On Friday, Lorena Suárez, a contestant for Miss Universe Cuba 2026, broke her silence through a series of Instagram stories to address the wave of online attacks she has been receiving amidst a heated rivalry between her supporters and those of Daniela Reyes, another top contender for the title.
The Cuban model, who previously participated in Miss Intercontinental 2025, expressed that she had never experienced anything like this, despite representing Cuba in two international competitions. "I've competed internationally twice for Cuba and have never felt so much hate as I do now," she shared in one of her posts.
What pains her the most, according to her own words, is the source of these attacks. "It hurts the most that it comes from my own community and from people within the pageant world who once encouraged me to compete," said the 23-year-old.
Rising Tensions Among Fans
Suárez criticized the dynamics that have emerged among the fan bases of both contestants, denouncing the notion of using one woman to undermine another. "I understand everyone has their favorite, but I don't get the need to put one woman down to elevate another. We're all Cuban women chasing a dream, working hard, and giving our best. We are human. We have feelings," she wrote.
In a further appeal, Suárez directly asked her own followers to avoid engaging in hostile responses. "To my fans, I sincerely ask you not to respond with hate even if you see negative comments about me. I don't want my name to be used to attack anyone or to continue fueling something that is hurting us all," she expressed.
Competition Heats Up
The online clash between the supporters of both contestants has reached a point that Suárez herself described as out of control. Daniela Reyes, a Cuban influencer and YouTuber who announced her candidacy on May 29, is currently leading the Miss Universe Cuba 2026 favorites ranking by Missosology Cuba, with 16,600 interactions compared to Suárez's 1,200, placing her in fourth.
Despite the hostile environment, Lorena Suárez made it clear that she has no intention of stepping down from the competition. In another story, accompanied by an image of herself on the pageant stage wearing a blue beaded dress with the Cuban flag in the background, she wrote: "I'm here. I'm going for my dreams, and nothing and no one will stop me. I'm Cuban, and if anything defines us, it's that this isn't over until the end."
Looking Ahead to the Finals
Miss Universe Cuba 2026 features 20 contestants chosen from over 100 hopefuls during in-person auditions held in Miami in April. The previous edition also sparked significant controversy when the official Cuban press attacked winner Lina Luaces, daughter of Lili Estefan, falsely claiming she was not born in Cuba.
The final is set for August 12th in Miami, and the winner will represent Cuba in Miss Universe 2026, scheduled for November in Puerto Rico.
Understanding the Miss Universe Cuba 2026 Controversy
What sparked the controversy surrounding Lorena Suárez?
The controversy began due to a rivalry between the supporters of Lorena Suárez and Daniela Reyes, both leading contenders for Miss Universe Cuba 2026. This rivalry has led to online attacks against Suárez, which she addressed publicly.
How has Lorena Suárez responded to the online attacks?
Lorena Suárez responded by urging her followers not to engage in hate and expressed her disappointment at the attacks coming from her own community. She emphasized the importance of not putting one woman down to elevate another.
Who is leading the Miss Universe Cuba 2026 favorites ranking?
Currently, Daniela Reyes is leading the Miss Universe Cuba 2026 favorites ranking according to Missosology Cuba, with a significant number of interactions on social media compared to other contestants.