Miss Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, was named the winner of the 2023 Miss Universe competition on Saturday night (November 18) in El Salvador. It was the first time Nicaragua has won the competition and the first time the country ever made it into the Top 5 finalists.

The 2023 Miss Universe competition started with 84 contestants. Palacios was crowned at the end of the evening with her strong presentations in the evening gown, swimsuit, and both Q&A rounds.

“Te amo mama,” Palacios said as she was being congratulated by all the delegates after taking her first walk as Miss Universe.

At the start of the evening, seven contestants from Latin American countries made it to the Top 20. They were Karla Guilfú (Puerto Rico); Camila Escribens (Peru); Camila Avella (Colombia); Sheynnis Palacios (Nicaragua); Isabella García-Manzo (El Salvador); Diana Silva (Venezuela); and Celeste Viel (Chile).

After the swimsuit round, six semi-finalists from Latin American countries made it to the Top 10 and were given the opportunity to participate in the evening gown competition. They were from Puerto Rico, Peru, Colombia, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Venezuela.

By the end of the evening gown competition, contestants from Puerto Rico, Nicaragua and Colombia made it to the Top 5.

The stage was then set for the Top 3. The lone Latina to make the Top 3 finalists was Miss Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios.

Palacios, 23, was born in Managua, Nicaragua. She studied mass communications at the Universidad Centroamericana. She also played varsity volleyball for her school.

Congratulations to Miss Nicaragua on her win at the 72nd Miss Universe!