Verónica Alcocer

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Verónica Alcocer.
Alcocer in 2023
First Lady of Colombia
Assumed role
7 August 2022
PresidentGustavo Petro
Preceded byMaría Juliana Ruiz
First Lady of Bogotá
In role
23 April 2014 – 31 December 2015
MayorGustavo Petro
Preceded byClaudia de Francisco
Succeeded byLiliana Sánchez
In role
1 January 2012 – 19 March 2014
MayorGustavo Petro
Preceded byCarlos Arturo Romero (as First Gentleman)
Succeeded byClaudia de Francisco
Personal details
Born
Verónica del Socorro Alcocer García

(1976-05-26) 26 May 1976 (age 47)
Sincelejo, Sucre, Colombia
Political partyHumane Colombia (since 2011)
Spouse
(m. 2000)
Children

Verónica del Socorro Alcocer García (born May 26, 1976) is a Colombian philanthropist and the current First Lady of Colombia since 2022, as the third wife of President Gustavo Petro.[1][2][3][4]

Early life[edit]

Verónica del Socorro Alcocer García was born on May 26, 1976, in Sincelejo, Sucre. She is the eldest of three siblings; she was born into a conservative family in Sincelejo, and her father was a great admirer of various leaders of the conservative party.[5][6]

During her childhood in Alcocer she wanted to be a nun,[7] She began to study for a law degree, but left the course after the birth of her eldest son, Nicolás.[8][9]

She married Gustavo Petro in 2000,[10] becoming the stepmother of Andres, Nicolas, and Andrea, Petro's children from his previous marriages.[11] They went on to have two daughters together, Sofía and Antonella. She has become an ambassador for Colombian culture.[12][13]

Despite being the wife of a left-wing president with radical ideologies, Alcocer has expressed on multiple occasions her devotion to the Catholic faith, and her defense of children's rights, showing herself as pro-life,[14] without expressing her repudiation of any kind the abortion.[15]

Subsequent activities[edit]

Alcocer accompanied Petro during his presidential candidacies, and it is said that she was a close adviser to him when he served as mayor of Bogotá. In addition to her political activity, she has dedicated her time to social activism, undertaken aid programs for children, adolescents and the elderly and stated that she seeks to create a positive image of Colombia.[16]

She has emphasized the importance of the role that she will play as first lady, which is to provide unconditional support for her husband.[17]

Alcocer declares herself an ambassador of Colombian fashion and design.[18]

Role in 2022 presidential campaign[edit]

In June 2022, a series of secretly recorded videos of private meetings of Petro's presidential campaign were leaked, in one of which Alcocer was heard saying that all female journalists slept their way to the top. Alcocer later apologized, saying that the recordings were "taken out of context" and did not represent her ideas.[19]

First Lady of Colombia (2022–present)[edit]

After her husband's victory at the Presidential election on 19 June 2022, Alcocer officially became the 20th woman to hold the distinction of First Lady of the Nation. She declared;

"There is an office and there is a fee. There are many things to do, whether or not it is official. The agenda is set by me, but above all it is set by the needs of the people. From the perspective of an ordinary citizen, I have seen that extremely distant role. I think you have to be in contact with people to listen to them and channel what they clearly need".[20]

Within a week of assuming her role, Alcocer drew criticism from both her husband's supporters and detractors for adopting a white savior attitude towards the Afro-Colombian community.[21]

Domestic initiatives and activities[edit]

During the heavy storms of November 2022, Alcocer was active in emergency response; on November 8, she landed in Cartagena[22] and led a Unified Command Post which also involved Mayor William Dau the governor of Bolívar, Vicente Blel, the Minister of Labor, Gloria Inés Ramírez, the governor of Atlántico,[23] Elsa Noguera, the director of the Department of Social Prosperity, Cielo Rusinque the Minister of the Interior, Alfonso Prada and the director of the Risk Management Unit, Javier Pava.[24][25]

