Miss Universe is facing another major shock as Raúl Rocha Cantú, the pageant’s president and co-owner, has been accused by Mexican authorities of involvement in large-scale criminal activity.
The allegations represent the latest escalation in a wave of controversies surrounding the global beauty competition in recent weeks.
According to People, Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) has charged Rocha with alleged participation in the trafficking of drugs, weapons, and fuel between Guatemala and Mexico.
Investigators reportedly consider the Mexican businessman to be the suspected leader of a criminal organization that smuggles fuel by boat along the Usumacinta River before transporting it by truck to destinations including Querétaro.
The report states that on August 6, an agent with Mexico’s Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime formally requested an arrest warrant for Rocha on organized crime charges related to drug and firearms trafficking.
As part of the investigation, federal authorities allegedly raided several private residences and claimed to have recovered records documenting monetary contributions from Rocha to the criminal network. One alleged transaction cited by investigators was valued at 2.1 million pesos.
In documents obtained by People, prosecutors allege that members of the organization maintained connections with political figures and authorities “at all three levels of government” to facilitate the trafficking of hydrocarbons, narcotics, and military-grade weapons.
The outlet also reported that Rocha, who serves as Guatemala’s consul in Mexico City, approached federal authorities in October seeking to negotiate a plea deal in exchange for providing information. Neither Rocha nor representatives for Miss Universe responded to requests for comment.
The allegations arrive just days after Rocha publicly acknowledged that he was considering selling his stake in the Miss Universe Organization.
In a November 24 interview with journalist Adela Micha, Rocha said he had grown frustrated since acquiring the pageant in January 2024 and was “looking for someone to pass it on to,” citing constant scrutiny and criticism of his leadership.
Meanwhile, Miss Universe has already been grappling with instability at the ownership level. Earlier this week, Thai authorities issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, the organization’s co-owner and largest shareholder through JKN Global Group, after she failed to appear in court in a fraud case tied to the sale of corporate bonds. JKN later denied rumors that Jakrajutatip had fled the country, though her whereabouts remain unclear.
The 2025 Miss Universe competition in Bangkok was marked by multiple controversies, including a pageant executive publicly reprimanding eventual winner Fátima Bosch, the resignation of judges, and allegations that the final selections were predetermined.
In the aftermath of the event, several titleholders also stepped down, including Côte d’Ivoire’s Olivia Yacé, who relinquished her Miss Universe Africa and Oceania title, citing personal values.