Colombia mourns the tragic death of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a prominent right-wing politician and presidential hopeful, who succumbed to injuries from a June 7 shooting at a campaign rally in Bogotá. The 39-year-old Democratic Centre party member, shot twice in the head, passed away at Fundación Santa Fe clinic after a brain hemorrhage, as confirmed by his wife, María Claudia Tarazona, on Instagram.
The assassination, which has led to six arrests, including a 15-year-old suspect, has reignited fears of political violence in Colombia, evoking memories of the country’s turbulent past.
Uribe, grandson of former President Julio César Turbay Ayala and son of journalist Diana Turbay, killed by the Medellín Cartel in 1991, was a rising star known for his fierce criticism of President Gustavo Petro’s leftist policies.
Elected to the Senate in 2022 with the slogan “Colombia First,” he opposed Petro’s peace strategy, arguing it led to increased violence by pausing offensives against armed groups.
His political journey began at 25 on Bogotá’s city council, followed by a stint as the youngest government secretary in 2016, before an unsuccessful 2018 mayoral bid. His presidential candidacy for 2026, announced in March 2025, was backed by a vibrant social media campaign.
The June 7 attack in Bogotá’s Fontibón neighborhood saw Uribe shot three times during a rally, with a teenage gunman allegedly hired by a dissident FARC faction, per France 24. A gunfight ensued, injuring two others, and the suspect, detained after bystanders attacked him, claimed he acted “for the money.”
Despite initial recovery signs, Uribe’s condition deteriorated after a critical brain hemorrhage on August 10, requiring emergency surgery. The tragedy has drawn condolences from figures like Vice President Francia Marquez, who condemned violence as antithetical to democracy, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, demanding justice.
Colombia’s history of political violence, including the murders of four presidential candidates in the 1980s and 1990s, looms large. Uribe’s mother, Diana Turbay, was kidnapped by Pablo Escobar’s cartel, and his death has sparked nationwide marches against such acts, with thousands rallying on August 10.
People are praising Uribe’s defense of democratic values, though some question the timing of campaign activities during his hospitalization. The Democratic Centre, led by former President Álvaro Uribe (no relation), called him a “hope for the homeland.”
Investigators are probing the attack’s masterminds, with a July 5 arrest of an alleged orchestrator. The case has intensified scrutiny of Colombia’s security policies, with Uribe’s critique of Petro’s approach—favoring negotiations over force—echoing in public discourse.
His family’s political legacy, including his grandfather’s presidency during a drug-fueled era, adds weight to the loss, per Wikipedia. The absence of clear motives and the suspect’s youth have fueled speculation about organized crime’s role, noting the suspect’s brief disappearance from custody, raising concerns about government oversight.
As Colombia processes this tragic death, Miguel Uribe’s legacy as a vocal critic and patriot endures. The nation grapples with renewed fears of political violence, with authorities under pressure to deliver justice. Uribe’s family, including his wife and children, face a profound loss, as Tarazona vowed to honor his memory.
The tragic death of Miguel Uribe has left Colombia mourning a promising leader. His assassination underscores the persistent threat of political violence, with ongoing investigations seeking to uncover the full truth.