Rodolfo Salazar

Partner

“Rodolfo Salazar is a very positive and well-instructed lawyer, with a strong capability to come up with innovative solutions. He has good knowledge of the sector and the Guatemalan legal system.”

Client quoted by Chambers and Partners

Profile

Rodolfo Salazar, founding Partner of BLP in Guatemala, specializes in Dispute Resolution, Public Law, Administrative Procurement & Economic Regulation, Energy & Infrastructure, and Environmental, Health & Occupational Safety. With over 20 years of experience, he has excelled in complex litigation in both the public and private sectors, including international arbitrations, highlighted by his participation as Judicial Director of the State for the Defense of Guatemala in Arbitration of the ICSID ARB 09/05 promoted by Iberdrola Energía, and ARB 10/23 promoted by Teco Holdings. He has been recognized for his advisory role in governmental affairs, public-private partnerships, tenders, and energy and infrastructure projects. He joined BLP in 2016 after its founding in Guatemala.

  • Dispute Resolution

  • Environment, Health and Safety
  • Energy & Infrastructure
  • Public Law, Public Procurement & Regulation

  • Recognized in

    Dispute Resolution

    by

    Chambers and Partners.

  • Recognized as a Leading Lawyer by Who’s Who Legal.
  • Recognized as a Leading Lawyer by IFLR 1000.
  • Recognized as a Leading Individuals by The Legal 500.

Education 

  • Diploma in Regional Electricity Market and Law in Energy, Energy & Infrastructure Analysis Center, Guatemala, 2015

  • Bachelor in Legal and Social Sciences, Lawyer and Notary, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala, 1993
  • Program in Legal Aspects of International Business, INCAE Business School and the School of Law of the University of Georgetown, Costa Rica, 2005
  • Master’s degree in Commercial Law and Competitiveness, Universidad de San Carlos, Guatemala, 2008
  • Diploma in Economic Regulation of Public Services, Public and Regulatory Law, Investment Strategies Consulting Group, Guatemala, 2010
  • Diploma in Administrative and Public Law, Universidad de San Carlos, Guatemala, 2013
  • Specialization in Public-Private Partnerships for the Development of Infrastructure and Services, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico, 2014

Languages  

  • Spanish  
  • English  

  • International Bar Association (IBA):

    Member

  • Center for the Defense of the Constitution of Guatemala (CEDECON)
  • Association of Lawyers and Notaries of Guatemala (CANG)
  • Spanish and Ibero-American Arbitration Club: Member

  • Hidroeléctrica Río Hondo, S.A. BLP advised on the generation project of up to 32 MW, its permitting aspects, relations with the communities, contractual relations with INDE derived from the usufruct contract for the infrastructure of Hydroelectric Río Hondo I, land regularization, and authorizations with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, CONAP, and the Ministry of Energy and Mines.

  • Merger of Enel Americas and Grupo Energía Bogotá. BLP performed due diligence in favor of Grupo de Energía de Bogota, S.A. for the take-over merger of ENEL GREEN POWER, S.A. and its Generation infrastructure in Guatemala.
  • Installation of a hydrogen energy generation plant. Advised EVORTEX on the permits from MARN, MEM, and the Municipality necessary to install a hydrogen energy generation plant.
  • Assessment of financing for Banco Santander. Advised Banco Santander on evaluating financing of more than $120 million for the construction of lots A, B, and E of the Plan of Expansion of National Transport 2014 awarded to FERSA.
  • Installation of a 62 MW generation plant. Advised EOS Energy on the installation project in Guatemala of a 62 MW generation plant for incineration of solid waste (waste- to-energy), and regarding its relationship with Municipalities, disposal of solid waste, and regulatory permits.
  • Iberdrola vs. Guatemala, investment arbitration. BLP advised and assisted as Judicial Mandatory of the State of Guatemala in ICSID on the defense against the demands in Investment Arbitration promoted by IBERDROLA and TECO against Guatemala for the increase in distribution rates of the Electric Company of Guatemala.
  • Negotiations in favor of SIEMENS. BLP advised SIEMENS on the negotiations to regularize the contract for the supply of the SCADA system to INDE for reasons of force majeure.
  • CRIE in the defense of amparos. BLP advised CRIE in the defense of amparos brought against it due to regulatory sanctions promoted by sanctioned Generating Agents in Guatemala.
  • Due Diligence on TRECSA and its Electric Power Transportation Infrastructure. BLP performed due diligence for IDB on TRECSA’s energy transportation infrastructure for the granting of financing.
  • Start of Operations of Starlink in Guatemala. Advised Starlink on obtaining its operating licenses to commence operations in Guatemala.
  • Dispute Resolution for Terminal de Granos del Pacífico, S.A. (TERPAC) with Empresa Portuaria Quetzal. Advised TERPAC in successfully resolving the unilateral imposition by Empresa Portuaria Quetzal of rent and fee increases in leases and usufructs.