Miss Nicaragua Pageant Director Resigns Amid Treason Accusations

The director of the Miss Nicaragua pageant, Karen Celebertti, has retired from the organization after being accused of "conspiracy" and other crimes by the police. This comes after Nicaragua's contestant, Sheynnis Palacios, was crowned Miss Universe, becoming a symbol of hope for opponents of the Nicaraguan regime. The government's response to Palacios' win included detaining a TikToker who defended her and forcing artists to paint over a mural in her honor. Celebertti and her family have faced immigration issues and her husband and son have been arrested on charges of treason, conspiracy, and organized crime. Celebertti, in her retirement statement, emphasized that her work was for all Nicaraguans without political distinction. Palacios has not returned to Nicaragua since her win.