Today we want to talk about a milestone that fills us with pride. If there is one keyword that defines our internal doctrine at Mandatum, it is transparency. And sometimes, destiny and the law align to prove us right.

On May 1, 2025, the Republic of Suriname hit the “update” button on its legal system. The new Civil Code (Book 2) and the Trade Register Act came into force, establishing extremely strict rules of the game for any organization. For many institutions, this modernization represented an administrative headache. But for us? It was like seeing our own internal policy turned into national law.

A Birth at the Forefront of the Law
When our beloved STICHTING MANDATUM SURINAME was officially born on April 8, 2026, we didn’t have to scramble to adapt. We were born ready. The new laws demanded the exact institutional framework that Mandatum desired in order to operate with total clarity.

Don’t believe us? Let’s look at the hard facts, which prove that our statutes are a perfect reflection of the country’s requirements:

• Pure and Crystal-Clear Altruism: Article 51 of the new Civil Code strictly forbids using a foundation to enrich its founders or directors. That is precisely our philosophy! Our statutes establish a 100% humanitarian, educational, and social purpose in Suriname, safeguarding our mission and excluding any for-profit activities.
• Clear Accounts Make Long Friends: The law now demands flawless financial management, requiring annual accounts and management reports within six months. Since this is part of our doctrine, our own notarized statutes (Article 6) mandate that our board keep an accurate record of all assets, income, and expenses. To top off our ethical commitment, our directors do not earn a single cent for their work; everything goes directly to our social mission.
• Nothing to Hide: The new Trade Register Act put an end to ghost foundations by requiring all of them to register publicly. We embraced this scrutiny with open arms: we are proudly registered with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKF) under file number 170293. Anyone can verify our headquarters and who we are.

Conclusion: The Ideal Scenario
The legal reforms in Suriname have set the bar very high, but we were already flying at that altitude. The alignment between the strict new transparency law and Mandatum’s vision is no coincidence; it is proof that when an organization is built on solid values, no regulation is ever too big for it.

Let’s keep working with open doors and clear accounts, because transparency isn’t just a law in Suriname—it is our lifestyle!

The Mandatum Order proposes a $1.047 billion investment with no direct fiscal cost to build 10,000 seismically isolated homes and train 2,500 community response members in Venezuela

Following the catastrophe triggered by the seismic doublet on June 24, 2026—which left a tragic toll of over 5,500 dead and more than 28,000 homes destroyed in the western region of Venezuela—a technical and social proposal has emerged aiming to redefine disaster management in Latin America. It is called Phoenix City (Ciudad Fénix), an emergency urban reconstruction draft project led by the international humanitarian organization Ordo Supremus Pro Causis Humanitariis INC (Mandatum Order).

An Industrialized Response to Tragedy
The plan anticipates intervening in a 270-hectare plot in Barquisimeto, Lara State, allocated by the Venezuelan government. With an estimated total investment of $1.047 billion—managed under a “Zero Cash Flow” rule and with no direct budget disbursement from the Public Treasury—the initiative aims to guarantee dignified and safe shelter for approximately 55,000 people (10,000 families) within a strict 36-month timeline, incorporating partial handovers starting in Month 10.

Unlike traditional housing models, Phoenix City bases its speed of execution and cost containment on the total elimination of variability. The project considers only two typologies of prestressed concrete prefabricated housing: the T1 unit (basic, 2 bedrooms, 52 m²) and the T2 unit (family, 3 bedrooms across two levels, 72 m²). Production will take place in an in-house industrial plant that will manufacture standardized components on a large scale, eradicating the typical delays of conventional construction.

Cutting-Edge Seismic Engineering
The cornerstone of Phoenix City lies in its unyielding standard of structural resilience. Designed to withstand a Maximum Credible Earthquake of magnitude 8.0 along the Boconó Fault System and a Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) of 0.4g—double the minimum required by the COVENIN 1756-1:2019 standard—the project applies lead rubber bearing (LRB) elastomeric base isolation technology. The financial innovation involves installing isolators beneath shared rigid platforms supporting blocks of 8 to 12 homes, cutting the cost of seismic protection in half compared to individual isolation per house.

