Uncertainty Grows Over Construction of San Rafael Hotel Casino
Uruguay.- 18 August 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The San Rafael hotel casino project in Punta del Este is facing renewed uncertainty as a commercial dispute develops between Grupo Cipriani and construction company Criba.
The situation has already affected employment, with almost 250 workers placed on unemployment insurance, while there is still no agreement on how construction will continue.
Dispute Between Cipriani and Criba
The disagreement between the two companies became public during a meeting convened by Uruguay’s Ministry of Labour and Social Security and attended by representatives of Cipriani, Criba and construction union Sunca.
During the meeting, Criba warned that it was highly likely to continue placing employees on unemployment insurance because the future execution of the project remains unresolved.
Criba Raises Funding Concerns
The construction company said it had been providing financial resources to maintain work on the tower for the past five months.
It also claimed that for the past three months it had been financing construction of the hotel casino.
According to Criba, it no longer has sufficient resources to continue covering these costs.
Cipriani Denies Outstanding Debt
Grupo Cipriani’s legal representatives rejected Criba’s account and told the Ministry of Labour that the business group does not owe money to the construction company.
Cipriani instead linked the dispute to alleged failures to meet certain stages of the construction programme.
The group reportedly said that Criba accumulated delays in scheduled work during December 2025 and January 2026, resulting in contractual financial penalties.
Criba Rejects Claims of Non-Compliance
Criba denied that the delays were caused by failures on its part.
The company argued that contractual modifications, additional work and changes to its original obligations were introduced during execution of the project.
Disagreement over these issues is now at the centre of the commercial conflict between the two companies.
Almost 250 Workers Affected
The dispute is already having a direct impact on workers assigned to the project.
Almost 250 employees have been placed on unemployment insurance, including additional workers affected at the beginning of the second week of August.
Further cases have not been ruled out if construction remains stalled.
Statements
Michael Pistone, Secretary General of Sunca in Maldonado, said the commercial dispute between Cipriani and Criba is having a direct negative impact on workers.
He noted that workforce reductions had already been occurring since last year and criticised the fact that employees have effectively become caught between the two companies.
Pistone also stressed that significant work remains to be completed at the site, leaving the union concerned about the employment outlook for those involved.
Opening Delayed Until 2027
The dispute comes after Cipriani confirmed that the San Rafael hotel casino will no longer open in December 2026 as originally planned.
Accumulated construction delays have pushed the opening into the 2027-2028 season.
The postponement adds further pressure to one of the most significant tourism and gaming developments currently under construction in Punta del Este.
Staff Training Continues
Despite the delays, Cipriani has been training more than 300 young people through the Cipriani Academy since February.
The programme provides specialist preparation for future hospitality and gastronomy positions.
Next Steps or Impact
The project’s immediate future will depend on Grupo Cipriani and Criba resolving their economic and contractual differences.
Until an agreement is reached, further employment suspensions and additional delays remain possible.
The dispute adds uncertainty to the San Rafael timetable and increases scrutiny over the project’s ability to progress towards its revised opening during the 2027-2028 season.
Editó: @fonta
