Ay Dios Mío Miami: Miss Carnaval's Car Towed On Calle Ocho

MIAMI, FL — As the reigning Miss Carnaval Miami, Camila Cuesta enjoys a lot of perks in her adopted city of Miami, but parking is evidently not one of them.

The vivacious Cuban-born Cuesta was attending a press conference on Wednesday to help announce the selection of Latin superstars Ricky y Mau as the 2020 Kings of Carnaval when the queen discovered her silver Nissan missing from the spot where she left it along Calle Ocho. See also America's Largest Hispanic Street Party Draws Thousands In Miami

"I don't know what to do. I've never had my car towed," the 19-year-old confided to Patch as she tried to find out from a city of Miami parking enforcement officer where her car was towed — and more importantly, how she could get it back.

Cuesta had been parked under a sign that allows public parking during only part of the day — unfortunately just not the part she picked — and parking for tour buses at other times.

Miami's iconic Calle Ocho (8 Street) was the very same street where Cuesta and her court presided over the nation's largest Hispanic street festival just a few months ago in March.

How soon they forget.

The annual event draws thousands of people not only from Miami but from all over the country as a 20-block area of Little Havana comes alive with hip-shaking rhythms during the Calle Ocho Music Festival.

Chosen for a combination of "talent, beauty, poise and community involvement," Miss Carnaval Miami is the official host of all Carnaval Miami activities. The winner of each year's competition must be between the ages of 16 to 26 and becomes the "ultimate Miami ambassador" after being selected by a panel of top business leaders, media and civic leaders.

The winner also receives a college scholarship and paid entry to the Miss Florida USA pageant.

Cuesta was disappointed that the parking enforcement officer chose to have her car towed instead of simply giving her a ticket.

"I would pay the ticket," she told Patch. "He was like, 'I towed your car.'"

No word from Miami Mayor Francis Suarez if a pardon is in the works. #FreeCamila