MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's national beauty pageant director confirms the country won't send a contestant to the Miss Universe contest because of insulting remarks by Donald Trump, an owner of the pageant.

Lupita Jones says via her official Twitter account that she was offended and angry "like everyone else" with Trump over his comments referring to Mexican immigrants as criminals and rapists.

Jones was Miss Universe 1991 and runs the Mexico competition. She said Trump damaged the pageant and its tradition of convening countries for an event that showcases "friendship, unity and breaking down cultural barriers."

She lauded Mexico's media giant Televisa for deciding not to air the pageant in announcing that Mexico would not participate.