A. M. 
The Defensoría del Consumidor reported a record $57.6 million recovered for consumers in 2025, benefiting 329,491 people—the highest figure in the institution’s history. This represents a 41% increase compared to 2024, when approximately $40.4 million was recovered.
The president of the Defensoría del Consumidor, Ricardo Salazar, explained that the majority of the recovered funds are concentrated in five key sectors. Real estate leads with $41.94 million, followed by financial services with $9.1 million, telecommunications with $1.6 million, tourism with $1.3 million, and vehicles with $1.1 million, which together account for 97% of the total recovered.
The report highlights that these results are the product of sustained market verification and control efforts, which included more than 5,000 inspections nationwide and the review of 1,600 products to ensure compliance with technical and consumer protection regulations.
As a result of these actions, the institution also imposed more than 500 sanctions, with fines exceeding US$3.6 million, in addition to ordering refunds for affected consumers.
During the presentation of these results, the Defensoría del Consumidor received certification for its Anti-Bribery Management System, in accordance with the international standard ISO 37001:2016, awarded by the Organismo Salvadoreño de Normalización. This recognition reinforces transparency processes and the responsible use of public resources.
The agency emphasized that the record economic recovery reflects a higher level of effective protection of consumer rights and a direct impact on the finances of thousands of Salvadoran households.
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