MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Long hands” mayor apologizes for clutching a reporter's thigh

Mayor Fernandez with his 'long hand' on the television reporter's thigh

Bolivia's 'long hands' mayor apologized for this latest temptation caught while clutching the thigh of a television reporter sitting next to him during an official ceremony. Percy Fernandez, 75, is the elected mayor of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia largest city and apparently has a 'long hands' and 'forcibly kissing” record.

 “Dear Mrs. Mercedes Guzmán, to you and your family I want to publicly express my anguish for all the trouble that has arisen. It was never my intention to offend you, nor have I done so”, said the half repented mayor in a message released in several television channels of Santa Cruz de la Sierra city.

Apparently the message was part of an arrangement with the reporter's attorneys to avoid criminal charges.

The incident aired by several Bolivian television channels shows the mayor clutching Ms Guzmán's thigh during a ceremony last week. However the reporter felt uncomfortable and pulls Fernandez hand off, who allegedly reacted saying “let me hold you, Don't be a miser, you can't be stingy...or can you?”

The images also reached the social networks which were overflowing with criticisms and when not insults to the elderly mayor. Activists, media organizations, the Ombudsman and lawmakers demanded Fernandez be charged criminally since this was not his first 'eccentricity'.

Apparently in 2012 the mayor was involved in a similar incident when he touched the buttock of a lawmaker during a ceremony, and even before during the inauguration of local public works he forcibly kissed one of the woman workers present at the event.

“It came as a cold shower for the whole family; even my son in primary school had to face his class mates and my teenage girl was hounded with uncomfortable questions in high school, It was shameful for the family” said a furious Marco Antonio Espíndola, husband of Guzmán.

Espíndola revealed that he met with the mayor to demand an apology otherwise he would present civil and criminal charges. Apologies finally came in the video aired in most television channels.

“I apologize the mayor. It was an oppressing experience, but strengthened I'm turning the page” said Guzmán in Facebook.

In the previous incidents also caught on television, Fernandez earned his 'long hands' nick name. In March 2012, he was filmed trying to slap the buttock of the Town Hall president Desirée Bravo. The very eloquent filming shows Fernandez trying to reach out for the buttock and the councilor preventing the action with her hands while at the same continuing with a speech. Fernandez is smiling during the evasive actions of the councilor.

And before the buttock incident, Fernandez in 2010 forcibly kisses a woman-worker who tries to resist but ends laughing nervously about the situation. The mayor on the contrary satisfied looks at his advisors at the ceremony seemingly hailing victory.