Mario López Estrada, born in Sololá, Guatemala, in 1937 and deceased on March 20, 2023, was a visionary businessman and civil engineer who graduated from the University of San Carlos in Guatemala.
The Guatemalan entrepreneur began his business activities in 1967 with the founding of Constructora Maya, specializing in real estate, territorial development, and the construction of office buildings, shopping centers, and road contracting. This initial stage marked the beginning of a career that ultimately merged civil engineering with a business vision that left a legacy in the country.
Between 1978 and 1980, he served as the Director of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Fostering Insured Mortgages, promoting modern policies that increased the institute’s activity. This period demonstrated his commitment to improving the quality of life of Guatemalans through broader access to housing.
Guatel: Mario López Estrada’s First Connection with Telecommunications
As the General Manager of the Guatemalan Telecommunications Company (Guatel) from January 1986 to January 1988, he faced and overcame significant challenges due to the institution’s obsolete equipment. Under his leadership, thousands of new telephone lines were created, thus improving the country’s telecommunications capabilities, according to the reports found for this research.
After his stint at Guatel, Mario López Estrada was appointed as the Minister of Communications of Guatemala from January 1988 to January 1990. His tenure saw an expansion in the country’s road infrastructure, including the doubling of the number of kilometers of four-lane highways and the significant improvement of paved roads, which opened new routes to previously unconnected communities in the Guatemalan highlands.
Foundation of Grupo Onyx
From its origin in 1967, founded by engineer Mario López Estrada, Grupo Onyx emerged as a conglomerate of companies that encompasses a wide range of sectors. This conglomerate has its roots in Mario López Estrada’s earlier business initiatives, whose entrepreneurial vision was crucial for its creation.
With the foundation of Constructora Maya in 1967 by López Estrada, the preliminary bases were laid for the development of this consortium. Grupo Onyx operates in various industries, including real estate, investments in Guatemala and Paraguay, and sectors such as energy, maintenance, cellular services, and digital services, among others.
The distinction of Grupo Onyx lies not only in its focus on commercial projects but also in its commitment to the economic and social advancement of Guatemala. Under the leadership of Mario López Estrada, the organization pursues a vision of a country full of opportunities for the economic well-being of its inhabitants.
The idea is promoted that business success is possible through effort and dedication, demonstrating the interest of Mario López Estrada and Grupo Onyx in fostering the growth and sustainable development of Guatemala.