Miss Panama Italy Mora Disqualified from Miss Universe

Italy Mora, a 19-year-old contestant from Panama, has been expelled from the Miss Universe competition set for November 16 in Mexico City due to an alleged unauthorized visit to her boyfriend's hotel room. The organization stated that her removal followed an 'exhaustive evaluation' by their disciplinary commission, but did not provide specific details regarding the decision. Mora contends that her dismissal resulted from a heated argument with Miss Universe Panama Director César Anel Rodríguez over the event's disorganization, and she claims Rodríguez was aware of her visit to her boyfriend, Juan Abadía, who assisted her with pageant-related expenses. Mora expressed concern over the impact of speculation on her reputation, stating that she believed she would only receive a warning rather than expulsion. Following the incident, Panama has opted not to send a replacement contestant to the competition. The Miss Universe organization has not commented further on the details surrounding her disqualification.