Colombia’s national soccer jersey, once a simple emblem of collective pride, has been thrust into the spotlight of the country’s presidential campaign.
At rallies for Abelardo de la Espriella, crowds flood the stands in the iconic yellow shirt, turning the garment into a visible badge of allegiance.
A Symbol Hijacked
Senator Iván Cepeda has openly condemned the practice, labeling it an opportunistic appropriation and urging his own backers to refrain from displaying the jersey or any other national symbols at his events.
De la Espriella’s campaign, however, has embraced the jersey as a rallying point, encouraging supporters to wear it as a defiant gesture against Cepeda and the administration of President Gustavo Petro.
The tug‑of‑war over the jersey mirrors a recent episode in Brazil, where former president Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters similarly brandished the national team strip during political gatherings.
Echoes Across the Border
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sought to reclaim the symbol, donning the shirt at public appearances in an effort to re‑assert its apolitical heritage.
Political analyst Carlos Andrés Arias notes that de la Espriella stands to gain considerable mileage from the jersey, which evokes deep‑rooted patriotism among voters.
The Colombian National Football Federation has expressed regret that the jerseys are being weaponised for partisan ends, but acknowledges that it lacks direct control over their usage.