Colombian candidate calls rival 'traitor to the homeland' over comments on cuisine

Colombian presidential candidate Iván Cepeda, of the ruling Pacto Histórico party, has sharply criticized his far-right rival, Abelardo de la Espriella, labeling him a "traitor to the homeland" just nine days before the election's second round. Cepeda accused De la Espriella of disdaining the Colombian people and its poor, despite claiming to be a "defender of the homeland."

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De la Espriella, despite having a popular origin, is ashamed of the Colombian people and is ashamed that there are poor people (...) Despite calling himself a 'defender of the homeland,' he is a stateless person and a traitor to the homeland.

Cepeda's criticism stems from De la Espriella's past remarks about Colombian gastronomy. Specifically, De la Espriella referred to ajiaco, a traditional Bogotá dish, as "prison gruel." Cepeda argued that such comments reveal De la Espriella's lack of shame and his unpatriotic stance, stating that his rival prioritizes foreign interests over national ones.

The exchange highlights the increasingly acrimonious tone of the Colombian presidential campaign. This latest verbal sparring follows a series of mutual attacks and disqualifications that have intensified the political debate since the first round of voting on May 31. The election is scheduled for June 21, with a mandatory electoral silence period beginning soon.

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That can be perceived in very simple matters, the way he treats typical Colombian cuisine, the food of our people. He has said that it is food for pigs and he has no shame in calling himself a defender of the homeland, he is a traitor to the homeland, he is a stateless person.

In addition to his attacks on De la Espriella, Cepeda also reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the Páramo de Santurbán and his opposition to fracking. He pledged that his government would not permit this hydrocarbon extraction technique or projects that threaten strategic ecosystems and water sources. Cepeda also promised to strengthen protections for environmental leaders and organizations and fully implement the Escazú Agreement.

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It is not true, they are not firm for the homeland, they are on their knees for the interests and foreign powers, they are traitors to the homeland, that is what they are.