Mexico’s Attorney General's Office (FGR) has reportedly charged Raúl Rocha, president and co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, with participation in an organized criminal enterprise accused of trafficking drugs, weapons and stolen fuel between Guatemala and Mexico.
Allegations and investigation
According to Mexican federal authorities, investigators say Rocha — a Mexican businessman who also serves as a Guatemalan consul in Mexico — is considered a leader in a network that allegedly moved stolen fuel by boat along the Usumacinta River and then transported it by truck to Querétaro. On Aug. 6, Yazmín Mayoral Marín, an agent in Mexico’s Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime, requested an arrest warrant charging Rocha with organized crime tied to drug and firearm trafficking.
Federal raids on several private residences are reported to have uncovered accounting records and other documents that investigators say show monetary contributions to the criminal network tied to Rocha, including a recorded entry for 2.1 million pesos.
In the arrest warrant, prosecutors allege members of the purported network maintain connections with officials across multiple levels of government to facilitate the sale of hydrocarbons, narcotics and large quantities of weapons. Federal sources say Rocha approached prosecutors in October seeking a plea agreement in which he would provide information in exchange for immunity from prosecution.
Miss Universe fallout
These criminal allegations arrive amid a turbulent Miss Universe 2025 cycle. In early November, several contestants walked out of a pre-pageant event after an executive publicly criticized Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, who went on to win the title. The same executive was later sanctioned and barred from participating further in the competition.
Three days before the final show, musician and judge Omar Harfouch resigned from the judging panel, alleging on social media that an "impromptu jury" had been formed to preselect finalists before the preliminary round; the organization denied those claims. Harfouch also alleged a contestant had an inappropriate relationship with a member of the selection committee and said he resigned after requesting transparency from Rocha, which he says was not provided.
In a Nov. 24 interview with a Mexican journalist, Rocha acknowledged his frustrations since acquiring the pageant in January 2024, saying he was "so fed up" and was "looking for someone to pass it on." The 2025 pageant featured delegates from 136 countries.
Status and context
Neither Rocha nor the Miss Universe Organization has publicly responded to requests for comment. These are allegations under investigation by Mexican authorities; Rocha is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The case remains active and further developments are expected as prosecutors pursue charges.
