Venezuela may not participate in 'Miss Universe' pageant

published: Thursday | May 15, 2003 CARACAS, Venezuela (AP):

VENEZUELA, CONSIDERED by many to be the world capital for beauty queens, may not be able to participate in this year's 'Miss Universe' pageant due to a lack of United States (U.S.) dollars.

Osmel Sousa, president of the Miss Venezuela Organisation, said Tuesday he is "very worried" because foreign exchange controls have prevented the organisation from buying US$80,000 needed to pay expenses for the pageant.

In the last 24 years, contestants prepared by the Miss Venezuela Organisation have won the three most important international beauty contests 12 times -- more than any other country.

Venezuela has won four 'Miss Universe' crowns, five 'Miss World' crowns and three 'Miss International' crowns.

President Hugo Chavez's government imposed foreign exchange controls on January 21 to stop a sharp decline in foreign reserves.

Since sales of U.S. dollars were suspended, Venezuela's exchange controls committee, or Cadivi, has granted just over US$100 million to local businesses. Usually, monthly dollar sales top US$1 billion.

"We have had some inconveniences due to the dollar problem," Sousa told the local Globovision television channel. "We haven't been able to do all the things we need to do bring our representative to the Miss Universe" pageant.

Mariangel Ruiz, a tall 23-year-old brunette, is Venezuela's contender in the 2003 Miss Universe pageant, slated to be held on June 3 in Panama.