For the first time, Miss Grand International will choose its new beauty queen in Latin America. The contest is in Venezuela, at a time when the country is in a deep economic, social and political crisis — which has caused some controversy. CGTN’s Mary Triny Mena reports from Caracas.

Glamour, glitter and beauty are the key factors in this event. Sixty competitors from across the globe are walking the runway, competing to be crowned Miss Grand International.

Venezuela is known for its many beauty queens….but this is the first time the country is hosting a major pageant. The Thai-based owner of Miss Grand International says he chose Venezuela to show his support for its people.

Nawat Itsaragrisil told us, “I have decided here because I want to tell them, the people around the world, to see this is a safe country and a fair country, so I chose here.”

Choosing the Venezuelan capital as a location has its downsides. Caracas ranks among one of the most violent cities in the world and people are struggling to survive with record hyperinflation, chronic food shortages and power outages.

Last year’s Miss Grand International, Maria Clara Sosa says “We know about the situation, and in many countries they said don’t come here to Venezuela. But the idea of Miss Grand is to stop the violence and war through charities and to help the country and the world, so that is why we came here, to help people .”

More than two hundred people came from Thailand to work on the production crew.

The Miss Grand Organization says the cost of the production is two million dollars. It will be televised without local sponsorship and tickets to the finale, which will be at the Poliedro Arena, are free.

Some Venezuelans question whether the Venezuela portrayed in the beauty contest represents the country fairly — or if it serves as propaganda for the government, which is providing locations and security for the pageant.

Diego Kapeky, a local entertainment Columnist said , “It is like showing two parallel Venezuelas – the one we are living in, in reality, and the one we are seeing with this fantasy of this international contest.”

Organizers estimate 10 million viewers will watch the live broadcast of the final event on October 25th, —- and they say that will help bring attention to Venezuela. Critics say dressing the country up for an international beauty pageant may not be the kind of attention the country needs.