---
On Wednesday, Madeline Bermúdez, the interim Advocate for Women, announced that she has reached out to the Secretary of Justice, Domingo Emanuelli, and the Commissioner of the Puerto Rico Police, Antonio López, following media reports regarding a grave complaint involving sexual violence among members of the Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC).
“As the Women’s Advocate, I denounce this and any actions that undermine the dignity, honor, and sexual integrity of women in Puerto Rico. I vehemently oppose any form of sexual aggression and reaffirm my dedication to upholding the human rights of women in Puerto Rico,” Bermúdez stated in a written announcement, adding that her office has initiated an investigation into this incident.
Bermúdez also mentioned that, given the gravity of the allegations, she has urged the Department of Justice and the Puerto Rico Police to recognize the complaint and fulfill their ministerial obligations.
She emphasized the necessity of collaboration across institutions to tackle the issues faced by women on the island. “From the Office of the Women’s Advocate, we reiterate our commitment to defending women’s rights and fostering a secure and equitable environment for everyone. We firmly believe that working together with the Department of Justice and the Puerto Rico Police is essential to achieving these objectives and ensuring that women’s voices are acknowledged and addressed,” concluded the interim attorney general.
Ana Irma Rivera Lassén, the general coordinator of the Citizen Victory Movement, also addressed the matter. “A letter dated October 24 has been circulated, signed by a member of our organization, detailing an incident characterized as gender violence by one MVC colleague towards another. We are withholding their names as we do not have authorization to disclose them and because the investigation protocols have already been put in motion. Upon receipt of the letter, we proceeded according to our procedures for the investigation,” Rivera Lassén indicated in a statement.
“Regardless of how the letter distributed today to the media is handled, it is our responsibility to adhere to the correct processes and seek consent from the individuals mentioned. In the Citizen Victory Movement, we prioritize maintaining spaces free from gender violence, which is why we initiated the regulatory process immediately upon receiving the letter. Any comments that misrepresent the attention given to this situation are false. Mischaracterizing previous matters that were also addressed right away in relation to the MVC reflects a manipulation of the truth for partisan ends,” she added.
Rivera Lassén responded to criticism from candidates of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) as well. “If PPD candidates wish to announce their candidacies in a bid to attack us, they are targeting the wrong group. I wish them luck with their aspirations and hope they will be remembered for their proposals for the country and their dedication to the truth. That is not currently what they are exemplifying,” she remarked.
Rosa Seguí, the MVC candidate for the Senate, also weighed in on the allegations. “No one should be astonished by the latest admission of the discredit and decline acknowledged by the leadership of the PPD. Today, a group of women from that party held a press conference to irresponsibly publicize information of which they have no direct knowledge. By doing so, they not only invade the privacy of the person they claim suffered gender violence but also re-traumatize her,” Seguí stated in a written comment.
“Twisting facts in their quest for relevance in the electoral race in San Juan, without consideration for or consent from the individual involved, is as serious as the allegations they make. This distasteful behavior reveals the depths of political opportunism. The actions of the PPD candidates indicate they value political gain over protecting the privacy and autonomy of women,” she continued.
Seguí highlighted that the MVC adheres to specific protocols for such situations. “The Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana is committed to eliminating gender violence in all forms, and contrary to what was claimed today, it has defined protocols for handling these matters. This system mandates that the complainant possesses direct knowledge of the facts. The wishes of survivors and victims must be honored. Their decisions should be supported, and their autonomy respected. This is what I have done,” she remarked.
“I want to assure everyone that I diligently safeguard and provide a secure space for those who approach me with any complaint or allegation, always affirming what they share and honoring their desire for privacy, confidentiality, and intimacy. My commitment is and will continue to be to take immediate action that respects the individual and the requested confidentiality. We reject any defamation or slander aimed at damaging my reputation,” concluded Seguí.
The pronouncements from the attorney general and the reactions of the MVC follow claims made by various candidates and volunteers from the Popular Democratic Party, who criticized the Citizen Victory Movement for purported inaction regarding an alleged case of sexual harassment within the party.
As noted in a letter from Karen De León, electoral coordinator for the MVC, sent to Ana Irma Rivera Lassén, a candidate for resident commissioner, a campaign official for Senate candidate Rosa Seguí accused another party official of sexual assault.
The identities of those involved are not disclosed in the copy of the letter provided by the PPD. PPD candidates discussed what they regard as “inaction” from the MVC in previous situations, including a case where two MVC officials, who are also employees of the Puerto Rican Workers Union, lodged a complaint against municipal legislator Joel Vázquez Rosario for workplace harassment.
The PPD highlighted events that allegedly took place during a trip involving MVC officials to attend a political communication course and partake in other related activities. They claimed that after the purported incidents, the victim informed Seguí, who, according to them, merely contacted the alleged perpetrator to arrange a conversation for an apology.
Ivonne Lozada, a senatorial candidate from the Popular Party, specifically confronted Seguí and Rivera Lassén, asserting that they have “chosen to overlook the situation.” “It is futile to possess the best platform to advocate for women’s rights in the nation if they cannot even ensure the rights, dignity, and safety of women within their own party,” Lozada commented.
When queried about the timeline regarding the alleged incidents, Lozada initially stated they occurred just a few weeks prior but later revised that to “a few months ago.”
Present at the press conference were Raquel Gauthier, a senatorial candidate for District 2 of Bayamón; Swanny Enit Vargas Laureano, an at-large House candidate; and Belmarie Ortiz González, a candidate for municipal legislator in San Juan.
In response to any speculations that this complaint could possibly be leveraged to benefit the PPD shortly before elections, Lozada said, “Many will label our complaint a political maneuver. I denounce violence against women in political avenues that hinders their capacity for meaningful participation. I defend this space not just in my party but across all political realms,” stated the Senate candidate.
This situation continues to evolve as authorities and the concerned parties move forward with the necessary investigations.
