The Miss Universe conflict involving Nawat Itsaragrisil has taken a significant new turn, and the Puerto Rican government is no longer watching the dispute from the sidelines. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company, a government agency deeply involved in bringing the 75th Miss Universe competition to the island, announced on September 24 that it sent a formal cease-and-desist letter to the Thai businessman.
The letter demands that Nawat stop making or spreading what the agency describes as false, inaccurate, or materially misleading factual assertions involving the Tourism Company, its officials, contracting procedures, and the handling of public money connected to Miss Universe 2026.
© Nawat ItsaragrisilIt is the latest escalation in a complicated Miss Universe power struggle that has expanded far beyond disagreements over franchises and contestants.
Why Puerto Rico Sent Nawat a Cease-and-Desist Letter
Nawat has spent weeks publicly questioning how money provided by Puerto Rico for Miss Universe 2026 was handled.
Earlier this month, he called on Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González Colón and Puerto Rico Tourism Company executive director Willianette Robles Cancel to investigate what he alleged were irregularities involving money paid to bring the pageant to the island.
Nawat alleged that money had been improperly diverted and questioned whether the agreements involving the event had received the appropriate corporate authorization. The agency has now taken the additional step of sending Nawat a cease-and-desist letter.
According to its September 24 statement, the government agency says some of Nawat's public claims concerning JKN Universe LLC's corporate structure and authority, bank accounts, public funds, and the actions of Puerto Rican officials are inconsistent with corporate documentation in the agency's possession.
Puerto Rico Says the Miss Universe Fight Is Not Its Fight
The Tourism Company's message was particularly clear on one issue: it does not want Puerto Rico dragged into the corporate battle surrounding Miss Universe. Willianette Robles Cancel acknowledged that the agency is aware of disputes between Nawat and people or entities connected with the Miss Universe organization.
© rrssHowever, she said the Tourism Company is not a party to those disagreements. “We are aware that there are controversies between Mr. Itsaragrisil and people or entities linked to the Miss Universe organization. The Tourism Company is not a party to those differences, and we will not allow a controversy between third parties to be used to question, without foundation, the integrity of our processes or the responsible management of public funds. Our responsibility is to protect public funds, the interests of Puerto Rico, and Puerto Rico's projection as a tourist destination, acting with the corresponding transparency and rigor,” expressed CTPR Executive Director Willianette Robles Cancel.
The agency said it would not allow a dispute between private parties to be used to question, without foundation, the integrity of its procedures or its handling of public funds. It said its responsibility is to protect Puerto Rico's public money, interests, and reputation as a tourism destination. “Puerto Rico is preparing to host an event of international scale that represents an important platform to showcase our attractions, our culture, and our tourism offerings to audiences around the world. Controversies unrelated to the Company will not divert our attention from that objective, nor should Puerto Rico be used to advance differences between private interests,” added Robles Cancel.
The agency also stressed that the cease-and-desist does not prevent Nawat from expressing opinions, making claims or going to court.
© @sarinkp.officialInstead, it demands that factual representations concerning the Tourism Company's actions be accurate and complete and that disputed matters not be presented as settled facts.
Could the Miss Universe Conflict Threaten Puerto Rico 2026?
Despite the increasingly public confrontation, Puerto Rico is continuing preparations for Miss Universe 2026.
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company said on September 23 that production and coordination work for the November competition was moving forward. The agency described the 75th anniversary pageant as an important opportunity to promote Puerto Rico internationally and generate economic activity.
The Nawat Conflict Is Now Bigger Than the Contestants
Much of the recent Miss Universe controversy has focused on whether delegates from Thailand and several other Southeast Asian countries will be allowed to compete.
© AFP via Getty ImagesNawat has insisted those contestants remain eligible and will travel to Puerto Rico, while the opposing Miss Universe side has challenged the validity of their franchise arrangements.
Before Puerto Rico announced its cease-and-desist letter, Nawat had reportedly given the Tourism Company until September 25 to respond to his questions, saying his legal team could become involved if he did not receive answers.
Puerto Rico has now responded, but certainly not in the way Nawat appeared to be seeking.
