The choice of attire made by President Gustavo Petro during the military parade on July 20, marking Colombia’s Independence Day, has sparked considerable debate. The president arrived at the event nearly three hours late, drawing attention not only for his tardiness but also for wearing a guayabera, a traditional shirt often associated with warm climates. His outfit faced scrutiny, including criticism from former President Andrés Pastrana.
Despite the backlash, several figures came to Petro’s defense. One notable supporter was Senator Antonio Correa of the Party of the U. He expressed his thoughts on the social media platform X, stating that the guayabera is a significant traditional garment and arguing that “for me, the tie is English, and we have nothing English about us.” Correa encouraged a discussion about the choice of clothing, emphasizing that while the tie is a symbol of foreign culture, Colombian identity is embodied in traditional garments like the ruana, guayabera, sombrero vueltiao, aguadeño, and llanero.
Correa criticized the negative reactions to Petro’s choice, calling them “hilar muy delgado,” or overly finicky. He posed questions about Colombia’s diversity and multiculturalism, urging people to reflect on the rich cultural tapestry that characterizes both Bogotá and the rest of the nation. He stated, “I want to discuss the President’s guayabera at the July 20 parade. To me, the tie is foreign, and we are about ruana, guayabera, sombrero vueltiao, aguadeño, llanero. Judging President Petro for his guayabera is overly sensitive. Where is the diversity of the country? What about the multiculturalism that defines Bogotá?”
Additionally, he challenged whether similar criticism would arise if the president chose to wear a ruana boyacense, advocating against a centralism that dictates a preference for ties. Correa asserted, “If the President shows up tomorrow in a boyacense ruana, will he be judged? Let’s move beyond this centralism where the tie is the law. No more! Long live the culture and rich traditions of our diverse peoples!”
In contrast, Pastrana condemned Petro’s outfit as an “offense” to the military and exhibited support for law enforcement officials. He commented that attending a military parade in a guayabera was akin to a general showing up in pajamas during a battle, aligning with his respect for the armed forces.
The discussion around Petro’s attire continued, attracting opinions from various journalists as well. Daniel Samper Ospina, a well-known journalist and content creator, remarked on a segment of the president’s address in which he apologized for a corruption scandal related to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management. Samper wittily suggested that Petro should apologize not only for the scandal but also for wearing a guayabera at the military parade.
Moreover, critics, including political opponents like María Fernanda Cabal, pointed out that Petro’s delayed arrival showcased a disregard for Colombia. Questions surrounding his punctuality intensified since Petro left the event before it concluded to attend the installation of a new legislative period at the National Capitol.
This incident highlights ongoing discussions in Colombia regarding national identity, cultural representation, and the expectations placed on leaders during significant state events.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/07/22/senador-del-partido-de-la-u-defendio-guayabera-de-gustavo-petro-para-mi-la-corbata-es-inglesa-y-nosotros-de-ingleses-no-tenemos-nada/
