Colombian President Gustavo Petro sparked controversy once again during a Cabinet meeting held in Ipiales, Nariño, this Tuesday. He diverted a discussion on the dairy industry to criticize singer Shakira over her phrase, "women don't cry, women make money."
Petro interrupted Commerce Minister Diana Morales during her presentation on dairy sector programs to express his views on the commercialization of women's bodies.
"Shakira got under my skin when she said women make money. The body is not for sale; it belongs to life, not to the market. Neither for a little nor for a lot, because that way, people become enslaved," Petro stated to his ministers, who reacted with laughter and confusion.
He further touched on anatomical terms related to the brain, advocating for the use of scientific terminology in discussions about sexuality: "Who said it’s wrong to use scientific names? In sexuality, the brain plays a role; sensitivity is linked to nerves, and nerves connect to the brain."
The president argued that those who sell their bodies turn into commodities: "From there, no human beings emerge, only commodities with use and exchange values, fleeting and evaporating over time; beauty fades."
The speech also included philosophical references to Hegel and Engels concerning the relationship between form and content, concluding with a reflection: "Beautiful forms last a night or two. Content makes it last a lifetime."
Shakira's phrase that provoked Petro's reaction originates from the BZRP Music Sessions #53, released on January 11, 2023, with Argentine producer Bizarrap. Globally, it was interpreted as a hymn of female empowerment and economic and emotional independence. However, the Colombian president seemed to have a distorted interpretation.
This incident is not the first of its kind. In September 2025, Petro caused a similar uproar during another Cabinet meeting by stating, "A free woman does whatever she wants with her clitoris and her brain."
Following these comments, attorney Tatiana Echavarría filed a legal action, and the 66th Judicial Circuit Court of Bogotá ordered the president to publicly retract his statement. Petro complied in November 2025 through a video in which he declared, "I rectify the expression I used regarding women's happiness, referring to specific parts of their bodies and others." Nevertheless, just five months later, he repeated a speech with a similar message.
Understanding Petro's Controversial Remarks
What did Gustavo Petro say about Shakira?
Gustavo Petro criticized Shakira for her phrase "women don't cry, women make money," arguing that the body should not be commercialized and is not for sale.
Why did Petro's comments cause controversy?
Petro's comments were seen as a misinterpretation of Shakira's empowering message, and his remarks about women's bodies have previously sparked legal action and criticism.
How did Petro respond to past criticisms?
After a previous controversy, Petro was ordered by a court to retract his comments publicly, which he did through a video statement in November 2025.