News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. November 4, 2024: As the countdown to the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico begins on November 16, the Miss Universe Organization has confirmed that Italia Mora, representing Panama, will no longer be participating in this year’s pageant in Mexico City.
The news, which surprised many in Panama, was announced after what the organization described as an “exhaustive evaluation” by their disciplinary committee. In an official statement, Miss Universe explained that Mora’s departure was necessary to uphold the pageant’s values and maintain fairness.
“The Miss Universe Organization regrets to announce the withdrawal of contestant Panama from the Miss Universe 2024 pageant,” the statement began. He continued, noting that “the disciplinary committee, charged with safeguarding the integrity and values of the competition, conducted a thorough review of the situation and concluded that withdrawal is the most appropriate course of action in the circumstances.”
Emphasizing respect for all involved, the statement clarifies that the decision was made with a commitment to maintain the values of the competition, which celebrates diversity, talent and dedication. Miss Universe reiterated the importance of confidentiality in disciplinary actions, stressing that transparency and respect were essential to the process.
The organization also appealed for privacy and urged people to refrain from speculation. “Confidentiality is a fundamental pillar of any disciplinary process. By protecting sensitive information, we ensure fairness and preserve the dignity of all involved. We ask for respect regarding the privacy of our Panamanian competitor to avoid unnecessary speculation that could affect all involved,” the organization added.
Following the announcement, César Anel Rodríguez, president of Señorita Panamá Oficial, addressed Panama via a live broadcast, providing further insight into the decision. Rodríguez emphasized that there was no conflict with Miss Universe and that Señorita Panamá Oficial had worked closely with the pageant team on the statement. “Unfortunately, our country will not be represented in the next edition of Miss Universe,” he said.
While refraining from specific details, Rodríguez hinted that Mora’s disqualification came from an “unfortunate mistake.” He described it as a “youthful mistake” that fell outside what the Miss Universe Organization could allow. Rodríguez expressed regret for the situation, acknowledging the impact not only on Mora, but also on the Señorita Panama team, which had invested considerable time and resources in its preparation.
Amid growing public curiosity, Rodríguez addressed the rumors without revealing details, stating that the situation had consequences for both Mora and the organization. He appealed to Panamanians for empathy and solidarity, saying: “She is a young woman with a bright future and this experience has been challenging. I hope the public refrains from judgment or harsh criticism.”
Italia Mora also spoke publicly about her withdrawal, sharing her version of events on social media. Mora confirmed that she was notified of her disqualification on November 1, just as she was preparing for the evening’s gala. She explained that her departure was due to disobeying several rules, including leaving the room at an unapproved time. She accepted the violation, but expressed her disappointment, stressing, “I consider it a serious measure and I believe it could have been addressed with a warning or a discussion.”
The news of her departure has been emotionally challenging, she said, especially for the team that supported her throughout her journey to represent Panama. Addressing her supporters, Mora expressed her gratitude and pride in representing her country. “To my Panamanian citizens, I am very sorry that I cannot continue on this path. I have always kept the commitment to represent Panama with pride”, she concluded.
