As Colombia approaches a pivotal presidential runoff this Sunday, the atmosphere is thick with more than just political anticipation; it is dangerously saturated with a coordinated flood of disinformation. In what has become one of the most polarized elections in the nation’s history, the integrity of our democratic process is being undermined by a tide of manufactured lies. From the highest levels of government down to anonymous social media accounts, false narratives are being peddled with the specific intent to incite chaos, suppress voter turnout, and slander candidates. This isn’t merely a byproduct of political rivalry; it is a direct assault on the collective trust required for a democracy to function.
The digital era has provided the perfect breeding ground for this deception, where Machiavelli’s age-old adage remains hauntingly relevant: those who wish to deceive will always find a willing audience. We are seeing a sophisticated campaign of manipulation that includes doctored photographs, repurposed videos, and complete fabrications disguised as official communications. Figures ranging from President Gustavo Petro to international celebrities like Shakira have been swept up in these schemes. Whether these rumors target a specific candidate or the electoral institution itself, the ultimate victim is the Colombian voter, whose right to cast a ballot based on truth is being systematically sabotaged by anonymous actors hidden behind screens.
One of the most brazen examples of this manipulation involved the misappropriation of Shakira’s public image. A fan group supporting candidate Ivan Cepeda circulated a digitally altered graphic suggesting the international pop star endorsed their campaign, using fabricated quotes about inequality to lend her credibility to the cause. The backlash was swift, with the singer issuing a firm, public rejection of the claim, clarifying that she does not endorse any candidate and has authorized no such use of her image. This serves as a stark reminder that in the heat of a campaign, even the most prominent voices can be hijacked to manufacture a false sense of consensus, proving that we must be hyper-vigilant about the content we consume and share.
Equally concerning are the direct attempts to disrupt the logistics of the election, specifically through fraudulent emails and social media posts aimed at the National Registry. Malicious actors have been sending out communications alleging bogus changes to polling locations and voting hours—tactics designed to confuse voters and prevent them from reaching the ballot box. The National Registry has been forced to repeatedly clarify that no such changes exist; voting hours will strictly adhere to the established schedule of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and all official correspondence originates exclusively from authorized institutional domains. Any communication suggesting otherwise is an attempt to impersonate the state and disrupt your constitutional right to vote.
The trend of “disinformation as a weapon” extends to the physical sphere, where videos are being circulated to incite panic about supposed electoral fraud. A recent viral video allegedly showing citizens marking ballots for a specific candidate was debunked by the Registrar, Hernan Penagos, who identified the papers in the footage as unauthorized “test cards” used for educational purposes, clearly marked with watermarks indicating their invalidity. Similarly, persistent urban legends—such as the theory that the pens provided in voting booths have “magical” ink capable of altering votes—continue to circulate. These myths are not just irrational; they are designed to sow deep-seated suspicion in the mechanical process of voting itself, pre-emptively delegitimizing the results of the election before a single vote is officially counted.
Ultimately, the antidote to this epidemic of falsehoods is not more legislation or social media moderation, but the personal responsibility of every citizen. We must collectively commit to verifying information through established, reputable media outlets and looking directly to the National Registry for official directives. Democracy is a fragile construct that dies in the darkness of disinformation and thrives on the light of verified truth. As we head to the polls this Sunday, resist the urge to believe the loudest or most sensational claims. By choosing to step away from the noise and relying on the facts, you are not just casting a vote for a candidate; you are casting a vote for the sanity and stability of our democracy.