Arrest warrants have been issued for the two co-owners of the Miss Universe Organisation, adding further controversy to a competition already marred by walkouts and rigging allegations. Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú is being investigated for drug, gun and fuel trafficking between Guatemala and Mexico, while Thai media mogul Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip faces fraud accusations.
Mexican media reported on Wednesday that Rocha, who owns half of the organisation, was among 13 people for whom arrest orders were issued by the attorney general’s office. Rocha, whose business interests include industry, casinos and the pageant, denied the allegations, telling El País: “It is completely false that I have an arrest warrant.”
Jakkaphong, the other half-owner, faces an arrest warrant from a Thai court after failing to appear for a verdict in a fraud case brought by a plastic surgeon. The surgeon alleges that Jakkaphong concealed information to secure investment in her company, JKN Global Group. The judge deemed her a flight risk; her whereabouts remain unknown.
The legal troubles come days after Fátima Bosch, then Miss Mexico, was crowned Miss Universe in Thailand, but only after a string of dramatic incidents. In early November, Bosch walked out after being called “dumb” by the pageant’s director, who later apologised. Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum praised Bosch’s response as “an example of how we women should speak out”.
Bosch’s victory was also overshadowed by vote-rigging claims after two of eight judges quit before the final. Mexican media reported business ties between Rocha and state oil company Pemex, where Bosch’s father works – both Rocha and Bosch’s father deny any personal business links. Sheinbaum defended Bosch, stating: “[Any investigation of Rocha] is independent of the young woman who won the competition. They want to connect them, but they are different.”
