Why Luis Carlos Rúa Attended the TIME 100 Next Gala in a White Elephant Suit
The outfit is central to the newly elected Colombian senator’s mission as an advocate and political influencer against corruption.
At the 2026 TIME 100 Next gala, Colombian senator Luis Carlos Rúa made a striking appearance in a full white elephant suit, drawing attention away from the usual fashion-focused attendees. For Rúa, the outfit was a deliberate statement, representing his ongoing campaign against corruption and wasteful infrastructure projects, which he exposes under the pseudonym Elefante blanco.
Five years prior, Rúa began posting anonymous videos on Instagram and TikTok, drawing public attention to these so-called "white elephants." Just three days before the election, he revealed his identity, securing a seat in the Senate of Colombia. At the gala, held on Oct. 29 in Manhattan, Rúa emphasized the urgency of rebuilding efforts in Colombia, which was hit by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake earlier this year.
The disaster left over 200 dead, 4,000 injured, and caused damage to more than 45,000 homes, including numerous collapsed buildings.
Rúa pointed to the ongoing reconstruction as a critical issue, urging both the Colombian president and the international community to take action. He directly addressed President Abelardo de la Espriella, urging him to initiate the rebuilding process, and called upon others to join his cause by using social media to expose the situation and urge government intervention. Rúa's plea for action was clear: "We need the reconstruction to begin, President. It's your work. You have to do that."
Written by urgent.news from Time's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
