A. M. 
President Nayib Bukele officially inaugurated the new Mercado San Miguelito, rebuilt from the ground up after the fire that consumed the previous structure in 2021. The project represents a historic investment of $34 million, aimed at providing a modern, safe, and functional infrastructure for merchants and users, strengthening the local economy, and generating opportunities for thousands of families.
The market has four carefully distributed levels:
• Level 1: 288 stores and 11 warehouses, as well as a Breastfeeding Room and an un Centro de Atención a la Primera Infancia (CAPI), prioritizing the well-being of children and families.
• Level 2: 266 stores and 14 warehouses, with 4 elevators, 2 freight elevators, and concrete and metal staircases; fruits, vegetables, clothing, footwear, spices, and handicrafts will be offered.
• Level 3: 243 stores and 14 warehouses, with an administrative area and restrooms; it includes pharmacies, bakeries, beauty salons, and clothing stores.
• Level 4: 219 stores and 14 warehouses, with 4 elevators, 2 freight elevators, and modern staircases. This level houses seafood, food, and fresh produce, while the terrace houses 24 food stalls, cafes, and bars, with gardens and open areas offering panoramic views of San Salvador.
The government guaranteed that merchants’ fees will remain the same as before the fire and that stalls will be assigned primarily to established vendors. Furthermore, formal contracts detailing rights and obligations will be signed, promoting transparency and legal certainty.
The opening of the Mercado San Miguelito is part of a broader plan to develop public markets managed by the Dirección de Mercados Nacionales, with additional projects in Chalchuapa, Tapalhuaca, Monte San Juan, El Triunfo, Concepción de Oriente, Lourdes, Nueva Concepción, La Palma, and San José Guayabal. Work will soon begin in Santa Tecla, Puerto de La Libertad, Santa Ana, and San Miguel.
President Nayib Bukele announced the completion of five markets in different regions of the country, highlighting the San Miguelito Market as the main one, followed by the Chalchuapa Market, with an investment of $17.6 million, the Tapalhuaca Market in La Paz, the Monte San Juan Gastronomic Plaza in Cuscatlán, and the El Triunfo Market in Usulután.
He also reported that other markets are under construction, some already in an advanced stage, such as the Concepción de Oriente Market in La Unión with $1.1 million, the Lourdes Market in La Libertad with $10 million, the Nueva Concepción Market in Chalatenango with $10.5 million, a market in La Palma, Chalatenango with $708,000, and the San José Guayabal Market in Cuscatlán with an investment of $2.8 million, thus consolidating a national plan to modernize the country’s commercial infrastructure and strengthen the local economy.
This investment not only strengthens the local economy but also guarantees decent and orderly spaces for merchants, promoting safe, efficient, and sustainable commerce throughout the country.
