Miss Universe: Nicaragua accused of treason

Nicaragua won Miss Universe and was feted by President Ortega.

Now the regime has turned.

The country’s beauty pageant director Karen Celebertti is accused of a plot and called a traitor.

– She is completely devastated and is not allowed to enter the country, says her Swedish cousin Carla Ocklund Moncada.

A couple of weeks ago, this year’s edition of the Miss Universe beauty pageant was decided in El Salvador. The win went to Nicaraguan contestant Sheynnis Palacios.

She was there with Miss Universe entrepreneur Karen Celebertti, who for many years has been involved in Nicaragua’s contribution to the international competition. First place was initially celebrated by the regime and President Daniel Ortega, who thought it was good PR for the country.

– Everyone was so proud and happy. It’s fantastic and we know how much she has fought and finally it paid off, says Swedish Carla Ocklund Moncada who is Karen’s cousin.

But the president’s joy and pride suddenly turned to anger.

In connection with the competition, a picture of Sheynnis Palacios was spread where she is seen participating in a massive demonstration critical of the regime that shook the country in 2018. Palacios was then studying at one of the many universities that were closed down after the protests.

Called a “coup maker”

After the victory in Miss Universe, many Nicaraguans took to the streets and squares to celebrate the win and wave blue and white flags, which is prohibited in the country.

President Ortega believes his party’s colors – red and black – should be used, reports say AP news agency. The country’s Vice President Rosario Murillo, who is also the wife of President Ortega, came out and called them “coup plotters”.

– As soon as people demonstrate, the private sector, which is under heavy pressure, is blamed. The regime suddenly turned, from having cheered to accusing people of wanting to destroy and mess up, says Carla Ocklund Moncada to Aftonbladet.

Her cousin Karen is now accused of having allowed participants critical of the regime to represent the country in the competition and that she is part of the private sector that the president considers to oppose and criticize the regime.

– They connect my cousin to the entire private sector, manifestations and they make the connection that she used the girl who won for this. Like a facade, a plot. It’s just so ridiculous, stupid and dangerous, says Carla Ocklund Moncada.

Accused of treason

In recent years, the regime has closed down a large number of private companies and organizations.

– I have wondered how Karen managed and was able to continue running her companies despite the fact that it is so tough in Nicaragua. She has really struggled and succeeded, until now, says Carla Ocklund Moncada.

Karen, who is in charge of the delegation, is now accused of being a traitor. According to a statement from the police, Karen is accused of “using beauty contests to create a political ambush and being financed by foreign forces” through her business, reports Reuters.

After the competition in El Salvador, they traveled to Mexico and then flew home to Nicaragua again.

When Karen and her daughter landed at the airport, they were not allowed in.

– They were told that they were no longer welcome and she is accused of going against the motherland and that she has no right to live there, says Carla Ocklund Moncada.

“Very embarrassing” Karen Celebertti and her husband Martin.

Karen and her daughter Luciana were forced to return to Mexico. Carla says that Karen’s husband Martin and son Bernard were later arrested at the family’s home in Nicaragua and are now being held on charges of treason. Since then, the family has been unable to reach them.

– It is the highest priority now to try to get them free. It’s a dictatorship and we don’t know what happens in the prison, she says.

The incident has received a lot of attention in the country and in the international press.

– We have worked for so long for freedom and we do not know where they will now end up. It’s very scary for them right now. This is a reminder of how important it is to support democracy, freedom and human rights.

Sheynnis Palacios has not returned to Nicaragua after the victory and is now in the United States, according to Reuters.

– The regime has proven nervous. It’s not because of weakness, but more that it’s paranoid. It is afraid of anything that does not follow their line, says Juan Pappier, deputy director at Human Rights Watch, to The Guardian.