On 24 May 2023 she traveled to La Guajira, to meet the indigenous communities in Uribia and Manaure,[26] where she observed and listened to the main complaints of the inhabitants of these remote areas of the country,[27] as well as promising to be a voice from the people to the government.[28][29]

Foreign trips and activities[edit]

On 19 September 2022, Alcocer and the Minister of Foreign Affairs[30][31] attended Queen Elizabeth's funeral held at Westminster Abbey, London.[32]

On 19 September 2022 she traveled to Japan in the company of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to attend the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.[33][34]

On 29 September 2022, Alcocer had the opportunity to meet with Yuko Kishida, wife of the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida;[35] they spoke on culture and gender equality, as well as cooperation between both countries for means of friendly development between the two countries.[36]

On 14 January 2023, Alcocer traveled to Vatican City[37] on behalf of her husband, to hold a 30-minute audience[38] in the Library of the Apostolic Palace with Pope Francis.[39] Among the points discussed in the audience, both discussed domestic,[40] the abuse of women and children in Colombia.[41] The event ended with an invitation from Alcocer to the Pope to visit Colombia.[42][43]

On 31 January 2023, Alcocer traveled to Caracas, Venezuela,[44] where she held a meeting with Nicolás Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores. [45][46] The main topic of the meeting was the reinforcement of bilateral relations between Colombia and Venezuela.[47] She also had a private meeting. with the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.[48]

Verónica Alcocer and Gustavo Petro with The King and Queen of Spain.

On 3 May 2023, Alcocer and Petro made a state visit to Spain,[49] as part of Petro's agenda, in which they discussed the central axes of Petro administration, such as global warming, education and Total Peace.

On 6 May 2023, Alcocer and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Álvaro Leyva,[50] travelled to London as representatives of the Colombian government at the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla.[51]

In November 2023, she traveled to Venezuela for the second time together with the president, who met with the President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro to discuss migration, energy transition and climate change.[52]

Verónica Alcocer with The Queen of the Netherlands.

On 29 February 2024, received Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at the Casa de Nariño, to later meet with President Gustavo Petro.[53]

Verónica Alcocer with Gustavo Petro during the delivery of lands from the Petro administration in Sucre.

Approval ratings, popularity and controversy[edit]

Alcocer has faced criticism from her detractors, who on multiple occasions have accused her of seeking to monopolize the functions and obligations of a public office; detractors have also claimed that the title of First Lady is a burden,[54] merely protocol and ceremonial.[55][56]

In September 2022 Vice-President Francia Márquez, expressed that her relationship with the President was strong. She also stated that she herself had refused the possibility of attending the funeral of the Queen Elizabeth II, saying that when the Minister of Foreign Affairs[57][58] had proposed her to represent Colombia at the funeral[59] she said she was not interested in attending the funeral of a representative of African oppression and slavery, taking as a reference that Great Britain was one of the most extensive colonial empires that oppressed the African race for many years,[60] Marquez urged the media and the nation to take for granted that she was chosen to represent Afro-Colombians[61] of her nation and to contribute from her position to the construction of peace.[62]

In February 2023, Alcocer joined the celebration of the Carnival of Barranquilla;[63][64][65] this was the first time that a First Lady in office participated in this event. Alcocer had previously been the target of criticism for the celebrations held on the night of August 7 after the presidential inauguration of her husband, where videos were leaked in which she appeared dancing to the rhythm of cumbia, fandango and porro, native sounds of Córdoba and Sucre, native departments of the presidential couple.[66][67]

Alcocer was harshly criticized, after a series of videos were leaked during her stay in Madrid, in which she made funny faces while the national anthem was playing, which was classified by some as disrespectful and rude,[68][69] at the same time she was criticized for dancing in the street to the rhythm of the native mapalé dance[70][71] from the Pacific region of Colombia, performed by a group of Colombian musicians based in Spain.

