CNN —Ecuador may have a 46-year-old woman representing the small Andean nation in the Miss Universe beauty pageant later this year. Yajaira Quizhpi – who represents the Sierra region – is vying for the national title of Miss Universe Ecuador. The winner will go on to represent Ecuador at the Miss Universe competition in Mexico in September. Quizhpi is the oldest woman in the country’s history to participate in the contest organized by the Miss Universe franchise. In May, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA resigned within days of one another amid allegations of mismanagement, toxicity and conditions that impacted their mental health.

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Persons: Yajaira Quizhpi, Quizhpi, ”, “, Daysi Laman, Carolina Cobo, Cobo, Alejandra Rodriguez Organizations: CNN, Miss, Miss Universe, Quizhpi, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA Locations: Ecuador, Sierra, Miss Universe Ecuador, Machala, El Oro province, Mexico, Azogues, Cañar, Miss, Pichincha, America, Miss Buenos Aires, Argentina