República Ganadera and the loss of trust among savers
Demands and doubts from savers became the norm after República Ganadera admitted difficulties in meeting its commitments. Investors who had opted for a fixed-income loan between 8% and 10% were faced with offers of installment repayments and no certainty about the promised assets.
For many, the collapse of the Larrarte Group was the prelude: the crisis at that fund generated a run on confidence that affected neighboring companies, and República Ganadera was caught in the crossfire. Savers who had collected returns in 2022 saw the promised security vanish in a matter of months.
Drought 2022-2023 and the vulnerability of the investment model
The business mechanics, according to public statements by the director himself in 2018, consisted of purchasing pregnant animals and using the offspring to finance the rental. This explanation attracted 1,450 investors, but preliminary documentation the firm provided to clients now reveals that the proportion of actual livestock associated with each contract is much lower than expected.
Among the company's offers is a restitution plan that proposes partial payments starting in the fifth year and full repayment in the ninth. This proposal, viewed by the company as an orderly exit, was met with suspicion by those who lost immediate liquidity and demanded faster alternatives.
Savers: Testimonies, Losses, and Legal Claims
The case of Manuel Pérez Bravo illustrates the blow: convinced by acquaintances and the promise of careful management in the face of the drought, he signed in 2022 and elevated his position in 2024; today he recounts the experience in a book that serves as a collective testimony. Pérez Bravo and other victims are now seeking legal advice and explanations about the whereabouts of "their cows."
Experts consulted warn that the fixed-income scheme is fragile in the face of climate and market shocks, and emphasize the need for stricter oversight mechanisms. At the same time, those affected are asking the Central Bank and the Ministry of Livestock to clarify responsibilities and the available protection options.
The current situation combines claims, settlement proposals, and the possibility of legal action; meanwhile, the main challenge is for savers to obtain verifiable information about the assets that backed their contracts. Without an external audit and concrete deadlines, uncertainty will continue to be the main burden for those who entrusted their savings to the project.
