Controversy Escalates Over Construction Near Manuel Antonio National Park

Since it was reportedly constructed in a protected area, the construction of a luxury infrastructure building near Manuel Antonio National Park was halted. Despite the developers' appeal, the project remains under investigation for various environmental law violations, with significant public opposition and legal scrutiny.

(Photo : Pexels/Davide Locatelli )

Illegal Activities Accusation on Islas de Manuel Antonio

As one of the most luxurious ocean-view homes in Costa Rica, Islas of Manuel Antonio is a brand-new, limited-access 6-star condo complex. Conway+ developed a brand that incorporates elements of nature, imbuing a visual language with a natural yet elevated way of life. This was done in response to the natural treasures that are located in the vicinity of the project. In the course of its development, the residential project known as Islas de Manuel Antonio included a beach club, a restaurant, and a tower of apartment buildings, and 16 levels were incorporated into the design of the tower.

However, on Wednesday, Jun 5, the Public Prosecutor's Office announced that it had successfully stopped the construction project due to its purported location within the Aguirre Biological Corridor, which is near the renowned Manuel Antonio Park. There is an ongoing investigation into a suspected illegal land use change attributed to the unlawful exploitation of the forest cover at the site.

Additionally, a request for a protective measure was submitted to the Criminal Court of Quepos of Quepos. The legislation was reportedly approved for four months beginning on May 31. Under file number 18-000027-0611-PE, the Public Prosecution Service is investigating the suspected crimes of ideological lying, deceit, land use change, failure to comply with the Forestry Law, and failure to comply with the Water Law.

As stated by the Public Prosecution Service, the material that is now available provides support for the notion that the region is a forest land and component of the Aguirre Biological Corridor which is of utmost importance to the ecosystems that this region contains, including Manuel Antonio National Park. In addition, a change in land use is suspected to have been brought about by unlawful logging of the forest cover that was discovered at the location, according to the Public Prosecution Service. There were around twenty-five thousand Costa Ricans who signed a petition in March to put a stop to the construction of this condominium development.

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Developers' Appeal over the Ruling

The developers expressed their opposition to the project's termination. According to Francisco Jimenez, the company's attorney, they submitted a motion against the preventive action that had been requested by the Prosecutor's Office and authorized by the Criminal Court within the three working days allowed by law, following their notification of the resolution on the previous Friday, May 31.

Jimenez claims that the resolution that they are disputing contains significant flaws, and this resolution is the one that the Prosecutor's Office is relying on to imply that the suspension of the work has been permitted which has substantial flaws. The developer presented evidence to the judge during a hearing in May, and the judge determined that there was no validity in requesting or authorizing the precautionary measure. The jurist noted that this evidence was not evaluated.

An appeal against the security precaution was submitted by the company, and the Environmental Prosecutor's Office of Osa has verified that it has already been informed about the appeal. On the other hand, they continue to maintain their position and will urge that the work be put on hold for at least twelve months.

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