Resident commissioner presses for explanations on approval of Esencia project

Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera 

By THE STAR STAFF

Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera on Sunday pressed the Puerto Rico government and its Permits Management Office (OGPe by its acronym in Spanish) to explain how and why they approved Esencia, the newly announced $2 billion luxury tourism and residential project slated for Cabo Rojo’s southwest coast -- a decision that has already drawn criticism from community and environmental organizations.

Hernández Rivera said the administration must address “many doubts” surrounding the project, particularly regarding water availability and what he described as a pattern of opaque decision-making.

“The government of Puerto Rico and OGPe must clarify many doubts of the people regarding Esencia, particularly about water and the lack of transparency in the processes -- as reflected in making important announcements on a Friday after 5 p.m. or on December 24,” he said in a written statement.

The resident commissioner’s remarks came two days after the development team -- Reuben Brothers and Three Rules Capital -- announced it had received official approval to move forward with the 2,000‑acre destination in the Boquerón sector featuring hotel brands such as Mandarin Oriental and Rosewood, 1,200 private residences, 500 luxury hotel rooms, and a suite of amenities including a bilingual K‑12 school, medical center, equestrian facilities, two golf courses and more than 20 miles of nature trails. The developers say more than 75% of the land will be dedicated to conservation and community use, including wetland restoration and dune rehabilitation.

The companies project more than 17,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs and over $7 billion in long-term economic activity. Formal sales begin later this year, with the first residents and guests expected by late 2029. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company previously granted the project $497.6 million in tax credits in 2024.

The announcement has intensified concerns among groups in Cabo Rojo, who argue the project threatens protected land and could strain water resources in a region already facing supply challenges. Several organizations have criticized the government for what they describe as a rushed or insufficiently transparent approval process. Developers counter that they have completed all required public hearings and will comply with environmental conditions set by regulators.

Hernández Rivera’s intervention signals growing political scrutiny of the project at a moment when the administration is promoting large-scale tourism investments as engines of economic growth. The resident commissioner said the government owes residents a clear explanation of how it evaluated Esencia’s environmental impact, water demand and compliance with permitting rules.

The developers, meanwhile, maintain the project is designed to “celebrate the island’s extraordinary natural beauty and heritage,” in the words of Reuben Brothers principal Jamie Reuben, and to fulfill commitments made to the community, Three Rules Capital CEO Will Bennett said.