Melissa Núñez, the Dominican Republic’s representative in Miss Universe 2026, could not travel to Puerto Rico on Sunday, November 8, as planned because she remains under medical observation following a car accident she suffered with Magali Febles, the national director of the Miss Dominican Republic pageant. The send-off that was to be held at 1:00 PM that Sunday at Las Américas International Airport was also suspended, while both wait for doctors to evaluate whether they are fit to board a plane.
They still have not discharged her so that she can travel, so that she can get on a plane, both her and Magali
Juan Francisco López, known as La Pitonisa, shared the information in a video on his social networks, saying he received a message from Febles about the Dominican candidate’s situation. According to his account, the Miss Universe Dominican Republic director told him it would be later on Sunday when doctors determine whether she and Núñez are in condition to travel to Puerto Rico, where the Miss Universe 2026 gathering is already under way.
"They still have not discharged her so that she can travel, so that she can get on a plane, both her and Magali," La Pitonisa said.