Lenin Moreno apologizes for saying that "sometimes" women report harassment "when it comes from an ugly person"

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Possible case of coronavirus in Ecuador 2:07

(CNN Spanish) - The president of Ecuador, Lenín Moreno, apologized this Friday after saying that "sometimes" women report harassment "when it comes from an ugly person."

“I did not intend to minimize such a serious matter as violence or abuse. I apologize if it was understood that way. I reject violence against women in all its forms! ”Moreno wrote on Twitter Friday night.

In my comment about harassment, I did not intend to minimize such a serious matter as violence or abuse. I apologize if it was understood that way. I reject violence against women in all its forms!

- Lenín Moreno (@Lenin) February 1, 2020

Earlier, in a meeting with businessmen in Guayaquil, Moreno said the men are "permanently subjected to the danger of being accused of harassment."

“I see that women often denounce harassment, it is true, and it is good that they do, but sometimes I see that they are angry with those ugly people in the harassment. That is to say that the harassment is when it comes from an ugly person, but if the person is well presented, according to the canons, they usually do not necessarily think that it is a harassment, ”he said.

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Moreno's comment generated reactions against and in favor on social networks.

“It is not about beauty, Mr. President, if you are handsome or ugly to be denounced. Sexual harassment is an unfortunate reality that women live every day, ”wrote a Twitter user.

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"Now it turns out that everything offends them, it seemed funny to me, at no time did it seem otherwise, they all generate controversy," wrote another.

Lenin Moreno