Gustavo Petro Campaign Official’s Outreach Rejected, Mocked By Controversial Social Media Influencer

25 year old social media influencer, convicted vandal and now hair-straightener impresario Daneidy Barrera (above left), also known as “Epa Colombia” is a Colombian version of one of those people “famous for being famous” She made headlines during 2019 when during civic unrest, she recorded herself vandalizing Bogotá’s Transmillenio public transit system. Though sentenced to five years in prison, she managed to remain free, and leverage her fame/infamy into a thriving business selling hair straightening cream to her social media following.

Last year, she gained more notoriety for sharing an empanada with equally controversial right wing ex-President Alvaro Uribe (above right), but when the campaign communication manager for leftist presidential hopeful and ex guerilla Gustavo Petro reached out to her in the hopes that she would use her platforms to publicize a meeting between the two, she not only rejected the idea, but publicized the messages, saying that she feared Petro would expropriate her business, or at least make life harder for entrepreneurs and business owners.

“I have to tell you a piece of gossip. Petro told me to meet up, that he and I should sit down and talk, and that we be little friends,” said Barrera. “Friend, I am afraid to leave my company to Petro, I am very afraid that Petro will be president. And where is my company?”

On May 29, Colombians will go to the polls to vote for president. If no candidate wins a majority of votes, the top two candidates will go to a runoff on June 19. According to law, the new president will be inaugurated August 7.

Hello Dane, how are you?

I introduce myself: I’m María Antonia Pardo, director of communications for Gustavo Petro.

Senator Gustavo Petro, former guerilla & current presidential candidate (Credit: Prensa de Bogotá)

I am writing you because the senator is interested in meeting you. It’s inexplicable how those of (corruption scandal) Odebrecht go free and you got five years of prison.

I know it’s late and I ask forgiveness for the hour. If you are interested, please let me know. I also want to do with you your first IG (Instagram) live. You were imprisoned. Who better than a person who has had a second opportunity in life to speak about your current situation.

[Barreras responds with something that can’t be seen, before Pardo continues]

Already a friend of a friend…It’s that you [should] meet with us already.

Not only Petro

With [other candidates] Galán, with De la Calle, with Francia, etc.

That way you can lower the scandal

Because you are left looking like an Uribista [Uribe supporter]

And that frankly is fucked

It’s not convenient for you.

On May 29, Colombians will go to the polls to vote for president. If no candidate wins a majority of votes, the top two candidates will go to a runoff on June 19. According to law, the new president will be inaugurated August 7.