By THE STAR STAFF A Puerto Rico business leader told international trade officials Tuesday that closer economic ties across the greater Caribbean could strengthen regional stability and expand opportunities for small and midsize businesses. Dr. Ramón C. Barquín III, president of the Puerto Rico United Retailers Association (CUD by its acronym in Spanish) and a former president of the Organization of Trade in the Americas (OCTA), delivered a keynote address to the World Trade

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón honored Puerto Rican jockeys José Luis Ortiz and Irad Ortiz on Tuesday with the Governor’s Medal, following their first- and second-place finishes in the 2026 Kentucky Derby on May 2. PR Gov’t to allocate $1 million for Caribbean Classic in Puerto Rico By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón honored Puerto Rican jockeys José Luis Ortiz and Irad Ortiz on Tuesday with the Governor’s Medal, following their first- and second-place finishes in

By THE STAR STAFF The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico has approved, with conditions, a set of Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) contracts that would add new battery storage capacity tied to existing renewable assets and support near-term reliability measures as the island faces tight generation margins. In letters dated May 8, the oversight board’s general counsel, Jaime A. El Koury, notified PREPA that the board’s determinations were issue

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaks in Brooklyn, N.Y. on April 14, 2026. The federal Energy Department has renewed two emergency orders aimed at shoring up Puerto Rico’s electrical system ahead of higher summer demand and the 2026 hurricane season. (Dave Sanders/The New York Times) By THE STAR STAFF The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Monday renewed two emergency orders aimed at shoring up Puerto Rico’s electrical system ahead of higher summer demand and the 2026 hur

By THE STAR STAFF A Popular Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker has asked the island Justice Department to investigate former Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions (OCIF by its acronym in Spanish) commissioner Natalia Zequeira and current commissioner Mónica Rodríguez Villa, alleging retaliation, undue influence and possible abuse of power tied to enforcement actions against a private company. OCIF told the STAR it would respond to the allegations, but no statement

Manuel Reyes, executive vice president of the Food Marketing, Industry and Distribution Chamber By THE STAR STAFF Several business organizations on Monday insisted on the elimination of Puerto Rico’s Minimum Wage Evaluation Commission. They argued that the commission, in its current form, is “seriously biased,” lacks adequate representation from elected officials and employers, and operates with a reduced quorum. The groups also questioned the legitimacy of labor representati

By THE STAR STAFF In a ceremony held Monday at the Puerto Rico Supreme Court, Puerto Rico Bar Association President Ramón Rosario Cortés officiated the swearing-in of the new boards of directors of the student chapters at the island’s three main law schools. Participating in the ceremony was Supreme Court Associate Justice Raúl Arnaldo Candelario López, who administered the oath of office to emerging leaders from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), Pontifical Catholic Univer

Justice Secretary Lourdes Gómez Torres, right, said she will evaluate new documents and interview individuals to determine whether to reopen an investigation into Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes. By THE STAR STAFF Justice Secretary Lourdes Gómez Torres stated on Monday that she will evaluate new documents and interview individuals to determine whether to reopen the investigation regarding Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes. The justice secretary’s remarks followed a

Brenda Mariel Cintrón Rodríguez became the first student in the Doctoral Program in School Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus to successfully defend her dissertation -- an achievement that goes beyond academics and stands as a testament to resilience. By THE STAR STAFF With a story defined by perseverance and personal transformation, Brenda Mariel Cintrón Rodríguez became the first student in the Doctoral Program in School Psychology at the Universit

A stretch of the public beach in Boquerón, Cabo Rojo. The developer behind the proposed Esencia luxury tourism and residential megaproject in the coastal town said the development is designed to address poverty, inequality and access to essential services in the southwestern region, citing job creation and plans for independent water and renewable-energy systems. (discoverpuertorico.com) Developer denies Cabo Rojo project will strain resources By THE STAR STAFF Roberto Ruiz V