Colombian President Gustavo Petro is under intense scrutiny after a viral video purportedly showed him with transgender newscaster Linda Yepes. The video sparked accusations of infidelity and embezzlement. Yepes later claimed to have received death threats after the video spread. In response, Petro has denied the allegations, condemned transphobia, and called for privacy.
The Viral Video and Public Reaction
The video, which captured the two together at the inauguration of Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, quickly went viral. Petro, seen with a woman who resembled Yepes, was filmed walking hand-in-hand and taking pictures. The video’s circulation raised suspicions, especially given Petro’s silence on the matter.
Married Colombia president Gustavo Petro, seen together with Transgender Linda Yepes. pic.twitter.com/bn6y07OzEs
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) January 27, 2025
Petro, married to philanthropist Veronica Alcocer since 2000, did not confirm or deny being the person in the video. Instead, he addressed the issue on social media. He clarified that he is heterosexual but condemned the transphobic response. “I am heterosexual, but you will never hear or read a transphobic word from me,” he wrote on X. He attributed the backlash to a “right-wing, exclusive, ignorant, and discriminatory society” and emphasized his belief in privacy, stating, “Intimacy is the last trench of freedom, and I will preserve this principle until the day I write about myself or die.”
Linda Yepes Responds
Linda Yepes also spoke out about the situation. In an interview with Univision, she confirmed that she visited Panama but didn’t provide further details about the video. After the video went public, she claimed to have received death threats. The controversy sparked heated debate, with critics accusing Petro of misusing public resources. One comment on social media read, “Your sexual orientation is irrelevant, but the use of public resources to finance your adventures would be of interest to us all.”
Political and Public Backlash Grows
Meanwhile, Petro’s wife, Veronica Alcocer, has remained silent. The scandal adds to the mounting challenges faced by the left-wing president, whose administration has already been met with protests and criticism. Petro’s reform plan, which includes constitutional amendments aimed at advancing social changes, has faced strong opposition, further straining his leadership.
Other Challenges for Petro’s Administration
The Colombian president’s troubles don’t end with the infidelity allegations. Corruption claims involving his brother and son have also surfaced. Critics worry that Petro’s proposed changes to Colombia’s constitution could weaken the country’s checks and balances. On the global stage, Petro’s foreign policy has faced backlash, particularly after his decision in May to sever ties with Israel over its actions in Gaza, which he described as “genocide.”
As these controversies unfold, Petro’s presidency continues to face mounting challenges both at home and abroad. His leadership will be closely watched in the coming months as he navigates these difficult issues.