«The earthquake did not bring down buildings because it was impossible to build them to resist it. It brought them down because they were not built to resist it. That distinction is the premise of this entire project».

Utility Autonomy and Urban Infrastructure
Aware that public utility networks often collapse during severe seismic events, planners have allocated $210 million (20% of the CAPEX) to developing completely autonomous infrastructure. Phoenix City will feature its own photovoltaic solar park with battery storage for critical loads, a deep-well field with a water purification plant, a sewage network with a modular treatment plant, and a fiber optic network complemented by an independent digital radio system for emergencies.

In terms of social infrastructure, the proposal includes a primary referral health center with emergency services, 5 primary care points, 8 educational facilities (6 primary/early education and 2 secondary schools), and 20 neighborhood commercial hubs, ensuring essential services are located within walking distance for the community.

The Community as First-Line Response Force
The most defining aspect of Phoenix City rests on integrating social factors as a pillar of structural safety. The draft project allocates $35 million to creating and equipping Community Response Brigades. A group of 2,500 volunteer residents—one for every four families—will receive 120 hours of certified initial training in light rescue, rapid damage assessment, and first-aid support, organized into 20 sectorized brigades and supported by 1,000 block representatives.

Additionally, 30 hectares (11% of the site) are reserved exclusively for a green space network strictly serving as post-earthquake shelters, equipped with sealed emergency storage units, independent water points, and autonomous lighting. Furthermore, the project guarantees 100% Venezuelan labor hiring, generating between 8,500 and 11,000 direct jobs.

Documented from the outset as a transferable methodology, the Phoenix City model aims to leave Barquisimeto with installed technical, industrial, and human capacity that can be exported to other vulnerable regions across Latin America and the Caribbean—proving that post-disaster reconstruction is not merely a matter of cement, but of community organization and preventive engineering.

The experienced consultant and expert in relations assumes leadership of the prestigious order with the goal of consolidating strategic alliances in the country.

In a strategic move that promises to strengthen the institutional and diplomatic presence of the order in the region, the prominent international consultant Emilio Alfonso Arzola Ruiz has been officially appointed as the new Chancellor of Mandatum to the Republic of Peru. This appointment places a professional with an impeccable track record of over 35 years in management, financial engineering, and project development on a global scale at the head of the organization. His addition aims to build solid bridges between the institutional spheres and the organization’s humanitarian missions.

Born in Lima and with deep roots in the Latin American professional field, Arzola Ruiz brings a comprehensive and multidisciplinary vision to the position. Throughout his career, he has established himself as an expert in investment structuring, large-scale project financing, and the representation of major international funds and consortia in key sectors such as infrastructure, technology, and energy. His solid reputation in strategic negotiation and institutional relations positions him as the ideal profile to lead Mandatum’s objectives in Peruvian territory.

The new Chancellor possesses a vast academic background that supports his leadership capacity. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Trade from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa, a Master’s Degree in Business Analysis with a concentration in Finance from the Universidad de Belgrano, and a Master’s Degree in Administration and Finance from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. Added to this is his specialization in educational management and the administration of civil associations and foundations, skills that will be fundamental for coordinating the social responsibility projects promoted by the order.

Institutional Track Record and Social Commitment

Arzola Ruiz’s career includes outstanding work as Administrator for the South America South Area of the Church Educational System between 2003 and 2021, managing resources and leading multidisciplinary teams. This extensive experience in the direction and control of projects at an international level guarantees efficient, transparent management focused on fulfilling high social impact objectives at the head of the Chancellery.

