Nicaraguan police filed charges of conspiracy, money laundering and spreading false news against those responsible for the Miss Universe franchise in the country just weeks after the national representative’s historic victory in the competition.
The targets of the allegations include Karen Celebertti, head of the Miss Nicaragua franchise, her husband and her son. A statement from state police alleges that the local Miss Universe organization was used to “turn pageants into political traps and ambushes financed by foreign agents.”
Portal was unable to contact the franchise owners or their representatives.
On October 21, Celebertti was banned from entering the country while her husband and son were detained in Nicaragua on conspiracy charges dating back to 2018. Authorities say they played a role in organizing antigovernment protests.
Sheynnis Palácios of Nicaragua won the Miss Universe title on November 18, marking the country’s first victory in the competition. The 72nd edition of the beauty pageant took place in El Salvador.
After the victory, Sheynnis Palácios decided not to return to Nicaragua and now lives in New York. Although the Miss Universe victory was celebrated by Nicaraguans in the streets, police are now accusing the franchise’s owners of trying to organize protests against Daniel Ortega’s government.
It’s worth noting that Nicaragua banned protests after violently suppressing antigovernment demonstrations in 2018 that left more than 320 people dead, the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights reported.