One of Latin America’s most popular talk show hosts is in a war of words with a CNN en Espanol anchor.
Laura Bozzo, (above) host of “Laura” (seen in the U.S. on UniMas) is being vilified on social media for using a state helicopter to stage a dramatic arrival — in full rescue garb — in a remote Mexican village that had been decimated by Tropical Storm Manuel.
That stunt has drawn the condemnation of government officials and journalists, including Carmen Aristegui, (below) who hosts a show on CNN en Espanol. Aristegui talked with two journalists who witnessed what happened. One of them said he saw the helicopter descend, saw Bozzo talking to personnel on the ground. Then, the helicopter ascended, only to come back down and have cameras capture Bozzo’s descent.
Following Aristegui’s criticism on Tuesday, Bozzo went on a rant on her show Wednesday. “I have been attacked personally by very repugnant means by someone who says she is a journalist,” said Bozzo. “Liar, Ms. Carmen Aristegui. You are a LIAR!”
Today, Aristegui doubled down, telling viewers she wouldn’t “change one comma” of her criticism. “This country doesn’t deserve this swill,” she says of Bozzo.
Peruvian-born Bozzo hosted a Jerry Springer-like show, first from Lima and later from Miami, called “Laura en America.” She returned to Peru, where in 2003, she began serving 30 months of house arrest amid a corruption scandal. She moved to Mexico in 2009 where she’s hosted various similar programs.