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Press Releases

BUSTAMANTE FABARA advises Grupo Nutresa on agreement to acquire 100% of La Universal

Quito, Ecuador – June 24, 2026 – BUSTAMANTE FABARA is pleased to announce its role as Ecuadorian legal counsel to Grupo Nutresa S.A. in connection with the signing of an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Universal Sweet Industries S.A., commercially known as La Universal, one of Ecuador’s most iconic chocolate and confectionery companies. The transaction represents a significant step in Grupo Nutresa’s regional growth strategy and is expected to strengthen its presence in Ecuador’s food, chocolate and confectionery market through the addition of a longstanding local brand portfolio deeply embedded in Ecuadorian consumer culture. BUSTAMANTE FABARA advised Grupo Nutresa on this complex cross-border M&A matter, conducting a comprehensive legal due diligence of Universal Sweet Industries S.A. across corporate, regulatory, contractual, labour, intellectual property, real estate and compliance matters. The firm also advised on the structuring, negotiation and signing of the Share Purchase Agreement and related transaction documents, supporting the allocation of key risks and the development of the agreed transaction framework. The proposed transaction remains subject to the required regulatory approvals before Ecuador’s competition authority. This matter reflects BUSTAMANTE FABARA’s ability to support leading regional companies in strategic investments involving significant Ecuadorian businesses, combining transactional, regulatory and competition law expertise to navigate complex cross-border operations. The BUSTAMANTE FABARA team is led by partners José Rafael Bustamante C. and Kirina González, and Senior Associate José Antonio Bustamante. About BUSTAMANTE FABARA BUSTAMANTE FABARA is one of Ecuador’s leading full-service law firms, with extensive experience advising domestic and international clients on complex corporate, M&A, competition, regulatory and transactional matters. The firm supports companies, investors and business groups through every stage of strategic transactions, from due diligence and structuring to negotiation, execution and regulatory authorization. About Grupo Nutresa Grupo Nutresa is one of Latin America’s leading food companies, with a diversified portfolio across categories including chocolates, biscuits, coffee, ice cream, processed meats and culinary products. Through its regional platform, Grupo Nutresa serves consumers across Latin America and other international markets, combining established brands, broad distribution capabilities and a long-term growth strategy. About La Universal Universal Sweet Industries S.A., commercially known as La Universal, is one of Ecuador’s most established chocolate and confectionery companies. Founded in 1889, the company has built a portfolio of brands that are widely recognized in Ecuadorian consumer culture, including Manicho, Cocoa Universal, Huevitos, Menta Glacial and Leche y Miel. Its operations include the production and commercialization of chocolate, cocoa-based products and confectionery items in Ecuador. Press contact María José Sotomayor Hidalgo Marketing and Communications Director BUSTAMANTE FABARA Email: [email protected] Phone: +593 2 256 2680
Bustamante Fabara - June 26 2026
Press Releases

BUSTAMANTE FABARA advises family ownership group of Productos Minerva in transaction to consolidate full ownership of the company

Quito, Ecuador – June 10, 2026 – BUSTAMANTE FABARA is pleased to announce its role as legal counsel to one of the family ownership groups of Productos Minerva, a well-known Ecuadorian coffee company, in connection with a transaction that enabled the group to consolidate full ownership of the company. The transaction represents an important milestone for the family-owned business, as it not only involved the consolidation of ownership, but also required a broader strategic approach aimed at reorganizing family assets, strengthening business continuity and supporting the company’s long-term growth. BUSTAMANTE FABARA advised the client on the comprehensive structuring of the transaction, including the design of the acquisition, the negotiation of the relevant transaction documents, the analysis of the transaction’s financial viability and the closing of the deal. In addition to the M&A component, the firm also advised on the restructuring of the family’s patrimony through the incorporation of corporate and estate planning vehicles designed to organize ownership, improve governance, support decision-making and promote the continuity of the business across generations. This matter highlights BUSTAMANTE FABARA’s ability to combine transactional expertise with a deep understanding of the dynamics of family-owned companies, particularly in matters where business, patrimonial and generational considerations are closely connected. The BUSTAMANTE FABARA team was led by partner Juan Felipe Bustamante, together with director Pedro Gómez de la Torre, with the support of senior associate Carolina Echeverría and associates Melina Andrade and Jerónimo Villagómez. About BUSTAMANTE FABARA BUSTAMANTE FABARA is one of Ecuador’s leading law firms, with extensive experience advising companies, families and business groups on complex corporate, transactional and patrimonial matters. Through its M&A and Private Clients capabilities, the firm acts as a strategic partner for family-owned businesses, supporting clients in acquisitions, corporate structuring, asset reorganization, governance and business continuity matters. About Productos Minerva Productos Minerva is a well-known Ecuadorian coffee company with a longstanding presence in the local market. The company has built a recognized brand in Ecuador’s coffee industry, providing products that are part of the daily consumption habits of Ecuadorian households. As a family-owned business, Productos Minerva represents the importance of local companies that combine tradition, productive capacity and long-term business vision within Ecuador’s consumer goods sector. Press contact: María José Sotomayor Hidalgo Director of Marketing and Communications BUSTAMANTE FABARA Email: [email protected] Phone: 0989728788
Bustamante Fabara - June 16 2026
Press Releases

