The Nicaraguan police have stated their intention to capture the manager of the Miss Nicaragua pageant, whom they blame for allegedly unfairly fixing the pageants to ensure that anti-government candidates win. This is reportedly part of a larger plan to overthrow the government. The allegations made against Karen Celebertti would not be out of place in a classic James Bond movie with claims of a repressive government, concealment, coup-plotting, espionage, and beauty queens.
Everything began on November 18 when Miss Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, emerged as the winner of the Miss Universe competition. The government initially perceived this as a positive move, hoping for a rare public relations win. However, things soured quickly when it became known that Palacios had previously participated in anti-government protests that were violently repressed in 2018.
According to the National Police, Celebertti was deeply involved, both online and in-person, in what they describe as terrorist activities during the 2018 protests. She reportedly avoided being taken into custody after being refused entry into the country a few days ago, but there are reports that relatives have been arrested.
In an official statement released by the National Police, it is claimed that Celebertti had remained in correspondence with the dissenters and had used Miss Universe-related resources as part of a conspiracy that was financed by foreign agents.
The flagrant expression of joy by the public at Miss Universe was seen as a direct opposition to Ortega’s government, further arousing their animosity. The celebration seen as an indication of their intent to ‘take to the streets again in December’, a move depicted as “evil” by Ortega’s wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo. In response, Ortega’s government took action against universities and social media platforms associated with the 2018 protests, resulting in forced exiles and mass repression.
Palacios, the Miss Universe winner from Nicaragua, has kept mum about the incident. Witnesses recalled her participation in the 2018 protests. On her now-deleted Facebook account, she wrote of her initial fears about joining the protest.
It’s a narrative like no other. From the Miss Universe stage to political activism, Palacios’ story is one that continues to resonate with the people.
