Economist Leslie Adames By THE STAR STAFF The financial health of Puerto Rican consumers worsened in 2025, according to a new report released this week by Estudios Técnicos Inc. The firm’s Consumer Financial Fragility Index rose over the year, reflecting increases in loan delinquencies, personal bankruptcies, and unemployment across the island. Economist Leslie Adames noted in a written statement that the index climbed from 0.33 in the first quarter to 0.46 in the fourth quar

Josué Colón Ortiz, Puerto Rico’s energy czar and executive director of the Public-Private Partnerships Authority By THE STAR STAFF Josué Colón Ortiz, Puerto Rico’s energy czar and executive director of the Public-Private Partnerships Authority, has announced the arrival of the first shipment of state-of-the-art power generation units. The new units, capable of operating on both natural gas and diesel, are expected to add some 150 megawatts to the island’s electricity supply.

By THE STAR STAFF Arecibo Mayor Carlos R. Ramírez Irizarry announced that, as planned, the bid for the coastal erosion mitigation project in the area of the Radioville urbanization and the Barrio Obrero sector has been awarded. The notice was published on Dec. 15, 2025 with a deadline for submitting proposals of Jan. 20 and the official award date of Feb. 20. “As is customary in these processes, the names of the three (3) participating bidders and their cost proposals were re

Airbnb generated a record $1.87 billion in economic impact for Puerto Rico in 2025, marking a 10% increase from the previous year, as the island experienced unprecedented tourism growth. (Facebook via View from YOUR window (the ORIGINAL Group!) By THE STAR STAFF Airbnb generated a record $1.87 billion in economic impact for Puerto Rico in 2025, marking a 10% increase from the previous year, as the island experienced unprecedented tourism growth. The amount represents Airbnb’s

Puerto Rico Housing Secretary Ciary Pérez Peña Sworn statement shows Pérez Peña owned vehicle inspection center in Yabucoa until end of last year By THE STAR STAFF Senate Ethics Committee Chairman Juan Oscar Morales Rodríguez on Wednesday said Housing Secretary Ciary Pérez Peña has much to explain. Morales’ comments followed a sworn statement revealing that Pérez Peña owned the Yabucoa Auto Service vehicle inspection center until Dec. 4, 2025. On that date, she transferred ow

The U.S. Coast Guard indicated that the refloating of the fuel barge Defiant occurred at about 2:22 a.m., shortly before high tide, after three tugboats were positioned and the pressurization of the vessel’s cargo tanks, empty spaces, and compartments was completed. By THE STAR STAFF The U.S. Coast Guard reported Wednesday that the barge Defiant was successfully refloated and removed from the shore near Castillo San Felipe del Morro and towed to Pier 16 in San Juan Bay. “We w

Robert Mujica, executive director of the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico By THE STAR STAFF Discussions on tax reform must take place alongside budget talks as the island moves from crisis management to strategic planning, Robert Mujica, executive director of the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico, said Wednesday. “Conversations need to happen now. We are no longer in a crisis budget; we are in strategic planning,” Mujica told rep

By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico’s Public-Private Partnerships Authority (P3A) has released a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the development of the 600-megawatt (MW) Costa Sur power generation project. Key dates for the Costa Sur RFQ are as follows: the deadline to submit requests for clarification (RFCs) is March 6, with responses to RFCs issued on March 12. Statements of qualifications and project descriptions are due by March 17. Qualified respondents are expected to be