Raúl Rocha Cantú, the Mexican billionaire businessman and co-owner of the Miss Universe Organisation, is in deep legal water. Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for him as part of an ongoing investigation into grave allegations. The attorney general’s office confirmed that Rocha Cantú is under investigation for drug, gun, and fuel trafficking between Guatemala and Mexico, contributing to the growing saga surrounding the beauty pageant.
Rocha Cantú, who owns the other half of the Miss Universe Organisation with Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, has categorically denied any illegal activities. He called these allegations “entirely untrue,” even before the Arizona attorney general’s office confirmed that they were investigating him. The denial came shortly before confirmation of the arrest warrant was announced. This topic has been the focal point of much discussion in the public debate.
The state attorney general’s office announced that it has issued arrest orders for 13 people. This list includes Rocha Cantú. The allegations against him have sparked a firestorm of public outrage. This is especially true given his extensive business interests across several sectors, including industry and casinos, as well as his connection to Pemex, the Mexican state oil company.
As Rocha Cantú battles these disturbing charges, Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip has come under fire in an unrelated scandal. A Baltimore plastic surgeon has sued her for fraud. This fractious legal situation is indicative of the bigger issues afflicting the Miss Universe Organisation, far from only Rocha Cantú’s ongoing litigation.
Rocha Cantú has consistently tried to distance himself from any bad optics about his business connections. He and Fátima Bosch’s father have publicly denied any personal business connections, despite Bosch’s father having worked for decades at Pemex. Fátima Bosch recently won the Miss Universe title, adding another layer of attention to the ongoing investigations into the organisation’s co-owners.
Public reports began to emerge about Rocha Cantú and his organization, leading to even greater scrutiny of his operations, which raised even greater concern. He faces an uphill battle with the pending indictment, and he continues to proclaim his innocence of the charges that have been brought against him.
“It is completely false that I have an arrest warrant.” – Raúl Rocha Cantú