Colombian President Gustavo Petro Posts Controversial Tweet About Juan Guillermo Cuadrado's Father

President Gustavo Petro used his X account to suggest that the men who killed footballer Juan Guillermo Cuadrado’s father were likely "armed traffickers who dominate the region," adding that those same figures are now "back in power, this time nationally." The tweet came a day after Cuadrado and teammate Yerry Mina called presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella to express support following Colombia’s elimination from the World Cup.

Petro’s message was widely criticised as a political jab at the players, who had praised de la Espriella. In response, fellow Colombian midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero posted on X, "¡¡Lo cortés no quita lo caballero!!," a remark interpreted as a rebuke of Petro’s tone.

The episode links Colombia’s football disappointment with ongoing political tensions, highlighting how the president’s comments sparked debate across social media and among sports figures.