Colombia’s Josseidy Escalona wins Miss Global International, celebrates J’can roots

WESTERN BUREAU:

Colombia’s Josseidy Escalona came to Jamaica determined to take home the Miss Global International crown. But beyond her pursuit of the title, the 31-year-old lawyer from the tiny island of San Andrés also found a connection to her Jamaican roots and family members waiting to meet her.

Escalona emerged victorious over 28 other contestants at the Miss Global International 2026 coronation, held last Saturday at the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa in Hanover. The pageant, founded and owned by Montego Bay businessman Lachu Ramchandani, is distinct from Miss Global, a separate competition established in 2013.

Escalona’s win capped a week in which women from Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean showcased beauty, culture, talent and advocacy. Martinique’s Sephora Saint-Rose secured first runner-up, while Guyana’s Keri Duncan took third place.

For Escalona, however, winning in Jamaica had special meaning.

“I feel very happy and proud to be representing the Caribbean from Colombia here in Jamaica,” she told The Gleaner shortly after being crowned.

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION

Although she represented Colombia, Escalona feels a strong cultural connection to the Caribbean through her home island of San Andrés, part of the Colombian archipelago that also includes Providencia and Santa Catalina.

She said the island’s history, Creole language, food and family connections distinguish it culturally from mainland Colombia and tie its people closely to the wider Caribbean.

“We have a different history, we have a different background, we have a different gastronomy, we have our Creole that we speak, and that’s the reason why we have that special connection with the Caribbean,” she explained.

That connection became deeply personal on coronation night. Escalona shared that she has Jamaican ancestry through her father’s family and that two Jamaican relatives were waiting to meet her after she left the stage.

Her platform is centred on strengthening Caribbean connections and giving greater visibility to the shared history and culture of the region.

“The platform is to connect people, to hear our voice and to speak out loud about the connection that we have in the Caribbean, about our history, about our background, about our gastronomy, about our people, about everything that we are,” she said.

A lawyer, television host, actress and mother, Escalona is no stranger to pageantry. She previously represented the San Andrés archipelago in a national competition in Colombia, where she placed in the Top 15.

And when asked whether she had travelled to Jamaica, believing the international crown could be hers, there was no hesitation.

“Of course, that was the aim,” she said. “The aim was to take home the crown ... and I’m taking it home.”

For Saint-Rose, finishing second in her first international competition was an opportunity to put her small French Caribbean island on a much larger stage.

“I know that my little island is proud, and I gave all of my best to represent and to show off all the culture we have,” she said.

Even her wardrobe became part of that mission.

“All the things I was wearing were Martinican, and it makes me proud,” Saint-Rose said, describing herself as grateful for the international platform, the people she met, and the cultures she discovered.

Guyana’s Duncan, meanwhile, battled through personal health challenges to secure third place as well as the Best Costume sectional prize.

“My voice right now is not my own,” Duncan said after the competition, explaining that she had struggled with her health during the event.

Still, she said the support of her fellow contestants and the Miss Global International team helped her push through.

“I believe that all of my hard work did pay off throughout this entire journey,” Duncan said. “I’ve been putting my best foot forward.”

Her platform, appropriately, focused on resilience among young women and encouraging them to continue pursuing their dreams, despite rejection and setbacks.

South Africa’s Jade Voges finished fourth and captured both Best Interview and Most Congenial. Her advocacy, which focused attention on femicide in South Africa, was among the platforms that drew significant attention from the judges.

Czech Republic representative Patrícia Černíková rounded out the top five, securing Best Tourism Project and Best Social Media Ambassador.

Latvia’s Alisha Mishkovska was a standout on the runway, taking both Best in Swimwear and Best Gown, while Guyana secured Best Costume.

But one of the event’s biggest crowd reactions went to Kazakhstan’s Azhar Zhumabekova.

The Most Talented winner brought the house down Friday night during the competition’s talent show. With her singing, she delivered a performance that transformed the pageant stage into a concert and established her as one of the evening’s memorable performers.

For organiser Neelam Ramchandani, the staging provided another opportunity to showcase Jamaica to an international audience.

“The ladies had an absolutely wonderful time in Jamaica,” she said. “From the moment they arrived, there was so much excitement, laughter and genuine connection, not only with each other but with Jamaican culture.”

During their stay, the contestants experienced the island’s music, food and hospitality while forming friendships across national and cultural boundaries.

She now hopes for greater partnership with the Government of Jamaica, which would allow future contestants to remain on the island longer and participate in an expanded programme.

“Our hope is to continue growing Miss Global International in Jamaica and showcasing our country to the world,” Ramchandani said.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com