Miss Universe Owner Insinuates Olivia Yacé Lost at Pageant Due to 'Difficult' Visa Restrictions, 1 Day After Her Shocking Resignation

Miss Universe Organization head Raul Rocha is responding to questions about how a 2025 titleholder was selected after the pageant on Nov. 21.

In a livestream — which has been reposted by several pageantry social media pages — Rocha discussed why he believed Miss Côte d'Ivoire Olivia Yacé was not crowned winner on stage in Bangkok last week after she placed in the top five.

The Miss Universe executive spoke in Spanish as he noted that "there are many things that are evaluated" by the pageant selection committee. He then pointed out how citizens of Côte d'Ivoire require visas to enter 175 countries.

"She's going to be the Miss Universe who spent a whole year in an apartment because of the cost of the visa process with lawyers," Rocha said during the interview, as translated into English. "Some of them require six months notice. The year's already gone, right?"

At another point in the interview, he underscored how a Miss Universe titleholder is "the one who travels the most and has the most contact with people in the world." He added, "If they require a visa in 175 countries, it's kind of difficult, no?"

Yacé's fellow contestant Ophély Mézino — who represented Guadeloupe and placed in the top 12 at Miss Universe 2025 — seemingly responded to Rocha's visa comments on her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

"Did you steal the money of my Afro-Caribbean girls? Did you let them compete knowing they would never win this competition? Did you let them participate just to speak about diversity and inclusion?" Mézino wrote. "Do you even read our biographies when we submit all the visa information?"

She pointed out that she herself has a French passport in addition to her Guadeloupean one.

She continued, "My heart is burning, I don't like injustice ... Are you trying to find a racist excuse for the fact that you didn't choose someone who was highly qualified for this job?"

Mézino also claimed that the organization boasted that this year hosted the "highest number of countries who have never participated in Miss Universe" before.

"You steal the money of small territories. You steal the hope of millions of people who don't understand why they are not in the Top 30/12/5," she wrote on her Instagram Stories. "This is the worst excuse I have ever heard."

"I have followed pageantry for a decade now," Mézino concluded. "This is an humiliation, a lack of respect for the contestants, the families, the representatives who put so much energy into your brand. How can you disrespect those countries like that?"

Rocha, Yacé, Mézino, the Miss Universe Organization and the Miss Côte d’Ivoire Committee (COMICI) have not responded to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Yacé and the COMICI distanced themselves from the Miss Universe Organization days after she placed as the fourth runner-up in Thailand. On Monday, Nov. 24, Yacé announced her resignation from her role as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania with an Instagram statement.

She recalled her “greatest wish,” which is to act as a role model for the next generation, namely, young girls. “I encourage them to push their limits, to walk confidently into rooms where they believe they do not belong, and to proudly embrace their identity,” wrote Yace, adding that her commitment to this goal is the reason she has decided to resign. 

“Stepping away from this diminished role of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania will allow me to dedicate myself fully to defending the values I hold dear,” the pageant queen said. “I call upon Black, African, Caribbean, American, and Afro-descendant communities: continue entering spaces where you are not expected. Let us open the way for the brothers and sisters who will follow us. Never let anyone define who we are or limit our potential. Our presence matters, and our voices must be heard.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

She also clarified that her resignation includes “any future affiliation with the Miss Universe Committee.” The COMICI also posted a statement about the action on Facebook, corroborating the beauty queen's formal withdrawal from her title.

“Olivia [Yacé] therefore relinquishes her title of Miss Universe Africa & Oceania, effective immediately,” the Facebook post concluded. “Miss Olivia [Yacé], Miss Universe Africa & Oceania 2025, will formally return her Africa & Oceania sash to the organization to ensure that no one is unaware of this and to attest to this joint decision.”