Colombian court bans far-right candidate from using national soccer jersey as symbol

A Bogotá judge has issued a ban preventing far-right presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella from using Colombia's national soccer team jersey as a symbol for his political party. The ruling follows a complaint from a leftist candidate who accused De la Espriella of appropriating the national symbol, a move reminiscent of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's tactics.

De la Espriella, a 47-year-old lawyer and frontrunner in the upcoming presidential runoff election, had frequently appeared in public wearing the national team's colors. His campaign, which uses the slogan "El Tigre" (The Tiger) and features a distinctive military salute, has embraced the jersey as a symbol of patriotism, resonating with his right-wing supporters.

The controversy highlights the potent symbolism of national identity in political campaigns. While De la Espriella's base views his use of the jersey as a patriotic display, it has caused discomfort among leftist supporters. The ban comes just days before the World Cup begins, adding another layer of tension to the already heated political climate in Colombia.