Scandal grows: Miss Universe president Raul Rocha's criminal charges shake pageant's image

The Miss Universe pageant is embroiled in yet another scandal.

Raul Rocha, the president of the Miss Universe organisation, is facing criminal charges for his alleged involvement in possession of drugs, guns and fuel trafficking between Guatemala and Mexico.

According to “Reforma”, a Mexican publication, Rocha is charged by the Attorney General's Office (FGR) and is also considered to be the leader of a criminal organisation that smuggles fuel in boats.

Following the issuance of an arrest warrant, the FRG conducted raids on multiple residences, including one where they claim to have seized records of monetary contributions from Rocha to the criminal organisation. 

One of these contributions allegedly totalled 2.1 million pesos (approximately R611,856).

According to the warrant of arrest, which the publication obtained, the FRG alleges that members of Rocha's criminal organisation have ties with politicians and authorities who are also a part of the Mexican government.

The Miss Universe organisation has recently faced a fresh controversy, adding to its history of contentious issues.

Here’s a recap of the Miss Universe 2025 scandals:

From the start of the pageant, where a beauty queen, Fátima Bosch, was involved in an argument with one of the directors of the organisation, Nawat Itsaragrisil, who allegedly called her dumb.

Shortly after that, a few members of the judging panel released statements saying that they would not be a part of the pageant because the finale results were rigged and the organisation had already chosen the Top 30 way before the finale.

After the winner was announced, fans were not happy with the crowned beauty queen, Bosch, leading to more controversies and a demand that she step down from her title because there is a contestant who is a better fit for the crown than her.

While we were still shocked about all of that, contestants from other countries spoke up against the Miss Universe organisation, sharing that there is a lack of transparency within the organisation.

This led to many of them sharing that they are resigning from their titles because the values of the organisation do not align with their values.

In addition, other contestants revealed that they were told during the competition that if they were mothers or in relationships, they did not stand a chance of winning.

A few days later, Rocha addressed the backlash during an interview and explained that the reason why the organisation did not crown the fourth runner-up, Olivia Yacé of Côte d'Ivoire, was due to the difficult visa restrictions of her country.