Ex-porn star sworn in as senator in Colombia

Ortiz, better known by her stage name, Amaranta Hank, won a Senate seat in the March elections after campaigning for the rights and protection of adult entertainment workers.

According to Colombian outlet El Tiempo on Thursday, Omaña will represent the Norte de Santander region as a member of the leftist Historic Pact bloc during the 2026–2030 parliamentary term. She secured the seat after placing 23rd on the coalition’s closed list.

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The Historic Pact is currently Colombia’s largest political force. Data from the country’s National Registry showed the bloc won 22.72 per cent of the Senate vote, receiving more than 4.4 million ballots and securing 25 seats.

Omaña, who worked as a journalist before joining the adult film industry, said her past should not stop her from serving in public office.

According to Infobae Colombia, she believes women who have worked in the sexual economy contribute to the country’s economy and deserve legal recognition instead of being stigmatised.

She also responded to people who questioned whether she was fit for office in a TikTok video after her election victory.

“¿Por qué una mujer que estuvo en la industria para adultos no puede aspirar a un cargo de elección popular?” she asked, which translates to why a woman who was in the adult industry cannot aspire to a popularly elected office.

Omaña, who was born in the city of Cúcuta, said her work in the Senate will also focus on mental health and preventing sexual abuse.

Her election comes months after she and another former adult performer, Juan Carlos Florián, were appointed to positions in the Ministry of Equality under President Gustavo Petro, a move that sparked public debate.