Polemics! Miss Earth Panama Organization responds

This week, Nicole Castillero, Miss Earth Panama 2023, announced that she will not represent Panama in this beauty pageant scheduled for today, December 22 in Thailand, due to the alleged irresponsible actions of Panameña Universal, the organization in charge of the pageant.

Castillero, who spent 5 months preparing to compete for crownhe shared a video on Instagram, where he explains in detail what happened.

He said, “Hello everyone, it’s me Nicole Castillero, the current Miss Earth Panama 2023. On December 22, the finals of the Miss Earth pageant will be held in Vietnam. Although I prepared for 5 months, unfortunately I could not travel to represent Panama. Today, two days before the final, I decided to break my silence.”

“I crowned myself August 2nd and since then I have been working tirelessly, cooperation on ecological projects, work with organizations in favor of the environment, along with physical preparation,” he says.

“I had to travel November 25 and, despite numerous calls and messages to the organization, I have not received an answer regarding the purchase of the ticket, changing rooms, itinerary and luggage that I would need to represent Panama. It wasn’t until November 28 that I was notified that I was traveling on November 30 at 6:00 am. I only had 24 hours to prepare for a 23-day trip to an international competition. The organization’s improvisation when purchasing an airline ticket online was not aware of the necessary rules and documentation that would be required to be on one of the 27-hour layovers in Taiwan,” he commented.

He continued: “This meant that upon arrival at airport (Tocumen) With suitcases, belt, crown and flag, Copa (Airlines) agents wouldn’t let me board the flight (I needed a visa to enter Taiwan). Copa agents noted that you can apply for a visa online. And that’s what I did right away. Taiwan approved the visa 3 days later.”

“However, since then the only response I have received from the director of the organization is that they are working on rescheduling my plane ticket,” he said.

It wasn’t until Dec. 15 that he discovered, through third parties, that the organizers of Panameña Universal were not in the country because they had traveled to his native Venezuela without informing him “not even out of respect or consideration,” said Castillero, who made it clear that never gave up her crown and that she was always willing to represent Panama.

Universal of Panama fits

After the release of Nicole’s video, Panameña Universal left it in place instagram story a statement in which they assure that they do not owe anyone an explanation.

“Clarifying in advance that we do not owe anyone any explanations, since this organization has been around for years worked with the money of his directors“, without receiving financial assistance from any natural person, private entity, and even less from a state institution,” the statement begins.

“Clarifying first of all that we do not carry out a competition where our current queen was the winnerand failing that, it was the organization’s decision to appoint her to represent Panama, and keeping the firm decision that she is the best option to represent the country, with all the qualities to leave the name of Panama high, we have absolutely nothing to add to the video where we are exposed as responsible for non-participation of our queen in her international pageant.”

They emphasized that they will not issue a single one rid more and to feel proud of the work done.