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A total of 84 contestants took part in the Miss Universe 2023 pageant and competed in evening gown, swimsuit and national costume. Palacious dressed in a black embellished costume designed by Jorge Salazar Caliz inspired from the Nicaraguan Grackle, a bird native to her country.
Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel, also a past Miss USA, presented the winner with the crown.
Hours before the final, Palacious, who had competed in many pageants before, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram fulfilling a childhood dream to take part in the global competition.
"Tonight I dedicate it to my inner child and to each of the girls who yearn to fulfill this dream," she wrote in Spanish, "even the sky itself is the limit, dream so big that think it is impossible to achieve, because that is where you know that your dreams and goals will exceed obstacles, and remember to accompany them with determination, perseverance and passion."
