The spectacle of power: Why Colombian politics now resembles a scripted show
In a recent and provocative interview, Luigi Echeverri—former campaign manager for Álvaro Uribe and Iván Duque—offered a scathing critique of Colombia’s current political environment, comparing it to nothing less than a reality television show. His remarks come at a time when citizens are increasingly disillusioned by the theatrical nature of political discourse, and when media manipulation and social spectacle seem to carry more weight than policy proposals or ideological clarity.
Echeverri’s comments, featured in an interview with W Radio (No Follow), suggest that behind the curtains of presidential addresses and public statements lies a performance carefully curated for optics rather than impact.
Luigi Echeverri’s discontent with Petro’s political theatrics
Criticism that transcends partisanship
Although Echeverri has historically aligned with Colombia’s conservative right and played a crucial role in launching Iván Duque’s presidency, his recent declarations go beyond mere opposition. He accuses the current administration of orchestrating a national spectacle, one that replaces critical debate with staged emotional outbursts, misinformation, and polarizing narratives.
According to Echeverri, President Gustavo Petro has turned governance into a performance, where daily tweets, symbolic gestures, and theatrical speeches dominate the agenda. This isn’t just dangerous for public trust—it dismantles the institutional fabric that holds a democracy together.
The media’s role in amplifying political performance in Colombia
Journalism or entertainment? A dangerous gray zone
One of the most compelling aspects of Echeverri’s critique is how he highlights the media’s complicity in this «reality show» of governance. Mainstream outlets, rather than holding leaders accountable, often become part of the show, either by sensationalizing every move or by acting as passive broadcasters of presidential narratives.
This symbiosis between media and government creates a landscape in which facts become subjective, public memory is manipulated, and dissent is easily discredited through dramatized responses. Echeverri laments the erosion of traditional checks and balances, where journalists once served as mediators of truth and analysis.
From policy to personality: A dangerous shift in political narrative
How emotion has replaced action in Colombian governance
Political leadership in Colombia has shifted focus from policy effectiveness to personality-driven theatrics. This transformation is not unique to Colombia, but in a nation with complex socio-economic challenges, its effects are particularly damaging. By foregrounding personal charisma and emotional rhetoric, leaders distract the public from structural failings, rising insecurity, and institutional decay.
Echeverri argues that true reform is sidelined in favor of viral moments and Twitter battles. «We are governed through the logic of spectacle, not statecraft,» he notes, underlining a broader trend in Latin American populism.
The dangerous erosion of institutional legitimacy
When politics becomes theater, institutions become props
In Echeverri’s eyes, the real victims of this performative politics are Colombia’s democratic institutions. From the judiciary to the legislative branch, every pillar of governance is reduced to a supporting actor in a reality show dominated by the executive.
This erosion isn’t just symbolic. Public faith in courts, congress, and regulatory agencies has plummeted, and this vacuum of legitimacy is easily exploited by demagogues and opportunists. What replaces it is not stronger democracy, but rather a volatile blend of direct communication, online tribalism, and political branding.
Public reactions to Echeverri’s statements: Polarization intensifie
Applause and outrage in equal measure
Echeverri’s comments have sparked widespread reactions across Colombia’s social and political spectrum. Supporters of the current administration accused him of hypocrisy, citing his own participation in past political campaigns that utilized media savvy and emotional appeals. Others hailed his words as a rare moment of honest reflection from within the elite ranks of Colombia’s political class.
Regardless of stance, one thing is clear: Colombia’s public discourse is more polarized than ever, and Echeverri’s remarks have only intensified this divide.
International comparisons: Is Colombia following a global trend?
Reality TV-style governance around the world
Luigi Echeverri’s analysis resonates beyond Colombian borders. From the United States under Donald Trump to Brazil under Jair Bolsonaro, many democracies have experienced similar shifts toward performative governance. The rise of social media, 24-hour news cycles, and meme politics have enabled leaders to dominate attention while circumventing traditional institutions.
Colombia’s case may be unique in its historical and cultural context, but the logic of spectacle is undeniably global. Echeverri’s warnings can thus be read as part of a larger cautionary tale about the future of democratic engagement.
Behind the scenes: Who benefits from the political spectacle?
The power structures behind the curtain
While the show unfolds in front of cameras and Twitter feeds, real decisions continue to be made behind closed doors. Echeverri reminds us that «the show is just the surface»—the true political deals, alliances, and compromises happen away from public scrutiny.
This creates a two-tiered political reality: one visible, theatrical, and emotional; the other opaque, strategic, and deeply consequential. Such a system benefits those who understand and exploit both realms, leaving ordinary citizens confused, disempowered, and often manipulated.
Benefits of understanding Colombia’s political transformation
Why unpacking the spectacle matters now more than ever
- Increased civic awareness: Recognizing the theatrical elements in politics allows voters to look beyond the show and question underlying agendas.
- Media literacy: Understanding how media shapes political reality can help citizens distinguish between news and propaganda.
- Protection of democratic institutions: Identifying manipulative strategies enables civil society to defend its democratic tools from erosion.
- Encouragement of policy focus: Highlighting the absence of real governance encourages public demands for substance over style.
- Cross-national learning: Colombia’s experience offers valuable lessons for other nations facing similar performative shifts in politics.