BUSTAMANTE FABARA ANNOUNCES THE PROMOTION OF SOFÍA GORDILLO TO DIRECTOR

BUSTAMANTE FABARA is pleased to announce the promotion of Sofía Gordillo to Director. This appointment recognizes her solid professional trajectory, her technical expertise and the consistent contribution she has made to the Firm and to the service provided to its clients. This promotion reflects the Firm’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its Tax practice and to continue developing its internal talent, in line with its long-term vision.   About Sofía Gordillo Sofía has over a decade of experience in tax law, eight years of which she has developed at BUSTAMANTE FABARA, within the Firm’s Tax department, contributing to its continued growth. She advises clients from various sectors on local and international tax planning and has extensive experience in the defense of taxpayers in administrative and tax litigation proceedings, including complex tax assessment processes. She is co-author of the “Manual de Derecho Tributario Formal” and has been recognized since 2024 as an “Associate to Watch in Tax” by Chambers & Partners, as a “Leading Associate in Tax” by Legal 500, and as a “Notable Practitioner in Corporate General Tax” by ITR World Tax. The promotion of Sofía to Director reflects BUSTAMANTE FABARA’s commitment to fostering professional growth and strengthening its leadership for the future.   About BUSTAMANTE FABARA BUSTAMANTE FABARA has established itself as a benchmark and leader in the provision of legal services in Ecuador and Latin America. Our team, consisting of more than 125 multidisciplinary lawyers and over 190 collaborators, provides legal solutions across more than 25 practice areas to local and international clients.   For more information please contact: María José Sotomayor Director of Marketing and Communication BUSTAMANTE FABARA [email protected]
Bustamante Fabara - June 2 2026
Press Releases

BUSTAMANTE FABARA ANNOUNCES THE PROMOTION OF VALENTINA MORILLO, FRANCISCO DÁVILA, GINO IVICH, AND JUAN BERNARDO GUARDERAS TO DIRECTORS

BUSTAMANTE FABARA is pleased to announce the promotion of Valentina Morillo, Francisco Dávila, Gino Ivich, and Juan Bernardo Guarderas to Directors. Their promotion recognizes their strong professional track records, their continued contribution to the Firm’s development, and the key role they play in delivering high-quality legal services to our clients. This appointment is part of the Firm’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its leadership structure and to foster the growth of its professionals, in line with its long-term vision. About Valentina Morillo Valentina has distinguished herself in the transactional field, participating in a number of highly relevant, complex and sophisticated M&A transactions. Her practice combines transactional work with comprehensive corporate advisory, providing strategic support to clients in their operations. Her performance has established her as a key professional within the M&A and Corporate teams. About Francisco Dávila Francisco focuses his practice on Dispute Resolution, representing and advising national and international clients in contentious-administrative, civil and arbitration proceedings. Since joining BUSTAMANTE FABARA in 2015, he has developed solid experience in complex disputes, particularly in public procurement and civil liability matters. In addition to his professional practice, he has served as a professor at Universidad de los Hemisferios and as an arbitration secretary at the Arbitration and Mediation Center of the Quito Chamber of Commerce. About Gino Ivich Gino has over 10 years of professional experience as part of BUSTAMANTE FABARA’s M&A and Corporate team, focusing on business advisory and the structuring of investments and complex transactions. He has advised buyers and sellers across various strategic sectors, participating in some of the most relevant and landmark transactions in the Ecuadorian market. His experience includes the drafting and review of complex agreements, as well as involvement in due diligence processes, negotiation and closing of transactions across multiple industries. About Juan Bernardo Guarderas Juan Bernardo focuses his practice on Banking & Finance, Capital Markets and Corporate Law, advising multilateral and bilateral institutions, investors and companies on complex transactions. Since joining the Firm in 2022, he has participated in some of the most sophisticated financial transactions in Ecuador, including pioneering green, thematic and blue bond issuances. His experience also includes cross-border transactions, syndicated and bilateral loans, as well as corporate structuring. The promotion of Valentina, Francisco, Gino, and Juan Bernardo reflects BUSTAMANTE FABARA’s commitment to developing talent from within and to building a strong and dynamic leadership for the future. About BUSTAMANTE FABARA BUSTAMANTE FABARA has established itself as a benchmark and leader in the provision of legal services in Ecuador and Latin America. Our team, consisting of more than 125 multidisciplinary lawyers and over 190 collaborators, provides legal solutions across more than 25 practice areas to local and international clients. For more information please contact: María José Sotomayor Director of Marketing and Communication BUSTAMANTE FABARA [email protected]
Bustamante Fabara - May 21 2026