Tito Manjarrez, president of El Nacional, responded to criticism after a video was published on social media showing how he confronted a journalist from the capital city. He justified his actions by stating that he has never "lost his mind", but he has "honor".
The images were revealed last weekend and show a discussion and attempted physical aggression between the retired general and the journalist Luis Baldeón, who, in turn, holds a pepper spray. It happened during a match of training categories.
"I have maintained my sanity all the time and I have no reason to lose my mind, I have never lost it in my life; but I have honor," Manjarrez said, who spoke of "attacks" by the journalist on his radio program.
'Insults and attacks'
The military president added to the radio station "Distrito": "He told me (Baldeón) 'I don't hit you because you are an old man'."
"It has been two and a half years of insults from that man, attacks that have come since we won the presidential elections (in December 2015 we took office) and it still hurts some people. There is a complete video and there you can see all the aggression he has towards me," he added.
For his part, Baldeón gave his version to a radio station in which he said that, "more than a quarrel, it was an aggression" by Manjarrez.
The journalist recounted: "(Manjarrez) was kind enough to walk 50 meters towards me, as I thought he was going to kick me out of the complex. He confronted me and said, 'now, tell me to my face everything you say behind my back.' I don't speak behind anyone's back, but on the radio, which is public and listened to by the citizens. I backed away because it's not about fighting. When he came at me, I ran. I didn't want to fight him because he's older. The timely intervention of the people prevented us from rolling around."
Maruri blocks entrance
The former president of the bullfighting club (2007-2010) prevented journalist Carlos Víctor Morales from entering the Monumental stadium in February 2010, considering the latter - according to Maruri - as a 'detractor' of his management in the institution.
'Hate campaigns'
The current canary leader has shown his resistance to criticism of his management by journalists and former yellow figures several times. In press conferences, he has used terms such as 'bitter' and 'hate campaigns'.
I have maintained my sanity all the time. I have no reason to lose my mind, I have never lost it in my life; but I have honor.
Tito Manjarrez, El Nacional president
(D)