Written by Michael P. Walsh
WEST HAVEN, CT — Colombian restaurateur Juan Carlos Arbeláez received the city's prestigious Hispanic American of the Year award at the eighth annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Friday, Oct. 2.
During the midday ceremony on the front steps of City Hall, Mayor Dorinda Borer and the West Haven Hispanic American of the Year Alumni Committee honored Arbeláez, a native of Cajamarca, Colombia, for his community commitment and cultural pride.
The committee bestows the award annually on a Hispanic resident who epitomizes service in the city's thriving Hispanic community.
Arbeláez, who owns and operates Saocco Colombian Restaurant at 456 Forest Road, celebrated his Colombian roots with dozens of friends, loved ones and past recipients at the event.
Along with West Haven residents and descendants of folks from Colombia and Latin America, he was joined by an array of city and state leaders, including Councilmen Gary Donovan, D-4, and Sean P. Ronan, D-at large, and Rep. Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven, who presented Arbeláez with a General Assembly citation from the city's delegation.
Arbeláez, 59, grew up in Cajamarca, a town in Colombia's Tolima Department, in the heart of the coffee-growing region.
He humbly accepted the Hispanic American of the Year award, thanking Borer, the committee and Saocco employees, as well as his wife, Marcela Arbeláez, and his children.
"I am deeply honored to accept this recognition," Arbeláez told the crowd, some wearing the yellow, blue and red colors of Colombia. "But I accept it not just for myself — I accept it for everyone who has ever come to this country with nothing but hope and hard work, believing that if you give everything you have to a place, that place will give something back.
"We are patience, labor and growth. And today, I'm proud to say — we are also West Haven."
During the ceremony, Borer praised the civic-minded Arbeláez for "proving through your generosity and leadership that personal success is most meaningful when lifting up others."
Under Arbeláez, Saoco has become widely recognized for its expansive menu. Each dish, including the popular bandeja paisa — a hearty Colombian platter of seasoned beef, pork belly, chorizo, rice, beans, plantains, avocado and fried egg — is prepared daily using local ingredients and traditional recipes.
Arbeláez has called West Haven home for decades, building a life centered on family, hard work and community.
"Juan Carlos is a true testament to the power of the American dream," Borer said. "For two decades, Saoco has been so much more than just a wonderful restaurant. Alongside chef Manuel Zamora and a dedicated team, Juan Carlos has created a true cultural cornerstone on Forest Road. Whether you are coming in for a welcoming place to gather or enjoying a beautiful, authentic dish like the famous bandeja paisa, Saoco brings the rich heritage and traditions of Colombia straight to our community."
Borer presented the city's top Hispanic with an embroidered "Hispanic American of the Year 2026" jacket and a Colombian flag.
"National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for us to recognize how Hispanic Americans profoundly shape our national character through faith and family, hard work and public service," Borer said.
The mayor then presented an official citation praising Arbeláez's good works.
"As a cherished business leader and devoted husband and father, you personify a spirit of public service and wholehearted civic dedication," said Borer, as Arbeláez's wife sat in the front row, smiling and applauding.
The cultural event included congratulatory remarks by master of ceremonies Sammy Rivera, West Haven's 2021 Hispanic American of the Year, who thanked Borer and the committee for organizing the celebration.
"I want to thank Mayor Borer for being so supportive and for continuing this tradition," Rivera said.
Before a prayer by the city's 2023 Hispanic American of the Year, West Shore Fire Department Chief Rafael Zayas, Gabriella Xavier sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the Dominican national anthem, "Himno Nacional de la República Dominicana."
Hispanic Heritage Month, which traces its beginnings to 1968 and runs through Oct. 15, specifically honors the diverse cultures and histories of people from Spain and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, the Caribbean and South America, which includes Colombia.
The celebration begins mid-month because it marks the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including those in Central America.
2026 West Haven Hispanic American of the Year Juan Carlos Arbeláez, the owner of Saocco Colombian Restaurant, receives an embroidered jacket and a Colombian flag from Mayor Dorinda Borer at the city's eighth annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration on the front steps of City Hall on Friday, Oct. 2. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer delivers heartfelt remarks about 2026 West Haven Hispanic American of the Year Juan Carlos Arbeláez, calling him "a true testament to the power of the American dream." Arbeláez also received an official citation from Borer for his civic-minded contributions. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
Master of ceremonies Sammy Rivera, West Haven's 2021 Hispanic American of the Year, opens the program. (City Photos/Michael P. Walsh)
A Colombian flag blows in the wind as Gabriella Xavier sings "The Star-Spangled Banner." Xavier also sang the Dominican national anthem, "Himno Nacional de la República Dominicana." (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
Members of the spirited crowd put their right hand over their heart. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
West Shore Fire Department Chief Rafael Zayas, West Haven's 2023 Hispanic American of the Year, gives the invocation. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
2026 West Haven Hispanic American of the Year Juan Carlos Arbeláez, wearing a yellow corsage, smiles as the audience applauds his inspiring contributions to the city's vibrant Hispanic community. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
Connecticut Rep. Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven, presents 2026 West Haven Hispanic American of the Year Juan Carlos Arbeláez with a General Assembly citation from the city's delegation as Mayor Dorinda Borer looks on. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
Saocco Colombian Restaurant owner Juan Carlos Arbeláez humbly accepts the 2026 West Haven Italian American of the Year award, thanking Mayor Dorinda Borer, the West Haven Hispanic American of the Year Alumni Committee and Saocco employees, along with his wife, Marcela Arbeláez, and his children. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
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