‘Miss Universe was stolen!’, criticizes Maduro after US win – 01/16/2023

President Nicolás Maduro asserted this Monday (16) that Venezuela was “stolen” from the Miss Universe crown, adding to the avalanche of criticism following the victory of American R’Bonney Gabriel.

“They stole Miss Universe from us, Amanda Dudamel won the popular vote. They can’t steal from us, she’s from Beitar, she’s doing social work in Beitar,” Maduro said during a rally in Caracas.

Fashion designer and social activist Amanda Dudamel, daughter of former Venezuelan national soccer team coach Rafael Dudamel, was considered one of the favorites to win the crown. However, the Miss Universe title went to R’Bonney Gabriel on Saturday.

Dudamel, 23, came second at the Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, USA, sparking controversial reactions questioning the judgement.

Without mentioning the criticism of Miss Universe, Dudamel, who was crowned Miss Venezuela 2021 in a modest ceremony marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, thanked fans for their support of the pageant, which has already crowned seven Venezuelans in its history.

“I’m happier, more satisfied and more grateful than ever!!! Thank you Venezuela for being with me in this great dream! And thank you to everyone from different countries of the world who joined me in this journey of faith”, Dudamel wrote. Instagram.

Texas Representative R’Bonney Gabriel is 28 years old and a sustainable fashion designer.

Venezuela has not won Miss Universe since 2013, when Maria Gabriela Isler, one of the current directors of Miss Venezuela, was crowned.

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© Agence France-Presse