Miss Universe leaves Mexico office, relocates back to New York

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December 18, 2025 | 4:12pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is officially ending operations in its Mexico office and relocating back to its headquarters in New York City, United States, citing legal uncertainty among several issues.

Following rumors that MUO was leaving Mexico City after its logo was taken off the building where it operated, the organization released a statement earlier this week confirming the Mexico withdrawal and return to New York "where they have historically always been based."

MUO said it conducted "a thorough and responsible assessment of the current conditions in Mexico," which it said did "not provide an adequate or stable environment for the safe and effective operation of an international organization of this scale."

"Among the factors considered are legal uncertainty, the current security situation, and unfounded and politically motivated attacks that have compromised the institutional framework required for long-term operational stability and global projection," the MUO added.

Administrative presence in Mexico was in order to support the New York headquarters and evolve a global operational base for the MUO.

"The initiative also aimed to create employment, generate economic impact for the country, and offer global exposure opportunities. However, Mexico has lost this opportunity," the organization said.

Existing staff will be relocated to other offices while new personnel will be hired in New York and other regions MUO continues to operate.

Related: Chavit Singson expresses interest in buying Miss Universe

"Regrettably, under the current circumstances, this vision could not be realized while meeting the governance, stability, and institutional standards required by MUO," the statement continued while reaffirming its "commitment to excellence, institutional integrity, and the protection of its legacy."

MUO reiterated that Mexico lost the opportunity to "establish itself as a strategic center within one of the world's most recognized global organizations" and the decision to withdraw was made with the MUO's long-term future as the guiding priority.

The office of MUO's president Raúl Rocha Cantú, who hails from Mexico, expressed gratitude to partner countries, especially those that indicated willingness to host and operate offices in their territories.

"We deeply appreciate the solidarity shown during this process, which reaffirms the global strength of the Miss Universe community and its shared commitment to collaboration, stability, and mutual respect," the statement ended, with the promise of announcing shortly which country will establish subsidiary corporate offices.

This past week saw MUO's chief executive officer Mario Búcaro step down after just a month since his appointment to replace the resigned Thai businesswoman Anne Jakrajutatip, who remains co-owner of the main Miss Universe franchise with Rocha.

MUO also recently appointed María José Unda as its vice president for international relations after two years with the organization. Unda was previously its talent development director. 

Rigging allegations of the most recent Miss Universe pageant continue to hound MUO. Apart from the controversies during the November 21 finals in Bangkok, Rocha and Jakrajutatip face individual legal issues of their own.

RELATED: Mario Bucaro steps down as Miss Universe CEO