Every time Miss Universe is tarnished by scandalsWe think it has hit rock bottom. But each time, it digs even deeper! The organization continues its unbelievable descent into hell. While its co-owner and president Raúl Rocha Cantú remains associated with a vast Mexican case involving organized crime.cartels, drug trafficking, arms trafficking and fuel smuggling, the organization has just entrusted its Colombian franchise to Natalie Ackermann.
problem: The name of this former beauty queen had appeared in 2008 during the investigations surrounding Wilber Varela, alias "Jabón"., leader of the Colombian Norte del Valle cartel. His relationship with the drug trafficker was then examined by the Colombian justice system. At this rate, the 75th edition of Miss Universe, organized in November in Puerto Rico, risks resembling less a beauty contest and more a gathering of cartels from around the world.
Natalie Ackermann takes over Miss Universe Colombia
The Miss Universe Organization therefore announced on Monday the appointment of Natalie Ackermann as national director of Miss Universe Colombia. She will be responsible for recruiting candidates, organizing their selection and choosing the next Colombian representative for the international competition.
The press release presents an experienced leader, recognized for her brand knowledge and track record at the helm of the franchise. "Her proven track record, her deep understanding of the Miss Universe brand, and the experience she gained leading the organization in Colombia were key factors in this appointment," states Miss Universe. The organization also asserts that her "strategic vision," "professionalism," and "commitment to excellence" will strengthen the Colombian platform. The text thus employs the usual vocabulary of female leadership, excellence, and international reach. But it carefully avoids the most troubling episode in Natalie Ackermann's career: her name appearing in a case directly linked to one of the most powerful Colombian drug traffickers of the 1990s and 2000s.
Natalie Ackermann cited in the case of drug trafficker "Jabón"
As a reminder, Wilber Varela, nicknamed "Jabón," was a prominent figure in the drug trade. A former police officer who became the head of the Norte del Valle cartel, he led a criminal organization involved in the massive shipment of cocaine to the United States and Europe. He was found murdered in Venezuela in January 2008. After his death, authorities examined documents, contact lists, accounting records, and various files recovered from properties linked to the drug lord.
The name Natalie Ackermann then appears Among those questioned are women from the worlds of television, modeling, and beauty pageants. Investigators are seeking to determine the exact nature of the relationships between Wilber Varela and several well-known women in Colombia. Natalie Ackermann is summoned to explain a possible connection to the drug trafficker but is cleared of charges. Her name, however, remains tainted and linked to the head of the Norte del Valle cartel.
Beauty pageants are at the heart of the world of "Jabón"
The Wilber Varela case uncovered the drug trafficker's close ties to the world of models, actresses, and former beauty queens. Investigators focused on payments, gifts, housing, vehicles, and various other benefits allegedly granted to certain women in his circle. The drug lord was described as a big fan of beauty pageants and had an extensive network of contacts within that world.
It is this past that Natalie Ackermann's appointment has brought crashingly back into the spotlight. Miss Universe could not have been unaware that her name had been linked for years, in the Colombian press, to the investigations conducted after the death of "Jabón." Yet the organization chose to reinstate her at the head of one of its most important franchises, without providing the slightest explanation for this episode. Another disastrous decision for a brand that still claims to champion transparency, responsibility, and exemplary conduct.
After “Jabón” in Colombia, Raúl Rocha in Mexico
This nomination is already embarrassing for an ordinary organization. It becomes mind-boggling in the current situation of Miss Universe. Raúl Rocha Cantú, co-owner with a 50% stake and president of the Miss Universe Organization, is associated in Mexico with an investigation opened into alleged organized crime activities. The case focuses in particular on a drug trafficking network, arms trafficking and fuel smuggling between Guatemala and Mexico.
Investigators suspect the existence of a network using multiple companies and commercial channels to move money, weapons, and fuel. Raúl Rocha's Mexican accounts have been frozen by the financial intelligence unit responsible for combating money laundering. The proceedings surrounding his arrest have also been marked by several legal twists and turns.
