Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios won the Miss Universe competition on Saturday (11/18) evening in El Salvador. She became the first woman to win the Miss Universe crown from her country.
Palacios is a 23-year-old communications professional, who said he wanted to work to improve mental health after suffering from debilitating anxiety attacks himself.
Miss Thailand, Anntonia Porsild, was first runner-up and Miss Australia, Moraya Wilson, was second runner-up.
A total of 84 women competed for the crown at the 72nd Miss Universe competition.
Palacios achieved victory after confidently answering a question about which female figure’s life he would like to live for a year. He answered Mary Wollstonecraft, an 18th century English writer and philosopher. Wollstonecraft was a supporter of women’s rights and is considered one of the pioneers of feminism.
Palacios said she wants to work to close the gender pay gap so that women can work in any field.
Miss Universe was last held in El Salvador in 1975. This year’s event was another opportunity for President Nayib Bukele to boast about the changes made under his administration, particularly in improving the country’s security.
“El Salvador has changed forever and we have shown it again,” Bukele said on Saturday evening. “Miss Universe has given us the opportunity to show the world what we are capable of. Thank you for choosing to be part of the rebirth of El Salvador.”
Bukele is seeking re-election despite constitutional term limits. He is very popular thanks to his crackdown on criminal gangs in the country. However, he faced international criticism for eroding the checks and balances mechanism, namely the principle of balance of power in democratic countries, and not respecting human rights.
More than 72,000 people have been arrested without due process since a state of emergency was declared in March 2022 in response to rising gang violence. The special authority given to Bukele still remains in effect. (rd/rs)