MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – Mexican prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Miss Universe president Raul Rocha Cantu over alleged drug trafficking, arms smuggling and illegal oil deals.
Arrest warrant for pageant chief
On 16 November 2025, the Office of the Attorney General of Mexico issued an arrest warrant for Raul Rocha. In total, 13 suspects were being sought in the case.
The investigation had run for more than a year, and Rocha was alleged to have links to organized crime. Prosecutors described the accusations as particularly serious.
“Drug trafficking, weapons smuggling and illegal oil trade,”
said the official press release, calling it one of the biggest scandals in the history of the beauty contest.
Alleged leader of criminal syndicate
According to the indictment, Rocha was accused of being the leader of a criminal syndicate. The group allegedly smuggled illegal oil via the Usumacinta River from Guatemala into Mexico.
From there, the oil was transported into the country by truck. Prosecutors said they found evidence of a transfer of 2.1 million pesos (about 115,000 euros) from Rocha to the criminal organization.
“Members of Rocha’s organization were connected with politicians and officials at all levels,”
said the arrest warrant.
Attempted deal with prosecutors?
Investigators had already requested Rocha’s arrest in August. In October, the businessman apparently tried to reach a deal with the authorities.
According to local media, Rocha offered important information in exchange for “legal protection”. He was also reported to have applied for witness protection.
Rocha himself denied all allegations. Neither he nor representatives of Miss Universe commented publicly on the accusations.
Pemex link raises questions over pageant
The scandal widened as the state-owned oil company Pemex congratulated this year’s winner, Fatima Bosch, whose father works for Pemex. At the same time, Pemex concluded a 745 million peso (41 million US dollar) deal in 2023 with a company linked to Rocha.
Some Mexicans now questioned the fairness of the competition. The timing of the contract signing – in the same year Rocha acquired 50% of Miss Universe – raised further doubts.
Pageant credibility in deep crisis
The drug scandal was only the latest blow to the contest. Several candidates withdrew in protest before the event.
A renowned musician accused the organization of having selected the Top 30 finalists in advance. The credibility of Miss Universe was described as badly damaged.
For the world of beauty queens, an era of scandals appeared to be beginning. Observers said the former glamour of the pageant had faded.
Beauty contest or power machine?
The developments prompted open questions about the nature of the competition. Commentators asked whether it was still a beauty pageant or had become a global power apparatus with dark connections.
They pointed to judges stepping down, oil-company deals emerging and the president of the organization himself under scrutiny as key factors undermining trust in Miss Universe.