Instead of distancing itself from anything that might evoke organized crime, Miss Universe chose a new Colombian director whose name had appeared in a file linked to a cartel leader. In terms of image, it was devastating: the Mexican owner was caught up in an international trafficking case, while the new Colombian boss brought with her the name "Jabón" and the Norte del Valle cartel.
An organization already mired in scandals
The Miss Universe pageant is accumulating scandals at a rate that now gives the impression of a widespread collapse of its governance.
The other co-owner of the organization, the Thai businesswoman Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip was the subject of an arrest warrant in Thailand. in a case of fraud related to a bond investment. His group JKN Global, which had bought Miss Universe in 2022 before selling half of it to Raúl Rocha, has also been placed in debt restructuring proceedings.
The illegitimate election of Fátima Bosch in 2025 also remains shrouded in fierce controversy. Omar Harfouch, a member of the jury, left the competition before the final, denouncing the existence of a parallel committee that had participated in choosing the finalists without the officially announced jurors. He then claimed that Miss Mexico's victory was predetermined and rigged. After the competition, other members of the jury They contested the result or stated they did not vote for Fatima Bosch. Miss Universe rejected the accusations of rigging, but convinced no one.
This crisis was compounded by... the withdrawal of Miss France, tensions with several national organizations and the criticisms aimed at the opaque management of licenses. Miss Universe claims to celebrate women from all over the world, but its management gives the impression of a structure preoccupied with managing the legal affairs of its owners and the challenges of its own judges.
Ronald Day, a director accused of sexual harassment
As if cartel dealings and suspicions of rigging weren't enough, Miss Universe has entrusted its general management to Ronald Day, former powerful executive at Telemundo, publicly accused of sexual harassment. José Fernández, a former fitness commentator on American Spanish-language television, claims that Ronald Day sent him sexually explicit photos and videos, including obscene images of himself, before inviting him to his home and demanding sexual favors. After refusing and reporting the incidents internally, Fernández alleges he was gradually sidelined from Univision and then Telemundo, losing his press badge, his television appearances, and several professional projects.
Despite these particularly serious accusations, Ronald Day was chosen to lead an organization claiming to defend women and their safety. Between a Mexican co-owner embroiled in cartel affairs, a Colombian director cited in the case of a powerful drug trafficker, and a CEO accused of sexual harassment, the governance of Miss Universe now resembles a catalog of everything a beauty pageant should avoid.
Puerto Rico transformed into a global summit for cartel business
The 75th Miss Universe pageant is set to bring together more than 130 contestants in November 2026 at the Coliseo José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The organization promises a historic celebration of beauty, culture, and female leadership. But after Raúl Rocha's Mexican scandals and the resurgence of the "Jabón" Colombian affair involving Natalie Ackermann, the upcoming edition is turning into a bad joke. The bigger the lie, the more people believe it!
At this rate, we'll soon have to check whether the contestants arrive with a national sash or a map of the controlled territories. Mexico, Colombia, drug trafficking, arms trafficking, fuel smuggling: for its 75th anniversary, Miss Universe seems to have decided to bring together on one stage every possible reference to the world of cartels.
Will Puerto Rico host a beauty pageant or a criminal gathering? The question is clearly posed!
Miss Universe could have used this anniversary edition to clean up its governance, reassure national franchisees, and rebuild its seriously damaged credibility. Instead, the organization is doing the exact opposite. It's keeping Raúl Rocha at its helm despite the massive Mexican scandal. It's failing to quell the accusations surrounding the 2025 pageant. It's seeing historic organizations like Miss France turn their backs on it. And now, in Colombia, it's appointing an official whose name had surfaced in investigations into the associates of a cartel leader. The appointment announcement speaks of professionalism, excellence, and trust. The reality is much darker: after the shadow of the Mexican cartels, Miss Universe now finds itself haunted by that of the Colombian Norte del Valle cartel.
For its 75th anniversary, the pageant dreamed of a global celebration in Puerto Rico. It is now primarily preparing the most spectacular gathering of cartel-related business ever associated with a Miss Universe crown. But with Raúl Rocha at its helm, he himself was very close to these cartelsIs that really surprising?
