The Miss Universe franchise in Colombia oversaw Jolie de Vogue for more than 20 years until 2016, then it went to the RCN Channel and is now in the hands of the coastal businessmen led by Natalie Ackermann, former Miss Atlántico and together with a group of businessmen from the north coast of the country.In a recent announcement, the organization has stated the changed the venue of the competition that will now be called 'Miss Universe Colombia'.
In the official statement it is read: "the venue of the contest that will choose the representative of our country to the most important beauty event on the planet will be the golden door of Colombia: Barranquilla".The new contest, which is called Miss Universe Colombia, has already created a foundation to support different social initiatives in this time of pandemic, which is one of the goals of the Miss Universe this year. They will not only support these causes, but will seek the promotion of new designers.
The new franchise has announced the requirements for delegates who will compete for the national title and an opportunity to represent Colombia at Miss Universe 2020. Out of all the requirements for the new Miss Universe Colombia, the below mentioned two points have gathered a lot of attention as it declines the participation of transgender woman at the competition but only naturally born woman can compete for the title.
12. Have a minimum height of 1.70 meters while barefoot.
13. Being a woman and not having changed sex.
Miss Spain Universe 2018 Angela Ponce; the first openly transgender delegate at Miss Universe stage, expressed her sadness after the announcement of the requirements of Miss Universe Colombia. “I feel enormous sadness. The mental chains of Miss Colombia all they do is take away from themselves as an organization the opportunity for wonderful women to exalt and make that wonderful country proud”, she stated.
Ponce further added, “The decision made by the organization reflects its own ignorance. Courage sisters, I am with you. Never doubt her beauty, intelligence, and our rights, which are the same as those of any other woman. You have to fight it; I will be close.” Criticizing the new requirements of the Miss Universe Colombia, Miss Colombia 2018 Gabriela Tafur also stated, "Repeat after me: Recognizing that trans women are women does not make me less of a cis woman, nor does it endanger my femininity.”
The organization is yet to comment on any of the criticism yet but they have assured that as of 1st November 2020, the next representative must be chosen. The process is still underway and there are several possibilities, for example, that it is chosen through a virtual reign or that it is directly chosen. Senorita Colombia 2020 María Fernanda Aristizábal was also informed about her non-participation in the universal beauty pageant few days ago.