For the fifth time in history, Venezuela has claimed the Miss Universe title as Dayana
Mendoza overcame the worldly field of 79 other beauties in Nha trang, Vietnam. In front
of a global audience of Dayana, once a kidnapping victim in her home country, was one
of four Top 5 finalists from Latin American origins, as she was joined by Miss Mexico
Elisa Najera, Miss Dominican Republic Marianna Cruz Gonzalez and first runner-up
Miss Colombia Taliana Vargas. Miss Moscow Vera Krasova rounded out the finalists.
Dayana told reporters that she plans on making a brief stop in New York City as part of
her new Miss Universe duties, but then she plans on heading home to Venezuela and
spending time with her family.