Omar Mateen’s purported gay lover says ‘he did it for revenge’

Omar Mateen’s purported ex-lover says it’s “revenge” that drove the self-proclaimed Islamic terrorist to gun down 49 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando.

The man, who spoke with Univision under the name “Miguel,” said Mateen was angry at the Latino LGBT community after he slept with a Puerto Rican man who later revealed he was HIV positive.

“My reaction was that can’t be the man I know. It’s impossible that the man I know could do that,” Miguel said Tuesday. “I’ve cried like you have no idea. But the thing that makes me want to tell the truth is that he didn’t do it for terrorism. In my opinion he did it for revenge.”

Miguel said he was “friends with benefits” with Mateen for two months, meeting at least 15 times during that period. The last time they saw each other was in December, he said.

Asked why he decided to come forward with his story, he said: “It’s my responsibility as a citizen of the United States and a gay man.”

Mateen, 29, opened fire June 12 at Pulse gay nightclub, killing 49 people and wounding 53 others. Most of the dead were Hispanic. Mateen, an American-born Muslim who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group, was killed by police after a three-hour standoff.

Law enforcement officials said Mateen often visited gay online chat rooms, and witnesses said he was a regular at Pulse. Investigators are still trying to determine a motive.

Miguel said Mateen’s second wife knew he frequented gay bars and that his marriage was a smokescreen to hide that he was “100 percent” gay, Univision reported. Mateen also expressed frustration over his Muslim father’s extreme beliefs on homosexuality, Miguel said.

“He adored Latinos, gay Latinos, with brown skin — but he felt rejected,” Miguel said. “He felt used by them — there were moments in the Pulse nightclub that made him feel really bad. Guys used him. That really affected him. I believe this crazy horrible thing he did — that was revenge.”

Mateen was especially upset after having sex with a man who later revealed he was HIV positive, Miguel said.

“[Mateen] was terrified that he was infected,” Miguel said. “I asked him, ’Did you do a test?’ Yes. He went to the pharmacy and did the test. … it came out negative but it doesn’t come out right away. It takes four, five months.

“When I asked him what he was going to do now, his answer was ’I’m going to make them pay for what they did to me,’” he said.

Miguel said he has been interviewed three times by FBI agents. The FBI confirmed to Univision that it had met with him.

Univision was unable to independently verify his account.