A new Miss Universe has been crowned as Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel bested 83 other contestants. Now, the pageant will be heading back to Latin America as the Miss Universe 2023 pageant is taking place in El Salvador.

President Nayib Bukele, who took a break from his ongoing battle against violent drug gangs in El Salvador, appeared during the 71st Miss Universe in New Orleans to officially announce that the 2023 pageant is taking place in the Central American nation.

This 2022 pageant was supposed to happen back in December, but since the Qatar World Cup was also moved to December to avoid the intense summer heat in the desert, the 2022 pageant was moved to January 2023, according to The National News.

President Bukele said, "El Salvador is a country that is full of beauty," and added that it has the best surfing beaches, magnificent volcanoes, and exquisite coffee. He also added that it is now "the safest country in Latin America," alluding to his current crackdown against infamous gangs like MS-13.

"I would like to thank the Miss Universe Organization for joining us in this historic process. El Salvador is changing and we want you to come and see it for yourselves," he said as he announced his country's hosting duties.

Previous Miss Universe hosts include not only the current host, the United States, but also Thailand, the Philippines, Russia, Vietnam, Greece, Cyprus, South Korea, and Singapore. The U.S. has hosted the pageant more times than other countries.

READ MORE: Miss USA Wins Miss Universe Pageant

Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel Promises to Be a 'Transformational Leader'

On her way to winning the crown, R'Bonney Gabriel dazzled everyone with not just her beauty but also her wit.

The Texan, who is the first Filipino-American to win the crown, was asked in the competition's last stage Q&A what she would do to show that Miss Universe is "an empowering and progressive organization" if she were to win the title. To this, she answered that she would be a "transformational leader."

According to the Associated Press, she cited her work using recycled materials in her fashion design. She also said that she taught human trafficking and domestic abuse survivors how to sew.

She added in her answer, "It is so important to invest in others, invest in our community, and use your unique talent to make a difference."

Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel won first runner-up despite the former Miss Bolivia saying she looked like a transexual. Meanwhile, Miss Dominican Republic, Andreina Martinez, was the second runner-up. The former Miss Bolivia also made fun of Miss Curacao Gabriela Dos Santos, who made the Top 5 in the pageant, along with Miss Puerto Rico Ashley Carino.

The Top 5 was an all-Americas affair as all of them were from the region, with USA, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Curacao, and Puerto Rico all taking the Top 5 slots.

Miss El Salvador Embraces Bitcoin

Nayib Bukele's love for Bitcoin has made it one of the country's official currencies. During the Miss Universe pageant, Miss El Salvador Alejandra Guajardo showed off her country's ties to crypto with her "traditional outfit."

The Bitcoinist pointed out that her "National Costume" depicted several types of cryptocurrencies, most notably Bitcoin, which the country uses as a national tender.

El Salvador was the first country to officially recognize any sort of cryptocurrency as legal tender, and with the Crypto-loving President Nayib Bukele in attendance, she donned the costume.

READ MORE: Miss Bolivia's Racist and Homophobic Comments Against Other Miss Universe Participants

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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