The controversy surrounding Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico is taking an increasingly explosive turn. Following questions about the destination of the $8,7 million of public money committed to hosting the competition, Thomas Rivera Schatz, President of the Puerto Rican Senate, is attacking the government's priorities: while millions have been found for Miss Universe, the island of Culebra is still searching for the necessary resources to guarantee its medical services.
The contrast is all the more shocking given that Miss Universe remains linked to Raúl Rocha Cantú , co-owner of the pageant and a fugitive wanted by Mexican authorities, and that bank statements published by Nawat Itsaragrisil revealed over $3,27 million in cash outflows following payments from Puerto Rico. This situation had already prompted Puerto Rican senators to demand explanations regarding the $8,7 million spent on Miss Universe.
$8,7 million spent on Miss Universe, while $200.000 is needed for healthcare
Thomas Rivera Schatz is now targeting the health situation in Culebra. Residents, the mayor, city councilors, and several senators are demanding the continuation of medical services provided by the Sistema de Salud Menonita on the island.
The Senate president refuses to allow budgetary difficulties to justify weakening healthcare services and demands that the necessary resources be found: "$200,000 is not enough and the money must be found. Period."
Rivera Schatz criticizes Miss Universe by comparing the resources available to finance the competition with those still lacking to guarantee healthcare for residents: "The money for this competition appeared without any problem."
The Senate president contrasts the two issues: “Regarding the certainty of funding, payments, and public resources, let’s compare the funds allocated to the health of Culebra’s residents with the funds allocated to the Miss Universe pageant. The amount, the purpose, and the certainty regarding the use of public funds! The money for that pageant appeared without any problem. As for where the money is, there will surely be an explanation soon!”
The comparison directly targets the $8,7 million of public money committed around Miss Universe 2026. Several Puerto Rican political leaders now want to know precisely who the payments were made to, where they were going, and what controls were in place over how the money was used.
The statements published by Nawat reignite questions about the millions of Puerto Ricans
The controversy had already taken on a new dimension with the publication by Nawat Itsaragrisil of bank documents showing two payments identified as coming from the Puerto Rico Tourism Company: $1 million, then $2 million.
Following these entries, several transfers and payments appear. The published documents show $3,279,043.15 in outgoing funds. Among the transactions are a $300,000 transfer with Raúl Rocha listed as the beneficiary, as well as a $295,236.07 payment bearing his name and a reference to a mortgage repayment.
Nawat summarized his accusations in a few words: "The money disappeared." He then published the bank statements that supported his claims. The financial transactions revealed by Nawat and bearing Raúl Rocha's name are detailed here.
Raúl Rocha, fugitive and still co-owner of Miss Universe
The issue of Puerto Rican public funds is also inextricably linked to the situation of Raúl Rocha Cantú. The co-owner of Miss Universe is wanted by Mexican authorities, while remaining associated with the organization of the pageant, which is set to benefit from several million dollars invested by Puerto Rico.
His name also appears in several transactions listed in documents published by Nawat. Nawat had already accused Rocha of using funds linked to the organization for his own benefit and detailed several transfers. Specifically, Nawat had accused the fugitive Raúl Rocha of embezzling Miss Universe funds for his own gain.
"Medical services? They need to be evaluated first!"
Thomas Rivera Schatz also reflects on the contrast between the resources mobilized for Miss Universe and the uncertainties that persist for Culebra: " There is no certainty for Culebra, but for other subjects, there is sufficient funding, availability, speed, public support and enthusiasm!"
Then the President of the Senate directly contrasted the competition with medical needs: "The catwalk, very well, for fashion enthusiasts. Medical services? Well, that must first be evaluated! There are different priorities and different tastes! It's truly scandalous and unacceptable!"
The parallel is particularly harsh for the government: millions of dollars have been mobilized to host Miss Universe while the residents of Culebra are still waiting for guarantees on the funding of their medical services.
Rivera Schatz warns the government about 2028
Thomas Rivera Schatz also frames this issue in electoral terms. Puerto Rico will hold its next general elections in November 2028, and the Senate president is using vocabulary from beauty pageants to warn the executive branch: "In November 2028, there will be a 'competition,' not a beauty pageant, but a competition that will determine the 'health' of a government."
He also mentions the discontent surrounding the Culebra case and asks: "Are they going to wait until people have had enough too before addressing the problem? We come to government to serve, not to be models or seek popularity!"
Miss Universe becomes a political liability for the government
Jennifer González-Colón defended the millions spent on Miss Universe, highlighting the expected economic, tourism, and promotional benefits for Puerto Rico. But questions are now piling up around the pageant: $8,7 million of public money committed, senators demanding to know where the money is going, over $3,27 million in outflows appearing on statements published by Nawat, Raúl Rocha's name involved in several transactions, and a Miss Universe co-owner still at large.
Added to this is now the comparison made by the President of the Senate himself: the money intended for Miss Universe was able to be mobilized, while medical services in Culebra are still seeking financial guarantees.
With the Miss Universe pageant just weeks away, the Puerto Rican government must do more than simply defend the promised benefits. It must explain why $8,7 million of public funds have been committed to a competition still linked to fugitive Raúl Rocha, while at the same time, residents are still waiting for funding for their medical care.
