Days before the presidential runoff, a court ruling prevents Abelardo De la Espriella and his supporters from using the Colombian national team jersey at campaign events.
In light of this situation, the communist candidate Iván Cepeda, who will also compete in the runoff on June 21, pressured the Colombian Football Federation (FCF) to take action, revealing a coordinated strategy to strip the opposition of its symbols of unity.
In what is interpreted as a frontal attack on national identity and on freedom of expression, the 120th Municipal Criminal Court of Bogotá has issued a precautionary measure that temporarily prohibits the right-wing candidate, Abelardo De la Espriella, and his party, Defensores de la Patria, from using the national football team's uniform in their campaign activities.
This judicial decision arises at a critical moment for the nation, just when patriotic fervor is at its peak and citizens seek refuge in their symbols amid the management of the current and delusional President Petro. The court order is categorical and aims to halt the unstoppable advance of the patriotic candidate: "It is ordered that the presidential candidate Abelardo Gabriel de la Espriella and the political party Defensores de la Patria immediately refrain from using or displaying (...) the official jersey of the Colombian National Football Team".
This ruling responds to a tutela action filed by citizen Wilman Ramiro Bocanegra Calderón, who, under the pretext of protecting the "right to equality, non-discrimination, the right to choose and be chosen", has served as an instrument for this legal assault.
The trigger for this censorship was the massive show of support received by De la Espriella last Sunday during the elections, where thousands of supporters went to the polls wearing the yellow jersey. After the day, a large celebration at the Malecón del Río de Barranquilla confirmed the right-wing candidate's advance to the presidential runoff, a fact that sparked fear among the left.
Despite media and political pressure, the FCF clarified in a statement issued on Monday that it does not have legal authority to restrict the use of a garment that can be freely purchased by any citizen. However, the entity lamented that the national symbol, which represents "discipline, sport, teamwork, and the ability of our players", is embroiled in political disputes unrelated to the playing field.
This judicial blockade occurs just one week before the 2026 World Cup begins, an event that has sparked enthusiasm among Colombians for the Tricolor. While justice attempts to silence patriotism, the team led by Néstor Lorenzo is preparing for its debut on June 17 against Uzbekistan at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where it will be in Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
