Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios in "indefinite exile" from Nicaragua, Ortega regime accused of "cruel intentions"

The director of the Miss Universe organization, Anne Jakrajutatip, reported on Sunday that the current Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios, and her family are living in “indefinite exile” due to the “cruel intentions” of the Daniel Ortega regime in Nicaragua.

In a Mother's Day letter published on her social networks, the Thai businesswoman said the Palacios' family recently emigrated from Nicaragua.

“You work hard to take care of your mother and the entire family who are now outside your homeland,” said Jakrajutatip, according to a report published by The Los Angeles Times Spanish edition.

“You are one of the greatest examples of the butterfly girl with broken wings who never surrendered to the bad actions, disrespectful and cruel intentions of any authoritarian,” Jakrajutatip said, taking aim at the Nicaraguan Ortega regime.

The owner of the Miss Universe franchise also recognized the work of the former director of the organization in Nicaragua, Karen Celebertti, whom the regime accused of conspiracy and treason after sending her into exile.

Palacios' banishment is believed to be the result of how much influence she seemed to gain among the Nicaraguan people after she won the Miss Universe pageant.

When she won in El Salvador last November, her surprise victory unleashed an explosion of joy in the streets of Nicaragua, distressing Ortega's leadership since demonstrations were banned after the social protests of 2018.

That became a problem after photos surfaced proving that Palacios herself was one of the protestors who participated in the renowned demonstrations.

As a result, the Ortega regime quickly turned a national celebration of pride into a manhunt and nightmare for many.

In the midst of the victory celebrations, Ortega law enforcement agents arrested two young artists who were painting a mural with Palacios' face in the city of Estelí. The artists, now jailed in prison, were sentenced to five years in prison in February.

Last December, Karen Celebertti, then director of the Miss Nicaragua beauty pageant, resigned from her position 10 days later after the Ortega officials accused her of conspiring to manipulate the pageant so that beauty queen contestants opposing the regime would win.

Upon her return to Nicaragua from Mexico, the government prevented Celebertti from entering the country, and arrested her husband and son a few days later. Her husband and son are co-owners of the local Miss Nicaragua franchise, accusing them of treason and other charges also brought against her.

After being detained for almost two months in January, Celebertti's relatives were released and expelled to Mexico.

So far, no one has bought back the Miss Nicaragua franchise, suggesting the pageant will not be held this year. Meanwhile, the Ortega regime announced its own contest, called “Queens of Nicaragua,” in which more than 1,100 candidates have registered, according to official media.