Jaminton Campaz won’t return to Colombia due to death threats: fears of another Andrés Escobar tragedy
The recent elimination of the Colombia National Team in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup against Switzerland left consequences that go far beyond sports. What began as the collective frustration over a lost penalty shootout has turned into a situation of maximum alert due to the serious threats reported by Jaminton Campaz’s inner circle and the uncertainty surrounding the footballer’s current whereabouts.
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The Colombian footballer is currently in hiding and under strict security measures after receiving explicit death threats directed at him and his only five-year-old daughter.
A disappearance that set off alarm bells
Rosario Central’s winger became the focus of concern after it was confirmed that he did not board the official flight of the Colombian delegation that departed from Vancouver bound for Bogotá. While his teammates were returning to the country, the player’s direct whereabouts were lost.
This “disappearance” from the official itinerary coincided with a fierce wave of cyber harassment. After the loss to Switzerland on July 7, Campaz and several members of his family began receiving direct threats on their social media accounts, being unfairly singled out by a sector of the radical fan base.
For security reasons and while in an understandable state of shock, the footballer made the drastic decision not to return to Colombia with the rest of the national delegation. Instead, he chose to remain sheltered in Argentine territory, where he plays professionally, according to several local media outlets.
The play that unleashed digital intolerance
The origin of the hostility dates back to the round of 16 match. During extra time, specifically in the 115th minute, Campaz had a golden opportunity at his feet to seal the match and avoid a penalty shootout. However, his shot went over the crossbar in front of Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Although the 26-year-old forward took responsibility and later successfully converted his spot kick in the penalty shootout, Colombia ultimately lost 4-3 from the spot. Immediately, a radical sector of the fanbase vented its frustration on the player’s social media. What began as sporting reproaches soon turned into massive digital harassment with criminally toned messages that directly involved the safety of his young daughter.
“No passion justifies hatred and living in fear”, Campaz said in an emotional public letter before being forced to completely restrict comments on his official profiles.
The Colombian Football Federation demands an investigation
Faced with the seriousness of the harassment, the Colombian Football Federation broke its silence through an official statement to strongly condemn cyber harassment and request the immediate intervention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation in order to identify those responsible for the intimidation.
“The FCF reiterates that the female and male players who make up our national teams assume the honor of wearing Colombia’s jersey with discipline, commitment, professionalism, and a profound love for the country,” the governing body stated, calling for sanity and mutual respect.
The ghost of 1994 is haunting again
The situation has inevitably revived memories of one of the darkest and most painful chapters in that country’s sports history: the murder of defender Andrés Escobar in 1994, just days after he scored an own goal at the World Cup in the United States. It is precisely because of this historical precedent that both sports authorities and fans are demanding that the current online harassment not be taken lightly.
While international football figures, such as Ángel Di María, have sent public messages of support and solidarity to Campaz, the absolute priority for those around him in the coming hours remains ensuring his physical safety and that of his family.