On a clear day over the Sea of Cortez, Espíritu Santo looks untouchable. Photograph: Bill Gorum/AlamyThe allure of Espíritu Santo for developers in the 90s was obvious, with its secluded, uninhabited beaches and privileged location near the Baja California peninsula. We believed that if Espíritu Santo fell, others would fall too Exequiel Ezcurra, ecologistAmong them was the billionaire Manuel Arango. Photograph: Leon Werdinger/Alamy“I never imagined we could buy an island,” Arango says. Arango, who has carefully documented the island’s legal protections, hopes that future generations will defend it if they are ever challenged.

Source: The Guardian December 30, 2025 20:20 UTC