Freddy Rincón: Colombian leaders and politicians reacted to the death of the Colossus of Buenaventura

The characters of national politics were not indifferent to the departure of the flyer Freddy Rincón, who died this Wednesday at the age of 55 in the city of Cali. Through their social networks, presidential candidates and local leaders fired the Colossus of Bonaventure.

The President of the Republic, Iván Duque Márquez, sent condolences to the family and friends of Freddy Rincón, and highlighted the magic and strength of the player “that inspired us and filled us with unforgettable moments.”

Several mayors sent their condolences to the family of the Colossus of Bonaventure through their social networks. The mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López Hernández, extended “a solidarity and fraternal embrace to the family of Freddy Rincón, an extraordinary football player who brought great joy to our country.”

The mayor of Cali, the city where Freddy Rincón died, has been keeping an eye on the family since the moment of the accident. Jorge Iván Ospina also asked his secretariats to contact the Rincons to organize a funeral worthy of the deceased at the Pascual Guerrero Stadium, home of America in Cali where he played.

The mayor of Buenaventura (Valle), a municipality where he was a native on the 19th century of the National Team, thanked him for the honor he brought to that place and promised him admiration and eternal love. Victor Hugo Vidal also sent forces to his family and friends.

The governor of Valle del Cauca, Clara Luz Roldán, said that the department where Freddy Rincón was born and died will have two days of mourning and the flag will remain at half-mast in her honor.

Jaime Pumarejo, the mayor of Barranquilla — the current headquarters of the Colombia National Team — paid tribute to his courage: “those who don't forget don't die, and Barranquilla never will.”

For their part, the candidate for president of the right-wing coalition Team for Colombia, Federico Gutiérrez, and his vice-presidential formula, Rodrigo Lara Sánchez, also expressed their deepest condolences.

Fico recalled the glory Freddy Rincón gave to Colombians at the 1990 World Cup, “when he scored one of the most spectacular goals we will ever forget.” Lara Sanchez assured that she remembers that note as if it had been yesterday.

The other promoters of Federico Gutiérrez's campaign have also extended their feelings of regret over Freddy Rincón's departure. For example, the former mayor of Barranquilla and former governor of the Atlantic, Alejandro Char, sent a “loving hug for his family and friends.”

For her part, the director of the U Party, Dilian Francisca Toro, shared a photo of herself while she was governor of Valle del Cauca, in which the former player of the Colombian National Team appears. He described him as “a sensitive and committed human being in the social field”.

Enrique Peñalosa, former mayor of Bogotá, mourned the death of a player who “helped our national team so much and gave us so much joy.” Conservative leader David Barguil wished him to shine in the sky as he did on Earth.

The presidential candidate for the Centro Esperanza Coalition, Sergio Fajardo, shared the video of Freddy Rincón's goal against Germany in Italy 90. He described it as “the most important and beautiful goal in the history of Colombia”.

For his part, his vice-presidential formula, Luis Gilberto Murillo, shared a photograph of him with the flyer and highlighted “his leadership and teamwork capacity”.

Other leaders of this center-right coalition also extended their condolences. For example, the former governor of Boyacá, Carlos Amaya, highlighted the “pride, discipline and talent” of the deceased flyer. Juan Manuel Galán pointed out that Italy's 90th goal will be kept forever “in Colombia's emotional memory.”

Senator Jorge Enrique Robledo pointed out that Freddy Rincón's life is “another proof that Colombians are a people of the highest capacity.” The former Minister of Health, Alejandro Gaviria, thanked him for “making our lives happy”.

Colombia's presidential candidate for the Historic Pact, Gustavo Petro, called Freddy Rincón's death “regrettable” and wanted him to take with him some of the joy it produced in people.

His vice-presidential formula, Francia Márquez Mina, shared a photograph of the flyer during his time in Cali's America and thanked him “for inspiring so many young people to get ahead through football.”

Camilo Romero, former governor of Nariño and former left-wing coalition pre-candidate, took the opportunity to show off his photograph with Rincón, when he participated in an event sponsored by his government.

Senator Armando Benedetti, Gustavo Petro's right-hand man during his presidential aspiration, said that “he will always live in the memories of his family and all football fans.” Christian pastor Alfredo Saade recalled the last time he saw him alive.

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