Mario Búcaro, who concluded his tenure as chief executive officer of the Miss Universe Organization following a brief appointment in late 2025. Photo attribution: Official government portrait / Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala
Miss Universe Organization says it is relocating administrative operations from Mexico City to New York following the departure of CEO Mario Búcaro, citing operational consolidation and continuity.
NEW YORK — The Miss Universe Organization said it is relocating its administrative operations from Mexico City to New York, following the departure of its chief executive officer, Mario Búcaro, marking a return to the pageant’s long-standing operational base in the United States.
In a statement released this week, the organization said the move would take effect immediately and would consolidate executive and administrative functions in New York, where it said Miss Universe has historically maintained its headquarters. The organization described the relocation as an operational decision intended to support stability and continuity in its global operations.
The announcement followed confirmation a day earlier that Búcaro had concluded his tenure as chief executive officer. He was appointed to the role in late October and served for several weeks, overseeing organizational and operational matters connected to the most recent Miss Universe competition, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand.
In its statement, the Miss Universe Organization credited Búcaro for his contributions during a transitional period and said a successor would be announced at a later date. Búcaro, in remarks included in the announcement, said his time with the organization had been professionally instructive and emphasized that he had carried out his role in accordance with ethical and professional standards.
Return to New York operations
The organization said its Mexico City presence had been intended to support operations alongside its U.S. headquarters, with the possibility of expanding its administrative footprint. However, following an internal review, Miss Universe said it determined that consolidating leadership and administrative functions in New York was necessary to meet its institutional and operational requirements.
The statement did not cite specific external events as the basis for the move. It said the organization would work with affected staff and evaluate future locations for subsidiary or regional offices as part of its longer-term operational planning.
Ownership context
The Miss Universe Organization is jointly owned by JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., a Thailand-based media company, and Legacy Holding Group USA Inc. The organization has operated as a privately owned entity since 2015, when it was sold by its previous owners.
In recent weeks, Mexican authorities have confirmed that the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit froze bank accounts linked to Raúl Rocha Cantú, a co-owner and president of the Miss Universe Organization, as part of an ongoing investigation. Authorities have described the matter as an inquiry and have not announced any final findings. Rocha Cantú has denied wrongdoing through previous public statements reported by international media.
Separately, Thai judicial authorities have issued an arrest warrant for JKN Global Group chief executive Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip in connection with a fraud case after she did not appear at a scheduled court hearing. The case remains pending, and no final judgment has been issued.
The Miss Universe Organization did not directly address either legal matter in its relocation or leadership statements and has not indicated that the investigations have affected pageant operations.
Pageant continuity
Miss Universe said its annual competition and national franchise system would continue as scheduled under existing governance structures. The organization emphasized that the relocation of administrative operations would not affect national titleholders, franchise agreements, or upcoming pageant planning.
Founded in 1952, the Miss Universe pageant remains one of the world’s most recognized international beauty competitions, with national franchises in more than 80 countries.
