Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios wins Miss Universe crown

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios gained the Miss Universe competitors late Saturday night time in El Salvador, the primary to put on the crown from her nation.

Palacios is a 23-year-old communicologist, who stated she needs to work to advertise psychological well being after struggling debilitating bouts of hysteria herself.

Miss Thailand, Anntonia Porsild, was first runner-up and Miss Australia, Moraya Wilson, the second runner-up.

Eighty-four ladies competed for the crown within the 72nd version of the competitors.

Palacios appeared to safe the win when she confidently answered the query of which lady’s sneakers would she wish to spend a yr in by saying Mary Wollstonecraft, the 18th-century English author and thinker. Wollstonecraft was an advocate of girls’s rights and is taken into account one of many forerunners of feminism.

Palacios stated she needs to work to shut the wage hole between the genders so that girls can work in any space.

Miss Universe was final held in El Salvador in 1975. This yr’s occasion was one other alternative for President Nayib Bukele to tout adjustments made beneath his administration, particularly significantly enhancing the nation’s security.

“El Salvador has modified for good and we have now proven it once more,” Bukele stated Saturday night time. “Miss Universe has given us the chance to indicate the world what we’re able to. Thanks for selecting to be a part of El Salvador’s rebirth.”

Bukele is operating for reelection regardless of constitutional time period limits and is broadly common for his crackdown on the nation’s gangs. However he has confronted worldwide criticism for eroding checks and balances on his energy and never respecting human rights.

Greater than 72,000 individuals have been arrested with out due course of since a state of emergency was declared in March 2022 in response to a surge in gang violence. The particular powers it granted Bukele stay in place.