Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha, president of the Miss Universe Organization, responded to accusations by former judge Omar Harfouch against winner Fátima Bosch. Harfouch called her a 'false winner' and alleged pressure to vote for her due to business ties. Rocha labeled him an opportunist and announced legal actions.
Fátima Bosch's victory as Miss Universe 2025 has sparked controversy, particularly from statements by Omar Harfouch, pianist and former judge of the pageant. Harfouch resigned before the coronation and denounced a 'secret voting' to select the 30 finalists without official jury input. On Instagram, he claimed Raúl Rocha and his son urged him in Dubai to vote for Bosch 'because it will be good for our business', linking the result to alleged ties between Rocha and Bernardo Bosch Hernández, the winner's father and Pemex advisor.
Rocha, owner of 50% of Miss Universe and former Casino Royale proprietor, rejected the accusations in an Instagram message. 'The only truth that remains is that no judge resigned. The musician, whom nobody knew, turned out to be an opportunist', he wrote, expressing pity for Harfouch, whom he described as someone hiding behind dark glasses. Rocha urged deleting him from social media and announced legal actions against him for creating AI images that damage reputations.
Harfouch also consulted New York lawyers for alleged fraud, abuse of power, and reputational damage. Other judges like Claude Makélélé did not participate and Romero Britto was absent, but Rocha clarified they did not resign. Regarding Pemex, the oil company awarded a 745.6 million peso contract in 2023 to companies including one of Rocha's, for 11 months and now expired. Pemex denied interference in Miss Universe and explained its congratulation to Bosch as 'popular enthusiasm', noting Bernardo Bosch had no involvement in that area.
Bernardo Bosch, an engineer with 27 years at Pemex, was investigated by the FGR for alleged illicit enrichment of 6.5 million pesos from 2011 to 2015, but the case closed in 2022 due to lack of evidence. A prior administrative sanction was annulled. Fátima Bosch defended her family: 'I admire my dad so much, I respect him so much. He is an impeccable gentleman'. Rocha emphasized that Miss Universe is private, without public funds, and nothing will stop its growth.