The short version
- The Miss Universe Organization announced the 10 finalists for “La Gran Despedida” on Monday, Telemundo San Diego reported
- Puerto Rico is among the finalists along with Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Costa Rica, Myanmar, Kenya, Philippines, Nicaragua, Chile and Peru, according to El Nuevo Día
- The winner of the initiative is scheduled to be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 10, as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations, all three sources stated
- Puerto Rican fans gathered at Plaza Las Américas on Nov. 5 to bid farewell to Jennifer Barreto before her sequestration, El Nuevo Día reported
Finalists Named Ahead of Pageant
The Miss Universe Organization on Monday announced the 10 finalist countries for its “La Gran Despedida” initiative, which invited fans worldwide to organize celebrations for their delegates before traveling to Puerto Rico for the 75th Miss Universe edition. Telemundo San Diego reported that the finalists are Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Costa Rica, Myanmar, Kenya, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Nicaragua, Chile and Peru. The organization stated that the initiative “premia la mejor celebración organizada para despedir a una candidata antes de su llegada a Puerto Rico.”
The winner of “La Gran Despedida” is scheduled to be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The sources describe the initiative using future-oriented language, noting that it will reward the best pre-arrival celebration. El Nuevo Día reported and WAPA reported that the initiative forms part of activities surrounding the pageant, which brings together more than 100 candidates in Puerto Rico and will conclude with the Miss Universe 2026 crowning on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
La iniciativa premia la mejor celebración organizada para despedir a una candidata antes de su llegada a Puerto Rico.
Our translation: The initiative rewards the best celebration organized to bid farewell to a candidate before her arrival in Puerto Rico.
The source's own statement, as quoted by Telemundo San Diego. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Local Farewell Event
In Puerto Rico, hundreds of fans gathered at Plaza Las Américas on Thursday, Nov. 5 to send off Jennifer Barreto, Miss Universe Puerto Rico, in a symbolic farewell before she began sequestration on Nov. 8. El Nuevo Día reported that Barreto told the crowd, “Me voy a llevar toda esa energía para ese escenario universal y yo sé que ese Coliseo se va a caer con todos ustedes.”
The event highlighted national pride and cultural traditions, consistent with the fan celebrations held in the other finalist countries. The sources indicate that the initiative reflects the global enthusiasm for the pageant being hosted in Puerto Rico.
Where the sources differ
All three sources agree on the list of 10 finalist countries, the purpose of “La Gran Despedida,” the scheduled announcement date of Tuesday, Nov. 10, the expected number of delegates, and the Nov. 24 final at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot. El Nuevo Día is the only source that reports details of the local Nov. 5 event at Plaza Las Américas and includes a direct quote from Jennifer Barreto. The sources are consistent in describing the initiative with language indicating the winner has not yet been selected.
What the reports do not say
The sources do not state which country or celebration is leading, whether public voting influences the “Gran Despedida” outcome, the exact criteria used to judge the celebrations, or any details about the other nine countries’ events beyond general descriptions of festivities and national pride. They also do not indicate how or where the winner will be revealed on Nov. 10.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Miss Universo celebra "La Gran Despedida" a las candidatas
- Reporting Miss Universo celebra "La Gran Despedida" a las candidatas
- Reporting Puerto Rico figura entre los finalistas de “La Gran Despedida” de Miss Universe 2026
- Reporting Puerto Rico conquista un lugar entre los 10 finalistas de "La Gran Despedida" de Miss Universe
How we checked this
Telemundo San Diego, El Nuevo Día and WAPA all reported the announcement of the 10 finalists and the upcoming winner reveal. The description of Puerto Rico’s local farewell event and the quote from Jennifer Barreto rest solely on El Nuevo Día.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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