Sawt Falasteen - Military salutes and K-pop madness shake up Colombia campaigning

Abelardo de la Espriella's tactics are just one of several oddities Colombia has seen in the run-up to Sunday's high-stakes second round of voting.

K-pop has provided a soundtrack to the campaign of leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda, a senator looking to give his presidential bid a new lease on life.

The left has also attempted to reclaim the revered national jersey, which Cepeda claims was "stolen" and appropriated by his rival.

- Military glory -

De la Espriella finishes every speech with a crisp right-handed salute as he barks the slogan "firm for the homeland."

The millionaire lawyer with no political or military experience has inspired the same gesture among his followers, who mimic the salute at rallies.

During public appearances, he is often flanked by retired military personnel dressed in camouflage, who line up to the tune of the national anthem.

De la Espriella wants to abolish the JEP, a court created by a historic 2016 peace deal with the now-defunct rebel army FARC guerrillas to try the worst crimes of the war.

The political right accuses the JEP, which hears the worst crimes of Colombia's decades-long conflict, of bias against the military.

De la Espriella's speeches glorify the army, and he says he will hold his inauguration ceremony in a military base if elected.

"It inspires passion, emotion, respect," retired army sergeant Jose Espinosa told AFP.

"We're the ones who have shed blood in this country," he added.

- Big cats -

De la Espriella's website claims his feline nickname was first coined in a speech by former president Alvaro Uribe.

The hardline ex-leader, who endorsed De la Espriella after his own party's candidate was decimated in the first round last month, said in 2024 that a "tiger" or "tigress" needed to lead Colombia.

Just as US President Donald Trump did with the bald eagle and Argentina's Javier Milei did with the lion, De la Espriella has made the tiger his own.

His campaign "brings together proposals that have worked" for domineering figures in the past, according to political strategist Angel Beccassino.

Such ploys occur against a backdrop of copious artificial intelligence usage and fireworks on stage at rallies.

"He has strong acting ability," added Beccassino, who authored the book "Abelardo de la Espriella, the Passion of the Defender."

- K-pop fever -

While De la Espriella looks to foment nationalist sentiment, Cepeda has looked further afield -- to the other side of the Pacific.

The Korean pop universe and its loyal legion of adoring fans have injected a burst of energy into Cepeda's campaign, which commentators had criticized for its lackluster tone.

The senator has taken to crossing the tip of his index finger with his thumb to form a small Korean heart symbol.

Younger voters, many belonging to Generation Z, have shown support for Cepeda through dances, signs and videos featuring songs by BTS and other mega-famous K-pop bands.

In-person gatherings have also taken place, mostly in Bogota.

"Their unstoppable strength on social media and in the streets is mobilizing the hopes of an entire generation," Cepeda, a former philosophy professor, posted on X.

"Many of the fans who make up these groups are LGBT people, women, young people, people and minorities who feel greatly threatened by the prospect of a possible government under Abelardo de la Espriella," said Sebastian Solano, a 28-year-old political scientist and Cepeda voter.

- Football madness -

As World Cup season throws Colombia into a football frenzy, the national jersey has become a contested garment.

Just as Brazil's former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro did with his country's kit, De la Espriella has used Colombia's beloved yellow jersey throughout his campaign, much to the annoyance of the left.

Leftist President Gustavo Petro and some of his ministers have worn "La Amarilla" in an attempt to break its association with the right.

Earlier this month, a court outlawed De la Espriella from using the kit for political gain, but the Supreme Court later overturned the decision.

G.AbuHamad--SF-PST