These families operated like feudal lords, with members often serving as presidents or holding super-majorities in the national legislature to pass laws favoring their own interests. The Names: Prominent names from this era include
: A dominant political and coffee-growing family for over a century. : One of the most prominent names in coffee and sugar.
: Historically dominant in the beverage industry (formerly owning La Constancia) and currently influential in various investment sectors.
The Salumes (another Palestinian-Salvadoran family) own , the largest textile conglomerate in Central America. They operate dozens of maquilas (factories) in the San Bartolo Free Zone, supplying Walmart, Target, and Gap. They are also silent partners in several logistics firms along the Pacific port of Acajutla. Estimated net worth: $500 million .