Costumed anti-corruption activist Luis Carlos Rúa sworn in as Colombian senator

When Colombia’s new congressional session began, Luis Carlos Rúa entered the Senate chamber dressed as the White Elephant, a character he created to spotlight abandoned public works. After a five-year campaign of anonymous videos that revived several stalled projects, he revealed his face three days before the vote and earned roughly 124,000 votes. Rúa said the costume will be used only on special occasions, and he intends to introduce a law obliging municipalities to set aside funds for fixing potholes, honoring his father who died in a road accident.

He cast a blank ballot in the presidential runoff and later supported a Senate motion to move the inauguration ceremony from Bogotá to Cali, arguing it would signal state presence in a neglected region. Critics argue the move contradicts his anti-waste stance, but Rúa maintains the cost will be lower than previous inaugurations. He plans to attend the ceremony still dressed as Elefante blanco, emphasizing his role as an independent overseer rather than aligning with any political bloc.