Miss Nicaragua Won Miss Universe And Unexpectedly Became A Symbol Of Resistance
Sheynnis Palacios’s victory led people to take to the streets waving the Nicaragua flag, something that has not been done en masse in a long time.
Miss Nicaragua won Miss Universe for the first time and it unexpectedly became a symbol of resistance.
On Saturday, November 18, 23-year-old Sheynnis Palacios became the first Nicaraguan to win the Miss Universe title.
She won the beauty pageant in a dress inspired by the Nicaraguan flag, which depicts blue and white stripes and the country’s coat of arms at the center.
Her victory was celebrated throughout the country and led people to take to the streets waving the Nicaragua flag.
But actually, raising the Nicaraguan flag is seen as a symbol of resistance in the country and has not been done en masse in a long time.
That’s because the country has been ruled by president Daniel Ortega for the past 17 years, turning the country into a dictatorship.
Under his rule, the government has cracked down on independent news outlets and suppressed political opposition, according to human rights groups.
Activists are calling Palacios’ win “a beacon of unity and hope”, as she comes from a low-income background like many in the country.
Following her win, the Nicaragua government allegedly tried to prevent Palacios’ from boarding a plane back to Nicaragua.
The order was later lifted, according to a Nicaraguan journalist, and the government issued an official statement congratulating Palacios on November 19.
Palacios has not voiced a political opinion about the Nicaraguan government.
She dedicated her win to “all the girls around the world, her inner child, her family, and her country’s more than 6 million people.”
