PoliticsColombian anti-corruption activist in elephant costume sworn in as senator

Luis Carlos Rúa has taken his seat in Colombia’s Senate while dressed as the cartoon figure Elefante blanco. He disclosed his identity only three days before the election, saying he did so for his own safety. Rúa now says he will confront graft from the Senate floor. Among the 102 senators sworn in for the latest parliamentary session were 32 women and 69 men, alongside the costumed activist. He had to navigate the chamber’s narrow central aisle before taking the oath in his white, pot-bellied plush suit.

Colombia politicsanti-corruptionSenateelection

TThe Guardian★★★☆☆2026-08-04 10:00Original