This past Saturday, the Miss Puerto Rico Organization issued the following release on Facebook, in response to a series of verified tweets by Destiny Vélez, the organization’s current Miss Puerto Rico for the Miss America pageant:
SAN JUAN, PR (December 19, 2015) – The Miss Puerto Rico Organization is a non-profit corporation that offers scholarship assistance and career opportunities to young women in Puerto Rico. As part of our unique identity, our program recognizes the elements of providing scholarships to young women; the traits of honesty, good character, talent, poise, intellect, leadership, and good judgment among today’s young women; and enables contestants to serve as role models to other young women with similar goals and characteristics.
In regards to Miss Puerto Rico, Destiny Vélez’s recent actions and conduct, the Miss Puerto Rico Organization feels that her words do not represent the integrity and esteem of our program, nor that of our board members, our sponsors and partners, or the National Organization.
Miss Vélez’s actions were in contradiction to the organization, and therefore as a consequence of her actions, she has been suspended indefinitely. The Miss Puerto Rico Organization will not tolerate any actions or behavior contrary to the Miss Puerto Rico Organization.
“I apologize to the people I have offended with my words. I am first and foremost an #UpStander and as such I stand up against bullying. The last thing I wanted to do was to bully anyone. Again, I apologize to anyone who felt offended with my words,” said Miss Vélez.
The Miss Puerto Rico Organization apologizes for the distress that Miss Velez’s actions and conduct may have caused.