Nicaragua’s Sheynnis Palacios has been announced as the winner of the Miss Universe competition that took place in El Salvador on Saturday night.
Sheynnis, a 23-year-old communicologist, wants to promote mental health after suffering debilitating bouts of anxiety herself.
Furthermore, Miss Thailand, Anntonia Porsild, was the first runner-up, and Miss Australia, Moraya Wilson, was the second runner-up. It was also revealed that a total of 84 women competed in the 72nd edition of the competition.
Here's a look at the moment:
Sheynnis impressed the judges with her answer to the question about whose shoes she would like to spend a year in. She chose Mary Wollstonecraft, an 18th-century English writer and philosopher known for advocating women’s rights.
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She also said that she wants to work to close the salary gap between the genders so that women can work in any area.
'FIRST TIME SINCE 1975'
This year's Miss Universe event was held in El Salvador for the first time since 1975. President Nayib Bukele highlighted the positive changes in the country under his administration, focusing on improved safety.
“El Salvador has changed for good, and we have shown it again,” Bukele said Saturday night.
“Miss Universe has given us the opportunity to show the world what we are capable of. Thank you for choosing to be part of El Salvador’s rebirth.”
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Bukele is running for reelection despite constitutional term limits and is widely popular for his crackdown on the country’s gangs. But he has faced international criticism for eroding checks and balances on his power and not respecting human rights, reported news agency AP.
