Puerto Rico Approves $2 Billion Luxury Development Amid Environmental Concerns
Puerto Rico's government has authorized a $2 billion luxury development project in the southwest region of the island, specifically in the coastal town of Cabo Rojo. The project, named Esencia, will cover 2,000 acres and include 500 luxury hotel rooms, 1,200 private residences, two golf courses, an equestrian center, a school, and a medical center. The development is backed by global investment firm Reuben Brothers and real estate company Three Rules Capital. Despite assurances that 75% of the project will focus on conservation and green space, environmentalists have raised concerns about the potential strain on local resources and threats to wildlife. The project has been approved by Puerto Rico's Adjunct Board of the Permit Management Office, but it faces opposition from groups like the Defend Cabo Rojo Coalition, which argues that the community and experts were not adequately consulted. 
