Category Archives: Blog

Investment Opportunity in Road Infrastructure: International Tender for the El Rancho–Teculután Expansion in Guatemala

Guatemala is preparing to launch an international public tender for the expansion of a key highway segment: the El Rancho–Teculután section of the CA-9 Corridor, with an investment value of US$175 million. This initiative presents a significant opportunity for construction, supervision, and infrastructure investment firms worldwide. The project consists of expanding 35 kilometers of the…

PEG-5 and PET-3: Guatemala launches mega-projects and boosts its energy future

On 23 April 2025, the Guatemalan Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) and the National Electricity Commission (CNEE), officially announced the launch of tenders for (1) PEG-5 of EEGSA, DEOCSA, and DEORSA[1] and (2) PET-3 of the MEM, representing an important step in developing the country’s energy sector. PEG-5 The main objective of PEG-5 is…

BLP advised Comcast on the acquisition of Nitel

BLP advised Comcast on the acquisition of Nitel, a U.S. managed services provider headquartered in Chicago, from international private equity firm Cinven. The Nitel acquisition boosts Comcast Business’s connectivity capabilities and strengthens its distribution strategy. BLP advised on the Costa Rican matters related to the acquisition of all issued and outstanding shares of Nitel’s subsidiary…

Employee Stock Plans and Their Deductibility in Income Tax (ISR): Key Considerations

Author https://blplegal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Planes-de-Acciones-para-Empleados_FOTO-Elisa-Lacs.png Elisa Lacs Senior Associate Guatemala E-mail Employee stock plans, known as stock options or employee share ownership plans (ESOPs), are a strategic tool for attracting and retaining talent. However, their tax treatment in Guatemala raises questions about their deductibility under the Income Tax (ISR).  A key issue is whether these plans can be…

Smart Contracts in M&A

Author https://blplegal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Articulo-Transacciones-de-Fusiones-y-Adquisiciones-MA_FOTO-Aurora-Solis.png Aurora Solís Senior Associate Costa Rica E-mail Smart contracts are self-executing agreements that automatically enforce the terms of specific arrangements between parties, such as buyers and sellers. These contracts are already being implemented across various commercial sectors, particularly in FinTech, through high-frequency trading, or in retail via online purchases with dynamic pricing.  In…

BLP advised Bekaert on the sale of its stake in Costa Rican subsidiary BIA Alambres Costa Rica S.A. to Grupo AG

BLP advised Bekaert, a global leader in the steel wire transformation and coating technologies market, on the sale of its stake in the Costa Rican subsidiary BIA Alambres Costa Rica S.A. to Grupo AG, a regional leader in steel production and construction solutions with operations in Guatemala and Honduras and presence in eleven countries through…

BLP advised CAF on a new bond issuance in Costa Rica

BLP has advised CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean on the issuance of Series C1 of the CAF Local Bond Program in Costa Rica, for an amount of ₡35,000,000,000, equivalent to approximately USD67 million, with a 7-year term and an interest rate of 6.18%.  With this new placement, CAF reaffirms its…

SAT Unifies NIT with DPI Starting March 17, 2025

Starting Monday, March 17, 2025, the Personal Identification Document (DPI) will automatically become the Tax Identification Number (NIT), eliminating the need to manage a separate NIT. This measure, implemented by the Tax Administration Office (SAT) through resolution SAT-DSI-393-2025, seeks to simplify administrative and tax procedures in the country.  Key Changes and Benefits:  DPI Access to…

BLP advised IFX on the Acquisition of Gold Data

BLP advised IFX on its acquisition of Gold Data in Costa Rica, a technology company specializing in telecommunications infrastructure that provides high-quality direct connectivity throughout the Americas and the Caribbean.  This transaction allows IFX to complement its portfolio of Data Centers, Cloud, Security, and Value-Added Services with significant network infrastructure. This strengthens its position as…