Black Panther 2 star Tenoch Huerta has responded to allegations of sexual assault made against him over the weekend. In a statement to Variety, the actor who plays Namor in the MCU, has refuted the claims of Mexican musician and activist Maria Elena Rios. In the statement he said:

“About a year ago, I dated Elena for several months. It was entirely consensual at all times, as countless others can attest. And throughout it was a loving, warm and mutually supportive relationship. After it ended, however, Elena began to misrepresent our interactions both privately and in front of groups of mutual friends.

As a result, a few months ago, I engaged a legal team to commence the appropriate actions to protect my reputation and refute these irresponsible and false accusations that can cause great prejudice and damage. Although I am by no means perfect, I know that these allegations are simply untrue. And while I will always work to improve myself, I need to contest claims that are both false and offensive.

I am deeply grateful to my family and the people who have supported me and greatly appreciate everyone who is willing to look at the facts and reflect before rushing to an untrue and unjust conclusion.”

Tenoch Huerta was accused of sexual assault by Mexican saxophonist Maria Elena Rios. In a series of social media posts, Rios originally claimed that Huerta was a “sexual predator” who was being protected by people around him. She said:

“I made it very clear to them when I left their group that they protect the violent and sexual PREDATOR of @TenochHuerta that they did not publish anything about me. They still went to look for me at a concert of hypocrites to avoid scandals for their @MarvelLATAM movie.”

She expanded on this in a subsequent post, in which she continued to say:

“It is very difficult to talk about the emotional abuse and abuse of power of a sexual predator who is loved in the world for playing a movie character like @TenochHuerta. Charming in appearance, the great hallmark of a narcissist + a good helping of victimization.
‘And why didn’t you report?’ They say those who live in a macho country, where justice is unattainable where they almost kill you and still they don’t believe you or justice comes. And no, I don’t want to be famous. And no, I don’t want money because I know how to work.”

Related: Jonathan Majors’ Alleged Assault Victim Granted Restraining Order, Attorney Responds

Who is Musician Maria Elena Rios?
UNO TV

Since being a young girl, Maria Elena Rios has been a well-known saxophonist, who in recent years has become heavily involved in activism. Having been the victim of an acid attack herself, Rios has become a voice for other women who have suffered similar attacks. This led to her working with Poder Prieto, although her relationship with the group now seems to have been soured.

Just like the accusations against Jonathan Majors earlier this year, the response from social media has been immediate, but that was before Huerta had given any kind of reply. Huerta is expected to return to the MCU in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which is also set to star Majors as the titular Marvel villain.