From Adult Industry To Senate: Amaranta Hank Wins Seat, Vows To Champion Sex Workers’ Rights

Deyci Alejandra Omaña Ortiz, widely known as Amaranta Hank, has been elected to Colombia's Senate for the 2026–2030 term as a member of the leftist Historic Pact bloc. Sworn in this week, Omaña says she will push for labor and social protections for workers in the adult entertainment industry, alongside initiatives addressing mental health and sexual abuse.

Background

Born in Cúcuta, Omaña was listed 23rd on the Historic Pact’s closed list. According to Colombia's National Registry and reporting by El Tiempo, the Historic Pact won 22.72% of the Senate vote on March 8—more than 4.4 million ballots—earning 25 seats in the chamber. Omaña previously worked as a journalist until 2017 and left the adult entertainment industry in 2019; she later joined the Historic Pact through organizations linked to the Ministry of Equality and Equity.

Policy Agenda

Omaña says her platform will emphasize the rights and protections of people working in the sexual economy. She has framed the issue in economic terms, arguing that sex work contributes to GDP, supports families, and stimulates local economies. Among her proposals, reported by Publimetro Colombia, is a legislative framework to regulate sex work broadly—covering both traditional prostitution and digital platforms such as OnlyFans. She has also announced plans to propose reforms for Norte de Santander, including declaring Cúcuta a Border, Commercial, and Historic District.

“I don't want people to forgive my past or to think I'm better now than I was before,” Omaña told El Tiempo. “I want people to recognize me and the voices of my fellow workers.”

Reactions And Significance

Her election has provoked heated debate inside Colombia and abroad. Some commentators view her victory as a sign of changing politics and broader representation; others say a former adult entertainer should not serve as a lawmaker. Supporters highlight her lived experience with inequality and resilience as qualifications for advocating marginalized workers' rights. Omaña said she feels embraced by her supporters after the vote: "Infinite thanks, I feel embraced by my own. Ours will be a disruptive, necessary and disciplined participation. We did it," she posted on X.

What Comes Next

Omaña takes office as part of a bloc that will influence the Senate's agenda over the next four years. Key near-term questions include how her proposals to regulate the sexual economy will be framed in legal terms, which allies she will build within Congress, and how debates over morality, representation, and labor rights will shape the reception of her legislative priorities.