Owner of Nicaragua’s Miss Universe Franchise Charged with Conspiracy After Pageant Victory
Karen Celebertti, Nicaragua's Miss Universe franchise holder, faces charges of conspiracy, money laundering, and disseminating false information shortly after the nation's first Miss Universe win. Nicaraguan police allege that Celebertti, along with her husband and son, conspired against the state. They assert that the Miss Universe organization in Nicaragua was manipulated as a façade for politically motivated actions funded by external sources.
Attempts to reach Celebertti for comment were unsuccessful. Following her ban from entering Nicaragua on October 21, her family has been detained due to alleged involvement in anti-government protests in 2018.
Sheynnis Palacios, representing Nicaragua, clinched the Miss Universe title on November 18, and has not returned to her homeland since, now living in New York. Her victory sparked celebrations among Nicaraguans.
However, the authorities are charging event organizers with using the triumph to instigate opposition against the government. This follows a 2018 ban on demonstrations after violent suppressions led to over 320 deaths, as reported by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Sheynnis Palacios, representing Nicaragua, clinched the Miss Universe title on November 18, and has not returned to her homeland since, now living in New York. Her victory sparked celebrations among Nicaraguans.
However, the authorities are charging event organizers with using the triumph to instigate opposition against the government. This follows a 2018 ban on demonstrations after violent suppressions led to over 320 deaths, as reported by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.