire includes offices, hotels, and warehouses. These assets tie back to his bus and gas station conglomerates, creating a self-sustaining network that feeds into his other businesses.
- Tourism and Construction: State-sanctioned contracts have allowed Jorge Solano Montenegro and his family to integrate his tourism and construction businesses with his transportation services, funneling tourists directly to his hotels and tourist centers, such as Tortuguero.
Despite these extensive business dealings, Jorge Solano Montenegro and his family maintain an incredibly low profile, often not appearing as the owner on official records. His properties, often previously virgin rainforests, are now among the largest cattle ranches in Costa Rica, highlighting a controversial transformation under the guise of ecotourism or “eco-terrorism,” as some critics might claim.
Conclusion:
Jorge Solano Montenegro and his family’s empire spans across the seven states of Costa Rica, marked by his iconic signature green fences and expansive clear-cut lands now used as cattle ranches. While his ownership might not be evident on paper, the locals know exactly who controls these lands. His aggressive acquisition tactics, significantly impacting the everyday lives of Costa Ricans.
