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Save Exuma Alliance (SEA) calls on government to explain approvals for developer with track record of earlier Exuma failure  

Tue, Apr 7th 2026, 10:06 AM
Environment

The Save Exuma Alliance (SEA) is calling on the government to explain why it has granted any approvals at all to the Miami-based investment firm Yntegra and its principle Felipe MacLean for a highly controversial project in the Exumas when MacLean’s only record in The Bahamas is flawed at best, and, at worst, one of failure.

SEA, the coalition protesting the size, density and dredging plans of a proposed Rosewood resort on Sampson Cay that would be five times the size of the Baha Mar Convention Center questioned government’s actions after published media reports highlighted Mr MacLean’s failure to meet deadlines or promises on nearby Cave Cay nearly three years ago when he got the go-ahead for what was supposed to be a $550 million resort project.  

“Thanks to published reports, the public is now aware of what those of us in Exuma knew all along – the same man who promised “world class” development on Cave Cay and failed to deliver a single job is now asking us to believe that he should be allowed to dredge and destroy the waters, coral reefs, economy and culture of the central Exumas,” stated SEA.

“We always suspected that Yntegra’s promises about Cave Cay were nothing more than overstated hype which would end in unmet commitments and a failure to execute. Now we have confirmation.”

In recent days, media reports have emerged that show MacLean is no longer meaningfully involved in Cave Cay, now being developed by luxury brand Bvlgari, though he has claimed a leading role in statements. In September 2025, he is quoted in a news report as saying: “We’re bringing two out of the five best brands in the world”, referring to Rosewood and Bvlgari.

However, The Tribune reported the new developer at Cave Cay, Emile Haddad, as saying: “I think it would be very accurate to say that Yntegra is not involved at all in any management of this project.”

Haddad added that Bvlgari have since scaled back the size of the Cave Cay project by two-thirds from what Yntegra initially proposed, saying: “It was too dense… too dense… The density of this project is cut down tremendously… The project is going to be a third of the density that was existing before.”

“Felipe MacLean has no track record of any development, let alone one of the scale and size of the $200 million Yntegra Rosewood project at Sampson Cay, and he has absolutely no record of dealing with the environmental concerns that have been raised,” said SEA in a statement released following the publication of stories in The Tribune about MacLean’s past performance record.

The story went on to reveal that a board member serving alongside MacLean was convicted of spying on the U.S. for Cuba for 40 years. He is currently serving a prison sentence in the United States.

“Investors have pulled funding from MacLean in the past, and this is not the first time the facts have been brought to light about the Board Director who was jailed for spying for Cuba.

It is imperative that the government explains why Crown Land has been leased to this Miami-based firm for such a major project, over the repeated objections of Bahamians,” said SEA.

“One of the points our members have made over and over is that the planned project by Yntegra is too big for the location and that it should be more in keeping with the scale of developments elsewhere in the Exumas.

“We note that the new developer at Cave Cay has a significant track record and - unlike the Yntegra developer - recognised the need to significantly downsize that project because it was too dense for the location. By making it more appropriate for the island in scope and style, it is enjoying a greater level of success, combining luxury and privacy with the beauty of the Exuma waters instead of overwhelming the surroundings. It is not too late to do the same at Sampson Cay.”

SEA is calling on the government to explain the reasoning behind backing a project for a Miami-based developer with little expertise in his past over the concerns of local Exumians, who have expressed reservations about the project’s density and the impact it will have on the area, including environmental concerns for the North Bay.

While it is impossible to know what or how many approvals have been granted to Yntegra so far, as dealings between the developer and the government appear to have been carried out in secrecy, it is known that a Certificate of Environmental Clearance was granted. However, this is being challenged in court by concerned neighbours who say the CEC was granted without proper public consultation.

Project opponents have also pointed out how easy it would be to protect the world-famous swim and snorkel area by moving commercial deliveries and docks to the south side of the island.

SEA is also urging Exumians to contact those who are seeking to be their representatives in the next Parliament to write letters to newspaper editors and to demand to know why the public is being ignored in favour of a Miamian without a track record of development.

“We urge people to follow us on social media, and to sign our petition calling for a halt of approvals to the project, available at www.saveexumaalliance.org. Do not let your voice go unheard,” said the alliance of individuals, hospitality businesses, dive and tour operators.

SEA is a coalition of Central Exuma business owners, tour operators and residents. SEA is urging individuals concerned about the environmental impact of dredging connected to Yntegra’s Rosewood Exuma project to visit www.saveexumaalliance.org for more information. A petition calling for a halt to approvals is also available on the site, with over 7,600 signatures collected to date.

