Germán Naranjo Maldini, a commercial manager at Landes, was arrested Friday after a May 10 incident aboard a Latam flight from São Paulo to Frankfurt.
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A Chilean executive was detained Friday by Brazil's Federal Police at Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo after a disruptive incident aboard a Latam flight that included racist and homophobic remarks.
Germán Naranjo Maldini, commercial manager at the company Landes, boarded flight LA8070 on May 10 on the São Paulo–Frankfurt route. During the flight, he engaged in a confrontation with crew members and another passenger, according to video footage of the incident.
In the recorded exchange, Naranjo told the passenger: "For me, being gay is a problem, for you it is a problem." He then directed racial slurs at the same passenger, referring to "black skin" and "the smell of black, of Brazilian." He accompanied these remarks with dismissive gestures and made additional statements including "You are a monkey" and "Monkeys walk in trees," while making primate sounds.
According to Brazil's Justice Ministry, Naranjo also attempted to open a door of the aircraft during the flight, requiring crew intervention. He refused to comply with crew instructions and raised his voice at flight attendants.
The detention was carried out Friday, May 15, when Naranjo was returning to Santiago but made a stopover at Guarulhos Airport. Under Brazilian law, insulting someone or offending their dignity or decorum based on race, color, ethnicity, or national origin carries prison sentences of two to five years, plus fines.
Latam issued a statement condemning "any act of violence, discrimination, racism, xenophobia or homophobia, both on board its flights and in any space linked to its operations."
Landes confirmed Naranjo's involvement in the incident through a company statement. The firm said it "categorically and unequivocally condemns any act of discrimination, racism or homophobia," adding that such conduct is "absolutely incompatible with Landes' values and its Non-Discrimination Policy, which applies to all company employees." The company stated it was gathering additional information to make decisions in accordance with its internal protocols and applicable regulations.
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