Colombia's former president Iván Duque has embarked on an unexpected second career as a DJ, trading the mahogany-panelled corridors of the Casa de Nariño for the neon-lit world of boozy nightclubs since leaving office in August 2022.

According to music publication NME, the 48-year-old right-wing politician, who governed Colombia from 2018 to 2022, now performs as "DJ DUQ" at various events across the country. Social media footage has captured the former head of state behind turntables wearing branded t-shirts bearing his musical moniker – a sight that would have been unthinkable during his buttoned-up presidential years.

Last February, Duque mixed electronic and reggaeton tracks at a young businessmen's celebration in Cartagena's historic walled city. Performing under his DJ alias, he played EDM hits including 'Feel So Close' by Calvin Harris and 'El Amante' by Nicky Jam to a crowd of entrepreneurs and professionals who seemed delighted by the spectacle of their former commander-in-chief dropping beats rather than campaign promises.

The musical venture marks a dramatic shift from Duque's controversial political tenure, which saw him grapple with nationwide protests, a faltering peace process with former rebels, and the economic fallout from the pandemic. His presidency was marred by various crises and clashes with legislative and judicial branches, while his political party Centro Democratico faced investigations over alleged conspiracies with drug trafficking organisations during the 2018 presidential election.

Perhaps seeking a more receptive audience than Colombia's fractious congress, Duque has now taken his act to youth innovation events in Bogotá, where he spins reggaeton selections for crowds. Since leaving office, Duque has reportedly pursued DJ training while also delivering conferences and writing eight books, suggesting a man determined to reinvent himself across multiple fronts.

Meanwhile, DJ DUQ’s performances have sparked a social media frenzy, with clips of his sets circulating widely across platforms, often accompanied by bemused commentary from Colombians still adjusting to seeing their former leader in this unlikely role.

As career pivots go, ditching the presidential palace for nightclub booths ranks among the more creative – and peaceful – exits from Colombian politics. Whether Duque will prove more successful at reading the room as a DJ than he was as president remains an open question, though early reviews suggest the learning curve may be shorter.