Miss Angola Leila Lopes, left, is crowned Miss Universe 2011 by Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete, of Mexico, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday Sept. 12, 2011. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) (Andre Penner)
Ricky Martin FILE - In this June 3, 2010 file photo, singer Ricky Martin arrives to be honored for his constant advocacy for the health and welfare of children around the globe, at amfAR's "New York Inspiration Gala" celebrating Men's style at The New York Public Library in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file) (Evan Agostini)
Nick Cannon FILE - In a Sunday, June 26, 2011 file photo, Nick Cannon arrives at the BET Awards, in Los Angeles. Cannon said in a statement on the 92.3 NOW website that Friday, Feb. 17, 2012 was his last day hosting his New York City radio show, called "Rollin.". He said doctors had ordered him to cut back on his professional commitments and get more rest. The 31-year-old entertainer was hospitalized last month after suffering from a form of mild kidney failure. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File) (Chris Pizzello)
Kristen Stewart, James Pattinson In this film publicity image released by Summit Entertainment, Kristen Stewart, left, and James Pattinson are shown in a scene from, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse." (AP Photo/Summit Entertainment, Kimberley French) (Kimberley French)
2010 Teen Choice Awards - Press Room UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - AUGUST 08: Soccer player David Beckham poses in press room with the Choice Male Athlete award during the 2010 Teen Choice Awards at Gibson Amphitheatre on August 8, 2010 in Universal City, California. Jason Merritt/Getty Images/AFP== FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==
(Jason Merritt)
Decisión. El concurso de belleza Miss Universo 2012 no se celebrará en República Dominicana como se había conjeturado durante meses, sino en Las Vegas, confirmó ayer la presidente del certamen, Paula Shugart a The Associated Press.
“El sector privado dominicano intentó arduamente, pero hubo muchos, muchos obstáculos” para que el certamen se realizara en el complejo turístico dominicano de Punta Cana, detalló en entrevista telefónica desde Nueva York.
El principal obstáculo, explicó, es la crisis financiera por la que atraviesa el país, cuyo Gobierno comenzó este mes los contactos con el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI) a fin de negociar un acuerdo de monitoreo para enfrentar un profundo déficit fiscal dejado por la administración anterior.
Shugart destacó la labor del sector privado dominicano en su intento fallido por celebrar el concurso, en especial el Hard Rock Casino & Hotel Punta Cana, en el extremo oriental del país, donde se tenía previsto realizar el certamen.
Aunque aseguró que varios países han manifestado su interés por ser sede del concurso en diciembre, Las Vegas, Nevada, en Estados Unidos, ya tiene las condiciones y experiencia para realizarlo. “Nos conocemos muy bien”, afirmó Shugart. AP