Martín Varsavsky develops Wamani billionaire refuge in Mendoza

Spanish-Argentine businessman Martín Varsavsky is developing Wamani, a 32,000-hectare private estate in the San Carlos department of Mendoza, Argentina, designed as a self-sufficient refuge for billionaires. The property, located in the Andes foothills, features an airstrip, solar energy, satellite communications, and disconnected servers to provide security against potential global nuclear war or ecological collapse.

The project has drawn significant local scrutiny regarding environmental and resource management. The Asamblea Popular por el Agua has raised concerns that the estate is situated at the headwaters of the Hondo and La Faja streams, which feed the Diamante River basin. The organization warns that any diversion or retention of water within the property could negatively impact the productive oasis of San Rafael downstream. While local organizations have questioned the use of these water resources, official provincial hydrological assessments regarding illegal water extraction have not yet been made public.