Colombian judge orders far-right candidate to apologize to journalist for sexist remarks

A Colombian judge has mandated that far-right presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella issue a public apology to journalist Laura Rodríguez within 48 hours. The ruling addresses sexist comments and sexual insinuations De la Espriella made about his genitals during a radio interview.

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I have earned a very cool vote from the female electorate.

The first-instance ruling requires De la Espriella, who was the leading vote-getter in the first round of presidential elections, to publish a statement retracting and apologizing for his remarks made on the program 'Piso 8.' The statement must also explicitly recognize the significance of women's participation in the democratic process, affirming that their voting decisions are based on intelligence, discernment, and opinion.

During the May 11 interview, De la Espriella showed a photograph on his phone and made lewd references to his penis size, stating, "I have earned a very cool vote from the female electorate." He then asked Rodríguez, the only woman among four journalists, to zoom in on his pants, asking, "What do you see here, darling? Come, bring it closer, zoom in."

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What do you see here, darling? Come, bring it closer, zoom in.

De la Espriella, who will face leftist Iván Cepeda in a June 21 runoff, had previously apologized via X on May 13. He claimed he did not act in bad faith or with intent to offend but acknowledged a gentleman's moral obligation to apologize if a woman feels uncomfortable. The judge's order specifies that the apology must be disseminated through the same digital channels De la Espriella uses, ensuring comparable visibility to his controversial statements.

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I did not act in bad faith or with the intention of offending the journalist. However, if a woman feels uncomfortable, a gentleman has the moral obligation to offer apologies.