"Miss Universe Nicaragua: A Symbol of Defiance Against Ortega's Regime"

Sheynnis Palacios, the recently crowned Miss Universe from Nicaragua, has become a symbol of defiance against the Ortega regime. Palacios participated in the mass protests in 2018 that sought to topple President Daniel Ortega's authoritarian rule. Her victory sparked rare outpourings of joy in a country that has experienced little to celebrate in recent years. The regime initially congratulated Palacios but has since cracked down on celebrations and dissent. The government detained a TikToker who defended Palacios, forced artists to paint over a mural in her honor, and banned the director of the Miss Nicaragua franchise from returning to the country. Nicaragua has seen a deterioration of freedoms and liberties since the 2018 protests, with hundreds of political prisoners, NGO closures, and persecution of the Catholic Church.