Representative Salazar Invites First Miss Universe from Nicaragua to U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) extended an invitation for Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacios to visit the U.S. Capitol. Palacios is a critic of the Nicaraguan Ortega/Murillo regime and serves as a testament to the rich heritage Nicaragua has to offer. Rep. Salazar believes Palacios proudly represents a great people who suffer under a cruel dictatorship.

“Sheynnis and I share a commitment to fighting for democracy in Nicaragua. I would be delighted to host her in the capital of the free world,” wrote Rep. Salazar.

Sheynnis Palacios, the first Nicaraguan to win Miss Universe, has voiced strong opposition to the Ortega regime. She participated in the 2018 protests against the regime in Nicaragua, and passionately advocates for human rights.

As the Chairwoman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Salazar is the leading voice on issues affecting Nicaragua and tens of thousands of her Nicaraguan-American constituents. Just this year alone, she has taken vital steps to hold the regime accountable and to support Nicaraguan exiles abroad through the Nicaraguan Political Prisoner Support Act.

Read the full letter here.

There are 450,000 Nicaraguan Americans living in the United States, and Congresswoman Salazar represents more than 30,000 of them in Florida’s 27th congressional district.

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