By 2024, the Miss Universe beauty pageant aims to have representatives from 120 countries, prompting an invitation for Cuba to return after a 57-year hiatus. However, the Cuban contest will take place in Florida as the organization considers the Cuban regime a dictatorship and refuses to engage in any transactions with it.
"Prince" Julio César, the organizer of the Cuban contest, told the EFE agency that the Miss Universe organization, with over 60 years of history, “is completely closed to any transactions with the Cuban government.” The national director of Miss Cuba stated that the organization he represents does not deal with dictatorial regimes, “but with fully democratic governments.” Hence, Cuba is given the opportunity to participate in Miss Universe, but from the city of Miami.
The Venezuelan fashion designer recalled that since the onset of the Cuban dictatorship in 1959, the nation ceased participating in the pageant because “it was not compatible with their ideals.” He added that for two years, Cuban queens were chosen in exile and crowned at an event held in Miami, known as Miss Cuba Libre. However, this did not last due to the tensions between Cuba and the United States at the time.
Regarding the decision to choose Miami as the event's location, he noted that it is “the largest bastion of all Cubans worldwide.” According to César, the pageant, set to take place in Miami next September, will feature Cuban representatives selected from exiled candidates. He emphasized that most of these women were born in the Caribbean nation and “have come here by raft, by boat, or through a visa.”
He highlighted that out of a thousand applicants in Miami, comprised of women either born on the island or to Cuban parents, a little over half were preselected, from which twenty finalists will emerge. The winner will carry a message to the contest in Mexico that will undoubtedly be “one of freedom and democracy,” said the national director of Miss Cuba, who recently remarked that the platform he leads does not have political but cultural purposes.
However, César believes that Cuba's return to the beauty pageant stems from the organization's “vision.” “I think they are betting on inclusion from all perspectives, particularly from a cultural standpoint, and it ties in with the women's empowerment movement, not excluding or preventing any woman, regardless of her country's situation, from participating,” he told EFE.
The Miss Universe gala will be held next November in Mexico, marking the first time in 57 years that Cuba will have a representative.
Miss Universe and Cuba's Participation
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the participation of Cuba in the Miss Universe pageant and the organization's stance on the Cuban government.
Why is the Miss Universe pageant for Cuba being held in Miami?
The Miss Universe organization refuses to deal with the Cuban government, which it considers a dictatorship. Therefore, the Cuban contest is being held in Miami, a city with a large Cuban exile community.
How are the candidates for Miss Cuba selected?
Candidates are selected from among Cuban exiles in Miami. Out of a thousand applicants, a little over half were preselected, and twenty finalists will be chosen from them.
What message will the Miss Cuba winner bring to Miss Universe?
The winner will bring a message of freedom and democracy to the Miss Universe contest in Mexico.
Why did Cuba stop participating in Miss Universe after 1959?
Cuba stopped participating because the ideals of the Miss Universe pageant were not compatible with the Cuban government's ideology after the 1959 revolution.