In January 2024, Alcocer was a trend, after it was known through an investigation carried out by the newspaper La Silla Vacia the budget allocated to its private staff, which included transportation, makeup artist, fashion advisor and photographer, this news caused great controversy, since a first lady is not a public servant, which caused different opinions from different sectors.[72][73]

Fashion and style[edit]

On the day of the presidential election, Alcocer chose black pants with a blue wool vest. When she voted for her husband, she inspired everything from memes to analysis of what her four years in this position will be like.[74]

On 7 August 2022, for her husband's inauguration ceremony, Alcocer used a design made up of a jumpsuit chosen for the occasion and designed exclusively for her. One detail included a brooch with the image of the Virgin of the Miraculous, symbol of devotion and faith; this was made in Santa Cruz de Mompox by designer Virgilio Madinah, and brought together faith and indigenous heritage.[75][76]

Alcocer seeks to showcase the work of Colombian artisans, appearing in public with items such as Metalero handmade jewelry, a bag by designer Adriana Ureta and gift shoes from Norberto and Antonio.[77]

During her state visit to unlink Spain in May 2023,[78] she stood out for her use of practical ethnic outfits, representative of Colombian culture, especially with the use of symbolism of the colors fungi and white.

For her arrival at the Palacio Real de Madrid on May 3, 2023, Alcocer wore an ecru crepe dress, 100 percent wool, decorated with handcrafted appliqués, which were made by Diana Chirimía, from the Embera katío tribe. The fabrics were decorated with beads, by the indigenous embera Gladys Nacavera Güipa, while Cali designer Andres Totalora oversaw the completion of the ensemble.[79]

