In its ongoing commitment to safeguard the economy and rights of its citizens, the Government of El Salvador continues to prioritize consumer protection. With a vigilant monitoring system in place, the government ensures thorough investigations and imposes sanctions on businesses that violate regulations.
This dedicated effort has yielded positive outcomes. Today, President Ricardo Salazar of the Consumer Ombudsman announced the recovery of $32,314,780.94 in 2023, benefiting 145,464 individuals. This revelation came during the presentation of a comprehensive report on the institution’s accomplishments throughout the year.
Out of the total recovered amount, $32,004,795.90 resulted from cases resolved through alternative dispute resolution methods, $269,382.93 from the decisions of the Sanctions Tribunal leading to refunds, and $40,602.11 from legal representation in civil and mercantile courts.
Remarkably, 91.1% of the recuperated funds, amounting to $23.5 million, are from the real estate sector, benefiting 3,521 individuals. Other sectors include financial services ($2.8 million, 3,325 beneficiaries), general services ($1.9 million, 41,898 consumers), and tourism ($1 million, 489 beneficiaries), as highlighted by President Salazar.
“We are now more connected with our population. We’ve successfully established 75 service points, 36 of which operate in-person and 39 through non-presential or virtual means. This year, we achieved 123,642 interactions, a 9.7% increase compared to the previous year,” shared Salazar.
Additionally, the Sanctions Tribunal imposed fines totaling $2,060,356.56, stemming from 370 resolutions for violations of consumer protection laws, usury laws, and credit card system laws. Sectors implicated in these fines include food, tourism, services, electronics, furniture, and household items.
“In the last six years, consumer interactions have surged by 58%, escalating from 78,000 to 123,642 annually. Notably, 60% of these interactions are now non-presential,” emphasized the head of the Consumer Ombudsman, underscoring the institution’s expanded reach and effectiveness in protecting consumer rights.