W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, announced that Manuel Antonio “Nano El Viejo” Valentín Vega has been charged by federal authorities, along with five other individuals, with 23 counts related to organized crime, murder, drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms violations. By THE STAR STAFF Manuel Antonio “Nano El Viejo” Valentín Vega -- son of former Añasco Mayor Antonio Valentín Vega and owner of the business Centro Agrícola El Rancho

By THE STAR STAFF Last year the FBI registered more than 22,000 complaints nationwide related to fraudulent schemes using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. The use of AI technology to create “deepfakes” cost U.S. consumers, including those in Puerto Rico, over $893 million in losses, an increase of $362 million compared to 2024. Similarly, citizens receive 2.6 deepfake videos every day, a 400% increase compared to 2024. The preceding data was presented in a press rele

By THE STAR STAFF University of Puerto Rico (UPR) President Zayira Jordán Conde announced on Tuesday that the Mayagüez Court has reiterated that no group may impede access to the UPR-Mayagüez Campus (RUM by its acronym in Spanish). “Yesterday, attorneys for the Mayagüez Campus and the Central Administration once again presented the case before the Court, and the Honorable Judge reiterated that no group may impede the access of students, faculty, and employees to a public ins

Students from José González Ruiz School in Aguada appeared in the Puerto Rico House of Representatives on Tuesday to defend a proposal to establish a “Uniform Emergency Code System” in island schools. By THE STAR STAFF Students from José González Ruiz School in Aguada appeared Tuesday before the Education Committee in the island House of Representatives to defend a proposal contained in House Bill 1214 to establish a “Uniform Emergency Code System” in Puerto Rico’s schools. T

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