In addition to his professional achievements, the new Chancellor stands out for his deep sense of service and community leadership. He has held important ecclesiastical and high social responsibility positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as Bishop for two terms and as a member of stake councils in both Argentina and Peru. This ethical and spiritual background aligns perfectly with the values pursued by the Mandatum Order internationally.

With this appointment, the Mandatum Chancellery in Peru begins a new phase aimed at generating value through innovative solutions and global alliances. Under the leadership of Emilio Alfonso Arzola Ruiz, cooperation and assistance projects are expected to gain momentum, consolidating the order’s presence as a key player in the social development of the country.

For his part, Monsignor Leonardo Molina warmly received the presentation of the Mandatum Order, valuing the knights’ spirit of service and their interest in joining efforts to address the issues affecting communities.

At the conclusion of the audience, the authorities and attendees agreed on the importance of drawing up a preliminary roadmap to assess the most pressing needs of the local population, reaffirming their shared commitment to working for human dignity and the common good from their respective identities.

Headquarters, Miami, FL / Paramaribo. The Ordo Supremus Pro Causis Humanitariis (Mandatum) and the Mandatum Suriname Foundation are pleased to reaffirm before the public opinion, State institutions, and the families of the Republic of Suriname, the full effectiveness and steady progress of the Affordable Housing Initiative.

Following the formalization of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Government of the Republic, our organization ratifies that its technical structure and financial capacities are fully prepared and consolidated for the execution of this high-impact social project, which contemplates the construction of 10,000 dignified housing solutions, as well as complementary infrastructure in healthcare and education.

Guided by the governing principles of our Tradition and the strict fulfillment of the pledged word (pacta sunt servanda), our Legal Procuracy in the United States and the Procuracy for Government Liaison in Paramaribo, led by Sir Alfred M.G. Williams, continue to coordinate the relevant administrative steps with the Executive Power authorities for the commencement of the operational phases in the country.

Faithful to our global humanitarian mission, we place on record that no external circumstance will alter our determination to provide prosperity, welfare, and distributive justice to the noble people of Suriname, who constitute the sole and legitimate beneficiaries of this international alliance.

Procuracy for Communications

Strategic Leadership for the Humanitarian Mission

In a decisive step toward its consolidation in Central America, the Supreme Order Pro Causis Humanitariis (Mandatum) has officialized the appointment of Mr. Juan Diego Herrera Gutiérrez as the new Chancellor of Mandatum Panama. This designation seeks to integrate a high-level professional vision with the values of service and social commitment that define this Dynastic and Chivalric Order of Private Law.

Mr. Herrera Gutiérrez possesses a solid academic background as a dentist specializing in Periodontics. However, his profile stands out for its remarkable versatility, having established himself as a Wealth Manager and Investment Advisor in Latin America. This combination of scientific rigor and strategic management capability provides him with the necessary tools to represent the Order’s interests within the complex Panamanian institutional landscape, as well as to lead and strengthen the future healthcare projects that the organization plans to develop in the region.

Strengthening Government Ties and Sustainability

The work of the new Chancellor will be fundamental for the coordination of large-scale projects. Thanks to his deep roots in Panama City, Herrera Gutiérrez has developed solid relationships with key actors in the public sector, building a robust network with the country’s leaders. These ties will allow Mandatum to actively collaborate on infrastructure and social development initiatives that benefit the local community.

Furthermore, Herrera Gutiérrez’s management will place special emphasis on environmental sustainability. His ability to establish dialogues with indigenous communities regarding forest restoration projects positions the Order as a relevant actor in the protection of the Panamanian ecosystem, aligning chivalric tradition with the ecological challenges of the 21st century.

Ethical Commitment and Regional Projection

From his operational base in Bogotá and his permanent presence in Panama, the Chancellor will facilitate the integration and expansion of the Order throughout the region. His leadership is deeply rooted in ethical and spiritual principles, as he is an active defender of faith and family values. This moral standing ensures that Mandatum’s representation in Panama will be conducted under the strictest standards of integrity and humanitarian purpose.