Public Outrage Grows Against Colombia’s President De la Espriella for Smiling and Blowing Kisses Amidst Tragedy

Original article: “Ya pasó la campaña”: crece la indignación contra De la Espriella por sonrisas y besos antes de informar sobre más de 100 muertos

An image of a head of state smiling and blowing kisses to the public amidst a tragedy that shocked an entire nation has sparked a wave of backlash against Colombia’s president, Abelardo de la Espriella. The president, who had been in office for only three days, faced his first major crisis not only due to the management of the disaster but also because of his demeanor and attitude just moments before addressing the media to present the official report on the earthquake measuring 7.4 that struck the South American country on Monday, August 10.

A video circulating on social media shows De la Espriella dressed in a suit and tie, exuberantly greeting and blowing kisses to those present at the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), seconds before announcing the tragic preliminary figure of over one hundred fatalities and hundreds of injuries, along with the material devastation and collapse of homes and buildings in departments like Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, and Caldas.

The stark contrast between the light-hearted gestures and the seriousness of the situation provoked outrage among citizens who are demanding that the new president step away from the campaign spotlight and take his leadership role seriously during this tragedy.

One of the most critical voices was that of former Nariño governor and presidential candidate, Camilo Romero, who took to social media to condemn the president’s behavior as characteristic of a «show» or a «red carpet», completely disconnected from the reality of families who were losing their homes and loved ones at that very moment.

Romero emphatically stated: “The campaign is over, focus on assisting the victims of this tragedy. Lead, then!” This remark encapsulates the widespread discontent regarding an approach that many perceive as out of touch with the national reality.

Journalist Marce Portilla joined the criticism, stating that the president’s attitude reflects a concerning lack of empathy and an inability to appreciate the suffering of others.

Journalist Melquisedec Torres also directed harsh questions at the right-wing president. “He needs to get real; he is now the president of the Republic, the celebration is over; we are in a huge tragedy, Mr. President,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, Cielo Rusinque, former director of the Department for Social Prosperity during ex-President Gustavo Petro’s administration, suggested that De la Espriella “forgot that the press conference was to announce the extent of a tragedy and continued in the mode of a float from the Flower Festival.”

Congresswoman Jennifer Pedraza remarked: “What we needed: a president disconnected from the pain of his people amidst a national tragedy.” In a similar vein, former Deputy Minister Jorge Rojas posed a question: “What are you laughing at, Mr. President?”

On social media, several users compared the president’s behavior to that of an entertainment show. “He thinks he’s in a reality show,” “he believes he’s in The House of Celebrities,” and “he missed doing a runway walk,” they criticized.

According to reports from Ad Noticias, others used harsher expressions to refer to the new president, including “circus clown” and “a complete circus with a clown and a queen”.

The controversy is not an isolated incident in De la Espriella’s brief career, as his previous statements have already raised eyebrows for the light-hearted tone with which he approaches highly sensitive social issues. This background intensifies the perception that the president has yet to grasp the weight of his new position and the behavior and leadership required during humanitarian emergencies.

While rescue teams work around the clock and the country tries to come to terms with the scale of the catastrophe, President De la Espriella faces the challenge of demonstrating that his commitment to Colombia goes beyond applause and cameras and translates into concrete actions to provide support to those who need it most.