The Save Exuma Alliance (SEA) is calling on the government to explain why it has granted any approvals at all to the Miami-based investment firm Yntegra and its principle Felipe MacLean for a highly controversial project in the Exumas when MacLean’s only record in The Bahamas is flawed at best, and, at worst, one of failure.
SEA, the coalition protesting the size, density and dredging plans of a proposed Rosewood resort on Sampson Cay that would be five times the size of the Baha Mar Convention Center questioned government’s actions after published media reports highlighted Mr MacLean’s failure to meet deadlines or promises on nearby Cave Cay nearly three years ago when he got the go-ahead for what was supposed to be a $550 million resort project.  
“Thanks to published reports, the public is now aware of what those of us in Exuma knew all along – the same man who promised “world class” development on Cave Cay and failed to deliver a single job is now asking us to believe that he should be allowed to dredge and destroy the waters, coral reefs, economy and culture of the central Exumas,” stated SEA.
“We always suspected that Yntegra’s promises about Cave Cay were nothing more than overstated hype which would end in unmet commitments and a failure to execute. Now we have confirmation.”
In recent days, media reports have emerged that show MacLean is no longer meaningfully involved in Cave Cay, now being developed by luxury brand Bvlgari, though he has claimed a leading role in statements. In September 2025, he is quoted in a news report as saying: “We’re bringing two out of the five best brands in the world”, referring to Rosewood and Bvlgari.
However, The Tribune reported the new developer at Cave Cay, Emile Haddad, as saying: “I think it would be very accurate to say that Yntegra is not involved at all in any management of this project.”
Haddad added that Bvlgari have since scaled back the size of the Cave Cay project by two-thirds from what Yntegra initially proposed, saying: “It was too dense… too dense… The density of this project is cut down tremendously… The project is going to be a third of the density that was existing before.”
“Felipe MacLean has no track record of any development, let alone one of the scale and size of the $200 million Yntegra Rosewood project at Sampson Cay, and he has absolutely no record of dealing with the environmental concerns that have been raised,” said SEA in a statement released following the publication of stories in The Tribune about MacLean’s past performance record.
The story went on to reveal that a board member serving alongside MacLean was convicted of spying on the U.S. for Cuba for 40 years. He is currently serving a prison sentence in the United States.
“Investors have pulled funding from MacLean in the past, and this is not the first time the facts have been brought to light about the Board Director who was jailed for spying for Cuba.
It is imperative that the government explains why Crown Land has been leased to this Miami-based firm for such a major project, over the repeated objections of Bahamians,” said SEA.
“One of the points our members have made over and over is that the planned project by Yntegra is too big for the location and that it should be more in keeping with the scale of developments elsewhere in the Exumas.
“We note that the new developer at Cave Cay has a significant track record and - unlike the Yntegra developer - recognised the need to significantly downsize that project because it was too dense for the location. By making it more appropriate for the island in scope and style, it is enjoying a greater level of success, combining luxury and privacy with the beauty of the Exuma waters instead of overwhelming the surroundings. It is not too late to do the same at Sampson Cay.”
SEA is calling on the government to explain the reasoning behind backing a project for a Miami-based developer with little expertise in his past over the concerns of local Exumians, who have expressed reservations about the project’s density and the impact it will have on the area, including environmental concerns for the North Bay.
While it is impossible to know what or how many approvals have been granted to Yntegra so far, as dealings between the developer and the government appear to have been carried out in secrecy, it is known that a Certificate of Environmental Clearance was granted. However, this is being challenged in court by concerned neighbours who say the CEC was granted without proper public consultation.
Project opponents have also pointed out how easy it would be to protect the world-famous swim and snorkel area by moving commercial deliveries and docks to the south side of the island.
SEA is also urging Exumians to contact those who are seeking to be their representatives in the next Parliament to write letters to newspaper editors and to demand to know why the public is being ignored in favour of a Miamian without a track record of development.
“We urge people to follow us on social media, and to sign our petition calling for a halt of approvals to the project, available at www.saveexumaalliance.org. Do not let your voice go unheard,” said the alliance of individuals, hospitality businesses, dive and tour operators.
SEA is a coalition of Central Exuma business owners, tour operators and residents. SEA is urging individuals concerned about the environmental impact of dredging connected to Yntegra’s Rosewood Exuma project to visit www.saveexumaalliance.org for more information. A petition calling for a halt to approvals is also available on the site, with over 7,600 signatures collected to date.
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