Nicaragua’s government, led by President Daniel Ortega, initially celebrated the victory of Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios in the Miss Universe competition as a rare public relations triumph.
However, the joy turned to condemnation when it was revealed that Palacios graduated from a college central to the 2018 protests against the regime, and she apparently participated in the marches.
Miss Universe Victory Sparks Controversy
The government’s statement expressing legitimate joy and pride quickly shifted to anger, especially as ordinary Nicaraguans, largely forbidden from protesting, seized the Miss Universe win as an opportunity to celebrate in the streets.
Their use of the blue-and-white national flag instead of Ortega’s red-and-black Sandinista banner did not sit well with the government.
Palacios’ victory and her past participation in the 2018 protests were met with enthusiasm by Nicaragua’s opposition. Roman Catholic Rev. Silvio Báez, one of the many priests affected by government actions, congratulated Palacios, thanking her for bringing joy to the country and providing hope for a better future.
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Nicaraguan Government Reacts to Sheynnis Palacios’ Win
In response, Vice President and First Lady Rosario Murillo, using rhetoric reminiscent of North Korea, criticized opposition social media sites celebrating Palacios’ win as a victory against the government. Murillo accused them of attempting to turn a moment of pride into destructive coup-mongering.
Since the violent suppression of mass anti-government protests in 2018, thousands have fled into exile. Ortega claims the protests were a foreign-backed attempted coup against his government.
In the aftermath, the government closed the Jesuit University of Central America and at least 26 other Nicaraguan universities, labeling them hubs for anti-Ortega activities.
Ortega’s administration has also taken measures to suppress dissent, outlawing or closing over 3,000 civic groups and non-governmental organizations, arresting and expelling opponents, stripping them of citizenship, and confiscating their assets.
Palacios, the first Nicaraguan to win Miss Universe, has not publicly commented on the situation. During the competition, she expressed a commitment to promoting mental health and working to close the gender salary gap.
However, her previously deleted Facebook account contained photos of her at a protest, where she admitted being initially afraid to participate.
The protests in 2018 resulted in a harsh government crackdown, with human rights officials reporting that 355 people were killed by government forces.
The controversy surrounding Palacios’ win reflects the ongoing tensions between the Nicaraguan government and its critics, both within and outside the country.
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