Cosette Fuentes

• Representation of multinational clients in tax and customs audits at both administrative and judicial levels, successfully revoking or reducing tax assessments related to the deductibility of expenses in related-party transactions, achieving significant savings.
• Advising foreign companies in the consumer industry on the establishment of subsidiaries or branches in El Salvador, including the processing of operational permits and institutional registrations required for optimal business development.
• Comprehensive assistance in designing tax optimization strategies for consumer companies seeking operational efficiency in regional structures, resulting in reduced tax impact.
• Legal and labor due diligence support for the acquisition of Salvadoran companies in the consumer goods, insurance, and energy sectors, among others.
• Legal assistance in a joint venture process for consumer goods companies in the milling sector.
• Comprehensive advisory services in the removal of fraudulent administration for a pharmaceutical company.
• Legal guidance on reviewing and regularizing family estate structures in accordance with applicable legislation for one of El Salvador’s leading family groups.
• Development of legal and corporate strategies, with a strong track record in risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Legal advisory on international trade and customs matters.
• Experience coordinating regional projects, ensuring compliance with international standards, and managing high-profile corporate clients.
• Legal advisory in corporate and insurance matters, ensuring legal security and providing strategic support to national and international clients.
• Experience in corporate, labor, tax, and transactional advisory, providing comprehensive counsel in mergers, acquisitions, and corporate structuring processes.
• Development and support of public procurement, infrastructure, and public–private partnership projects.

*This experience has been prior to joining GarciaBodan.

• Lecturer in masterclass on prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing in emerging markets, 2025.
• Speaker on topics related to cybersecurity strategies and the evolution of the technological and business environment, AmCham El Salvador, 2025.
• Co-author of the article ” Business Resilience: A Strategic Mindset” – AmCham El Salvador Business Magazine, 2025.
• Speaker on topics related to key employer obligations in El Salvador, AmCham El Salvador, 2024.
• Author of the article “Risk-Based Approach (RBA) and its application in El Salvador” – Derecho y Negocios Magazine, 2024.
• Author of the article “Tax file as a tool to support the deductibility of a cost or expense in tax litigation processes” – British Chamber of Commerce of El Salvador, 2024.

• Regional Diploma in Customs “International Trade” – SIECA, University of Chile, and Universidad Da Vinci, 2021.
• Diploma in Litigation Strategies in Oral Proceedings, 2018.
• Course in Administrative Procedural Law “The New Administrative Litigation Process: Expectations and Challenges,” 2018.
• AML & TF International Law Standards “Prevention of Money Laundering” – United States InterAmerican Community Affairs, 2016.
• Diploma in Foreign Trade “International Commerce” – Institute of Foreign Trade and Logistics, 2015
• Diploma in Technical Customs Operations “International Commerce” – Universidad Dr. José Matías Delgado, 2013.
• Admitted to practice as Attorney since 2008 and as Notary Public since 2012.
• Graduated in Law – Escuela Superior de Economía y Negocios (ESEN), 2007.

Languages

• Spanish
• English