By Francisco Salazar (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Nov 09, 2013 06:04 PM EST

Venezuela's Gabriela Isler has won the Miss Universe 2013 beauty pageant.

Isler became the seventh Miss Universe for the country following in the footsteps of Maritza Sayalero (1979), Irene Saez (1981), Barbara Palacios (1986), Alicia Machado (1996), Dayana Mendoza (1996) and Stefania Fernandez (2009).

The pageant was held at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow where 87 participants competed for the crown. The Latin American contestants dominated the top 10 with Brazil, Spain Ecuador, and Dominican Republic among the top placing nations. 

Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico were also among the top 16 finalists.

Great Britain, India, and Ukraine also made it into the top 10, while China, Indonesia, and Switzerland rounded out the top 16.

The president of Venezuela immediately reacted to the news on Twitter and called Isler a "Triumph" for the country.

The runner-up of the competition was Spain's Patricia Yurena Rodriguez who was hailed as one of the favorites early on. Second runner-up was Costanza Baez from Ecuador while the third runner-up was Ariella Arida from the Philippines. Fourth runner-up was Brazil's Jakelyne Oliveira.

Last year's winner Olivia Culpo crowned Isler who also won a number of prizes including acting classes, a year's supply of makeup, wardrobe and shoes. The panel of judges was made up of American rock musician Steven Tyler, Italian Watchmaker Italo Fontana, American figure skater Tara Lipinski, and American model, actress and TV host Carol Alt.

The pageant was also filled with musical performances by Zedd ft. Foxes, Panic! At the Disco and Emin.

The award for Best National Costume went to Nastassja Bolivar who is best known for winning the Nuestra Belleza Latina Beauty Pageant on Univision. Bolivar from Nicaragua also made it into the top 16.

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