Mariem Velazco from Venezuela was crowned Miss International 2018 on 9th November 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. The beauty is a Venezuelan model and she won both her Miss Venezuela International and Miss International titles on her birthday and it was her 20th birthday on the day of Miss International 2018. She is currently studying Geophysical Engineering; she loves to play tennis and also takes piano lessons. She is originally from the Anzoátegui State but represented Barinas State in the Miss Venezuela pageant. As one of 24 finalists in her country's national competition, she was awarded Best Style and Miss Photogenic at the grand final show of Miss Venezuela 2017. She represented a Venezuelan native headdress and an evening gown composed of pearls during her competition. During the speech portion of the pageant, the women were given a chance to express their plans if crowned Miss International and share their personal advocacies. Velazco's speech read: "It’s a very special day for all Miss International delegates, but for me, it’s doubly special as today I am also celebrating my birthday. In my country, we have the custom of not revealing our birthday wish, but today I want to make an exception. My dream, my birthday wish is that if I were to be privileged enough to be your next Miss International, I can continue to stimulate children around the world to read. In Venezuela, I have devoted a great part of my time serving as a storyteller for less favored populations, and I’m living proof that reading is the way towards knowledge. My goal as Miss International is that every child around the world have access to books that speak about tolerance, respect, and happiness. I firmly believe in the power of dreams to change societies and think if everyone of us takes on the duty of reading a story to a child, that child will be more educated and the world will be happier. That is my birthday wish."