BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 17, 2021– The current Miss Universe Belize, Iris Salguero, has been in Hollywood, Florida, for the past week representing Belize at the 69th edition of the Miss Universe pageant. She is the 31st beauty queen to represent Belize in this international competition. Salguero is a 24-year-old San Pedro local who ran on a domestic violence awareness platform inspired by her own experiences during a past abusive relationship. She financed her own high school education and graduated as salutatorian, and she now plans to further her studies with a Bachelor’s degree in digital marketing.

Salguero and 73 other delegates participated in the National Costume Competition as well as competition in other preliminary categories, which all culminated with the final Miss Universe coronation night on May 16, 2021 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Salguero’s national costume was inspired by the Baron Bliss Lighthouse, and during the evening gown competition she wore a dress designed by Filipino fashion designer Jian Lasala.

Salguero is no stranger to the international pageant scene, as she represented Belize at the Miss World Pageant in 2016, at the Miss Earth pageant in 2017, and in the Miss America Latina del Mundo competition in 2018.

Although Miss Mexico Universe Andrea Meza took the title of Miss Universe 2021 on coronation night, Salguero took to social media to express her gratitude for the support of the Belizean people, saying, “Thank you for the love and support that you guys have been showing me.” She went on to say, “I am more than satisfied with the fact that you guys are proud and that you’re satisfied. I am grateful for this experience and I’ve met wonderful women, and I know that I left my heart on that stage.” Miss Belize Universe also expressed her belief in “divine timing” and wished all the best to Miss Universe 2021.