Nicaraguan authorities are seeking to arrest the director of the Miss Nicaragua pageant, Karen Celebertti, alleging that she manipulated contests to favor beauty queens critical of the government.
The government initially celebrated Sheynnis Palacios’ Miss Universe win but turned hostile when it surfaced that she participated in anti-government protests in 2018.
Celebertti, accused of involvement in “terrorist actions of a failed coup,” allegedly collaborated with foreign agents.
Ordinary Nicaraguans celebrated Palacios’ victory, using the national flag, which angered the government.
The authorities have taken drastic measures against dissent, including closing universities and expelling opposition.
