The 2025 edition of the Vallenata Legend Festival, proudly held in Valledupar, left much more than musical notes in the air. Although the event was closed with the coronation of Iván Zuleta as the new King Vallenato, the joy of his victory was overshadowed by a series of incendiary statements that unleashed a storm in the universe of Colombian folklore.
Just hours after receiving the title that officially consecrates it as the largest exponent of the accordion in 2025, Zuleta starred in an episode that left many followers of the genre in a state of disbelief. Through his Instagram account, he published a comment, which was subsequently eliminated, in which, far from the mesurated and diplomatic speeches that usually accompany the winners, he lashed out without filters against recognized medium figures.
Now you can follow us in our WhatsApp Channel and in Facebook.
The main target of his anger was Álvaro Álvarez, known in the world of vallenato as “Álvaro Triple A”, whom he accused of having a constant attitude of opposition towards him. “I am the idol, pick up the 5 finalists and put them in my pocket!” Zuleta wrote in a publication that soon was viralized before being withdrawn. His tone, challenging and overflowing, generated a storm of social networks reactions.
In addition, in his outburst, he did not hesitate to make comparisons with another great of the genre, the remembered Juancho Rois. According to the new king, his presentation summoned more public than he once accompanied to Rois. A reckless statement, considering the almost mythical stature of Juancho in the history of vallenato. “I surpassed Juancho Rois, since in my participation more people accompanied him than when Juancho appeared to the festival.”he declared vehemence.
-But, Zuleta didn’t stop there. In the midst of his message, he also launched Indirects to Edgardo Bolaño, one of his strongest competitors in the 57th edition of the Festival, implying that his victory was not just clear, but overwhelming. “The king unleashed!” Commented on some users, with reference to the intensity with which the folklorist expressed his position.
Behind this outbreak, there is a backdrop that was already loaded. The 2025 edition of the Vallenato Festival was one of the most discussed in recent years. Although Zuleta’s return to the competition was seen by many as a memorable event, his victory was not universally celebrated.
Some sectors of the public and specialized criticism soon lifted their voice with objections against the result of the contest. Vallenat social networks and forums were filled with comments that, without rhoding, question the legitimacy of the jury verdict. The figure of Iván Zuleta, although recognized for his musical career and by his lineage deeply rooted in the history of the vallenato, is subject to accusations that point to an alleged “blood heritage” as a determining factor in his coronation.
According to this line of thought, his last name, linked to an influential dynasty within Colombian folklore, would have had a disproportionate weight in the evaluation, Eclipsing the strictly musical criteria that should prevail in this type of contests.
These tensions, added to the hard message against Álvaro Álvarez and the Pullas to Bolaño, generated an atmosphere loaded in the Vallenata community. While some defend Zuleta and applaud their authenticity as a legitimate expression of artistic pride, others consider that their behavior tarnishes the legacy that represents and question their lack of humility after having received the highest recognition of vallenato folklore.
