Colombia’s elephant-costumed anti-corruption activist sworn in as senator
Luis Carlos Rúa, a Colombian activist known for his 'White Elephant' social media persona, has been sworn into the Senate. He gained popularity by exposing abandoned and overpriced public infrastructure projects.
Why it matters
It highlights a growing trend of unconventional, internet-native political figures using performance art to challenge government corruption.
Luis Carlos Rúa: ‘The inauguration day was spectacular because nothing like it had ever happened anywhere in the world.’ Photograph: Elefante Blanco Luis Carlos Rúa: ‘The inauguration day was spectacular because nothing like it had ever happened anywhere in the world.’ Photograph: Elefante Blanco Colombia Colombia’s elephant-costumed anti-corruption activist sworn in as senator Luis Carlos Rúa revealed himself to be Elefante blanco just three days before election for ‘his own safety’. Now he is tackling graft from senate floor
Tiago Rogero South America correspondent Tue 4 Aug 2026 06.00 EDT Last modified on Tue 4 Aug 2026 06.05 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google When 102 senators were sworn in for Colombia’s latest parliamentary session, they included 32 women, 69 men – and one cartoon elephant.
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