What Happened to Aida Victoria Merlano Manzaneda?

Aida Victoria Merlano Manzaneda, born on April 21, 1999, in Barranquilla, Colombia, initially gained notoriety due to her familial ties to a major political scandal. She is the daughter of Aída Merlano Rebolledo, a former Colombian senator convicted of electoral fraud, conspiracy, and illegal weapons possession. In October 2019, her mother staged a dramatic escape from a dental office in Bogotá while under guard, an event that captivated national attention.

Following her mother's escape, Aida Victoria was implicated and charged in February 2020 with aiding the fugitive and using a minor in the commission of a crime, as her younger brother was also present during the dental visit. Prosecutors alleged she played a key role in distracting guards and facilitating the tools for the escape. Despite the severe legal challenges and intense public scrutiny, Merlano Manzaneda strategically leveraged the attention to build a successful career as a digital content creator, social media influencer, and streamer, known for her outspoken personality and candid commentary.

A key turning point in her legal saga occurred in September 2022 when she was initially sentenced to seven years and five months of house arrest for her role in the escape. However, this ruling was appealed, and in March 2024, the Superior Tribunal of Bogotá increased her sentence to 13 years and eight months in prison, without the option of home detention. Her legal team promptly appealed this decision to the Supreme Court of Justice, allowing her to remain free while awaiting the final verdict.

Throughout 2025 and into 2026, Merlano Manzaneda continued to expand her digital empire. In September 2024, she announced her presidency of a team in the Queens League, a football tournament created by Gerard Piqué. Personally, late 2025 saw her separation from Juan David Tejada, the father of her son Emiliano, amid allegations of domestic violence. In January 2026, she publicly addressed an issue regarding unauthorized use of her streaming account, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to the responsible party.

As of September 2026, Aida Victoria Merlano Manzaneda remains a prominent figure in Colombian digital media. She announced her engagement to streamer David Darville, known as 'Escro,' in August 2026. She also launched a significant collaboration with Lummia Colombia for a special edition of their LummiAir styler, incorporating themes of transformation and resilience. Concurrently, she revealed a difficult custody battle over her son Emiliano with his father, Juan David Tejada, with her lawyer, Wendy Herrera, taking on the defense in September 2026. Despite her ongoing success, she surprised her followers in August 2026 by announcing her intention to retire from social media by the end of the year.