Dimar authorizes the intervention of El Laguito and destroys a project of more than $30.000 million to recover this tourist sector of Cartagena

The Gobernación de Bolívar has received official authorization to intervene in maritime assets and advance with the first phase of a comprehensive recovery project for El Laguito, one of Cartagena’s most iconic tourist areas. The decision was made by the Dirección General Marítima (Dimar), which approved the intervention of public maritime properties required for executing the project. This marks a key milestone in efforts to restore the area, valued at over $30 billion, following months of technical and administrative evaluations. The approval was formalized through Resolution 0300 dated June 4, 2026, issued by Dimar. The document authorizes the intervention of beaches, tidal flats, and other spaces under Dimar's jurisdiction, essential for carrying out the planned works. The process also included the signing of an act of delivery by the Captaincy of Cartagena, completing the necessary legal and technical steps to begin implementation. The authorization came after several months of studies and reviews conducted by the Gobernación de Bolívar before submitting the proposal to Dimar. During this period, engineering designs, georeferenced plans, bathymetric studies, technical reports, legal opinions, and field inspections were evaluated. Additionally, the project was officially published to allow citizen participation and receive feedback, which was analyzed prior to issuing the final approval. According to Dimar, the goal was to ensure all interventions comply with current environmental, maritime, and administrative regulations. The project includes an investment exceeding $30 billion in Cartagena. Its first phase aims to transform the surroundings of El Laguito’s lagoon through urban, environmental, and landscape recovery works. Among the planned interventions are the rehabilitation of approximately 35,000 square meters of beaches, the construction of both terrestrial and palafitted pedestrian paths around the lagoon, a pedestrian bridge over the connecting channel, and new parking areas. The Gobernación asserts these works seek to recover degraded public spaces, improve pedestrian mobility, and enhance the tourist appeal of one of the city’s most visited sectors. During the formal approval ceremony, Governor Yamil Arana Padauí described the authorization as a decisive step toward realizing a long-awaited project. He acknowledged that one of the main challenges had been regaining community trust, as residents and business owners had heard promises of restoration without seeing tangible results. The governor also urged the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA) to expedite the licensing process needed for the second phase of the project, which he emphasized is crucial for completing the full-scale intervention of the area. El Laguito is recognized as one of the primary tourist corridors in Cartagena, and its revitalization is expected to have a significant impact on local tourism and economic activity. The project represents a major effort to address years of neglect and disrepair, aiming to restore the area’s historical and cultural significance while improving infrastructure and accessibility for visitors and residents alike. As work progresses, further updates on the implementation of the project will likely follow.