As Colombia President Gustavo Petro's tariff war with the US President intensifies, his controversial love life, marred with allegations of infidelity, family drama and multiple marriages, has come under the spotlight. Petro has been married thrice and almost all the unions have sparked some controversy or the other. However, the most scandalous of all has been Petro's alleged extramarital relations with a transwoman, triggered by a viral video and a photo that raised doubts of the two being in an illicit relationship. Here's everything to know about Petro's love life and the tale of his three marriages.
The alleged illicit affair
Petro is currently married to philanthropist Veronica Alcocer, who's his third wife. What sparked the current controversy is the footage where the Colombian President was captured walking hand-in-hand with transsexual newscaster Linda Yepes during a visit to Panama. Another photo which is being circulated depicted Petro snapping Yepes in a strapless blue dress. This has caused massive uproar among traditionally conservative Colombians who are enraged by his alleged affair. However, it wasn't confirmed or denied by Petro that he was the one in both the photo and the video.
How he met his current wife
Petro's love story with his third wife Veronica Alcocer started in the late 90s when the two met at a conference where Petro filled in for a speaker at the event. At that time, Alcocer was studying law and was 17 years his junior.
Petro who was married to Mary Luz Herrán, ten years younger to him, divorced her and married Alcocer in 2003. It wasn't easy for Petro to win over his wife's family as Alcocers were quite conservative and ended up winning their approval. Petro and Alcocer share two daughters Sofía and Antonella. Alcocer has a son from a previous relationship, also named Nicolás, whom Petro adopted in September 2022.
Petro's first love: Eloped with childhood sweetheartPetro's first marriage was with his childhood sweetheart Katia Burgos at the age of 26. The two eloped as Burgos family didn't approve of their relationship. Their son's name is Nicolas Petro Burgos. However, Petro's marital bliss didn't last long and he went into hiding due to his rebel activity.
His second marriage: Met her on the run
He found love again while on the run when he met Mary Luz Herrán, ten years his junior. He was seeking refuge in her hometown. The two stayed married for over 15 years and had two children - a daughter Andreá and a son Andrés. Both of them live abroad and keep a low profile.
What Petro said about his recent controversy
On allegations of his affair with a trans woman, Petro denied it on X saying he was not a gay.
“I am heterosexual, but you will never hear or read a transphobic word from me. Because not only would he cease to be a man, but a human being," he said.
“I have always considered that privacy is the ‘last ratio’ of freedom, the last trench of being free, and I will maintain this principle until I write about myself or die," he added.
Meanwhile, Yepes, who's Colombia’s first transgender TV presenter, is receiving death threats ever due to this controversy.
