Mexican authorities have launched an investigation into the president of the Miss Universe organisation over alleged connections to drug trafficking, arms trafficking and fuel theft, the Attorney General’s Office announced on Wednesday, deepening controversy surrounding the global beauty pageant.
In a statement, prosecutors confirmed that 13 arrest warrants had been issued as part of the probe, though no individuals were explicitly named. However, local media outlets reported that one of the warrants targets Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha, a Mexican national who owns 50% of the pageant organisation.
While the Attorney General’s Office referred only to “Raúl R” — in line with legal norms restricting the public naming of suspects — it indicated that more details regarding his status would be released in due course. According to officials, the investigation has been under way since 2024.
Rocha did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment sent via his Instagram account. The Miss Universe organisation has also not issued a public statement.
The scandal emerges just days after Mexican contestant Fátima Bosch won the 2025 Miss Universe crown at the competition held in Thailand. Bosch had become a prominent figure earlier in the event when she led a walk-out by contestants, alleging that pageant director Nawat Itsaragrisil called her a “dumbhead”. Itsaragrisil denied the accusation, insisting his words were misunderstood.
Bosch later received public support from Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, who praised her as “an example of how women should speak out”.
Raúl Rocha became co-owner of the Miss Universe organisation in 2024 after acquiring a 50% stake through Legacy Holding Group USA from the financially troubled JKN Global Group. His leadership has coincided with attempts to revitalise the pageant, though controversy has continued to overshadow recent events.
Melissa Enoch
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