While representing Colombia at the Coronation of Charles III, which she attended with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Álvaro Leyva, she wore a white dress with headdresses of unlink blue flowers, complemented with a unlink pale pink hat.[80][81]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Quien es Verónica Alcocer García". lasillavacia.com. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  2. ^ Webber, Mary (10 August 2022). "Colombia's New First Lady Veronica Alcocer: Get to Know President Gustavo Petro's Wife". latinpost.com. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  3. ^ Quintero Herrera, Edgar; Flórez Arias, Juan Manuel; Contreras, Camila; Restrepo, María José (10 November 2022). "La poderosa primera dama: el círculo de Verónica Alcocer en el Gobierno Petro". lasillavacia.com. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  4. ^ Leal, Diana (19 June 2022). "¿Quién es Verónica Alcocer, la nueva primera dama?". radionacional.co. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Esta es la historia de la 'desparpajada' esposa de Petro". elcolombiano.com. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
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  9. ^ "¿Quién es Verónica Alcocer, la esposa de Gustavo Petro? Ella es la nueva primera dama de Colombia". redmas.com.co. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
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  30. ^ "La primera dama, Verónica Alcocer, y el canciller, Álvaro Leyva ya están en Londres para despedir a la Reina Isabel II y le rindieron homenaje". semana.com. 19 September 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  31. ^ "Funeral de la reina Isabel II: El noble gesto de Verónica Alcocer y el canciller colombiano en Londres". terra.com. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  32. ^ "El decreto con el que la primera dama Verónica Alcocer fue designada embajadora en Misión Especial; se autorizaron viáticos por 63 millones de pesos". semana.com. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  33. ^ "Verónica Alcocer asistirá al funeral de Estado de Shinzo Abe en Japón". rcnradio.com. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  34. ^ "La Primera Dama viajó a Japón a Funeral de Estado". lasillavacia.com. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  35. ^ "Verónica Alcocer agradeció a la primera dama de Japón: "Conversamos sobre las dificultades de las mujeres"". infobae.com. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  36. ^ "Los detalles del encuentro entre Verónica Alcocer y la esposa del primer ministro japonés". semana.com. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  37. ^ "Verónica Alcocer viajó hasta el Vaticano para reunirse con el papa, ¿de qué hablaron?". elcolombiano.com. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  38. ^ "El Papa Francisco recivio en audiencia privada a la primera dama Verónica Alcocer". eldato.co. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  39. ^ "Verónica Alcocer se reúne con Papa Francisco". lasillavacia.com. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  40. ^ "¿De qué hablaron Verónica Alcocer y el papa Francisco en el Vaticano?". redmas.com.co. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  41. ^ "Verónica Alcocer y el Papa Francisco se reunieron en el Vaticano, estos fueron los temas de conversación". infobae.com. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  42. ^ "Primera dama se reunió con el papa Francisco, ¿de qué hablaron?". eltiempo.com. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
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  50. ^ "Así llegaron Verónica Alcocer y Álvaro Leyva a la coronación de Carlos III". elheraldo.co. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  51. ^ "Verónica Alcocer asistió a la coronación del Rey Carlos III junto al Canciller Álvaro Leyva". elpais.com. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  52. ^ Rodríguez, Paula Valentina (18 November 2023). "Petro ya está en Venezuela: así fue la llegada del presidente para conversar con Nicolás Maduro". infobae.com. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  53. ^ Máxima de Holanda se reúne con Verónica Alcocer y Gustavo Petro en Bogotá | ¡HOLA! TV on YouTube[dead YouTube link]
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  56. ^ "¿Verónica Alcocer será candidata presidencial? Presidente Petro respondio". eltiempo.com. 17 December 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  57. ^ "¿Por qué Francia Márquez no fue al funeral de la reina Isabel II?". caracol.com. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
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  59. ^ "Francia Márquez: ¿Por qué no quiso asistir al funeral de la reina Isabel II?". colombia.com. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  60. ^ "'No es yendo al funeral de la reina que me van a reconocer'". eltiempo.com. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  61. ^ "Francia Márquez confesó por qué no quiso asistir al funeral de la reina Isabel II y afirmó que se habría sentido incómoda". semana.com. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  62. ^ "Francia Márquez y su razón para no ir al funeral de la reina Isabel II". kienyke.com. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  63. ^ "Video:La primera dama de Colombia, Verónica Alcocer, se unió bailando al Carnaval de Barranquilla". cnnespañol.cnn.com. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  64. ^ "Video: Con la marimonda puesta Verónica Alcocer se goza los carnavales de Barranquilla". vanguardia.com. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  65. ^ "A ritmo de fandango y con el Rey Momo, Verónica Alcocer se gozó desfile en el Carnaval de Barranquilla". infobae.com. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  66. ^ "Video: la nueva primera dama, Verónica Alcocer, celebró bailando con la papayera que llevaron a la Casa de Nariño". infobae.com. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
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  68. ^ "Verónica Alcocer hizo simpáticas caras en la cena con el rey de España y sus gestos se volvieron virales". semana.com. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
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  70. ^ "Verónica Alcocer rompe su silencio y se defiende ante lluvia de críticas por bailar mapalé durante visita de Estado a España". elpais.com. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  71. ^ "Los siete bailes de Verónica Alcocer que han dado de qué hablar". eluniversal.com.co. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
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  73. ^ "¿Cuánto cuesta el "séquito" que acompaña a Verónica Alcocer a sus viajes?". noticiascaracol.com. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  74. ^ "La esposa del presidente electo Gustavo Petro ha recibido comentarios en redes sociales por sus 'look' con los que resalta la moda colombiana". pulzo.com. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  75. ^ "¿Quién es Virgilio Madinah, el diseñador colombiano que vistió a Verónica Alcocer?". elespectador.com. 7 August 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  76. ^ "Verónica quería salirse de lo convencional: diseñador primera dama". caracol.com.co. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  77. ^ "Posesión Gustavo Petro: el 'outfit' que utilizaron Verónica Alcocer y la vicepresidenta, Francia Márquez". infobae.com. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
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  79. ^ "El costoso vestuario que lució Verónica Alcocer en su encuentro con los reyes de España; solo los zapatos costaron más de cuatro millones". semana.com. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  80. ^ "Coronación del rey Carlos III: los detalles desconocidos del 'outfit' que usó la primera dama Verónica Alcocer". semana.com. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
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External links[edit]

Media related to Verónica Alcocer at Wikimedia Commons

Honorary titles
Preceded by First Lady of Colombia
2022–present
Current holder