The owner of the Miss Universe franchise, Anne Jakrajutatip, has confirmed the departure of the grandmother and brother of Nicaraguan beauty queen Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe 2023, from the country. In a post on social media, Jakrajutatip accused Daniel Ortega’s regime of exiling Palacios for her triumph in the contest.
Social media users had previously claimed that Palacios’ relatives had left the country to meet with her, but this information could not be confirmed. Jakrajutatip expressed gratitude to her supporters and friends for their support during these challenging times.
Describing Palacios as “brave, strong, and intelligent,” Jakrajutatip praised her for her resilience in the face of adversity. She confirmed the departure of Palacios’ family members from Nicaragua, further highlighting the political turmoil in the country.
The owner of Miss Universe also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Karen Celebertti, former director of Miss Nicaragua and current Talent Director of Miss Universe, who played a crucial role in Palacios’ victory. She revealed that Celebertti and her family were also exiled from Nicaragua after Palacios’ win, due to the power of the Miss Universe brand.
Despite hopes of Palacios returning to celebrate her victory in Nicaragua, the repressive actions of the dictatorship towards the Miss Nicaragua franchise and its owner have dashed those expectations. This Sunday, Jakrajutatip’s words served as a somber reminder of the challenges faced by beauty queens in politically volatile environments.