Colombia's president makes two former stars vice president: Vice President expresses displeasure, says it tarnishes the government's image

In Colombia, two people working in films have been appointed deputy ministers. President Gustavo Petro has given responsibility to Alejandra Umana and Juan Carlos Florian in the Ministry of Equality. Umana and Florian will now handle the department that works to provide government aid and schemes to the weaker sections of the society. However, Vice President Francia Marquez has expressed displeasure over this. Vice President Marquez said that this is tarnishing the image of the government. Apart from this, these appointments can harm the image and purpose of the ministry. However, the president has defended the decision to appoint former stars. The Ministry of Equality is a new ministry created by President Petro in 2022. Its purpose is to help the weak and marginalized people of the society. Such as women, black people, LGBTQ+ communities, the poor and adivasis. Initially, the responsibility of this ministry was entrusted to Vice President Francia Marquez, as she herself is a black, woman and social activist. But he resigned in February 2025. After this, President Petro appointed Carlos Rosero as the new minister. Rossero himself has entrusted Umana and Florian with important positions in the ministry. Both these people were sex workers earlier but now they are involved in social work and raise their voice for equality. Alejandra Umana, also known as Amaranta Hank, started her career as a journalist. After studying journalism at a University in Columbia, he worked for local newspapers and the media. During this time, he also wrote a book. In 2017, Umana quit journalism and started working in the industry. She said that she wants to understand this world and the decision to work in it was her own. She also shot in Europe and became very popular on social media. Two years later, in 2019, Umana left the industry. She said people working in this profession do not get respect in the society and face a lot of discrimination. After this, she started writing, speaking in favor of sex workers and working for sexual freedom, equality and women's rights. Umana now sees herself as a social activist and writer. It advocates the rights of sex workers and the LGBTQ+ community. Florian joined the industry to meet his expenses When President Petro was mayor of Bogota, Florian was associated with his team Bogota Humana. During this time he was taking care of LGBT issues. In a conservative country like Colombia, LGBT issues are considered to be a very sensitive issue. After this, he started receiving death threats. Frightened by this, he went to Paris. While living there, she did various things like taking care of the children, working in the kitchen. He later got involved in films. In 2022 Gustavo Petro returned to the Florian country after becoming president.