Colombian politics has been shaken once again with the tragic death of Senator Miguel Uribe, a rising star and presidential hopeful, who succumbed to his injuries early Monday morning. Uribe, 39, had been fighting for his life since a brutal assassination attempt on June 7 during a campaign event in Bogota.

Story Highlights

• Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe died early Monday after being shot during a campaign event in June.

• The attack marks Colombia’s worst political violence incident in nearly 20 years.

• Six suspects arrested; a teenage gunman claims he was hired by a local drug dealer.

• Uribe was a vocal critic of President Gustavo Petro’s administration and a prominent right-wing leader.

• Uribe’s family has a tragic history linked to cartel violence, with his mother killed in 1991 by the Medellin Cartel.

• The government offers a substantial reward and international support is assisting in the investigation.

Known for his sharp criticism of the current government and a member of the right-wing opposition Democratic Center party, Uribe was shot in the head as he addressed supporters in his bid to secure his party’s nomination for the 2026 presidential elections. The hospital treating him confirmed that his condition worsened over the weekend due to complications from a hemorrhage in his central nervous system. He passed away at 1:56 a.m. local time.

His wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, shared the heartbreaking news on social media with a message filled with grief and resilience. She wrote:
“I ask God to show me the way to learn to live without you.”
“Rest in peace, love of my life, I will take care of our children.”

The shooting has been described as the worst political violence outbreak in Colombia in nearly two decades, a grim reminder of the country’s turbulent past. The 1980s and 1990s were marred by cartel-related violence that claimed the lives of four presidential candidates in separate attacks, and this latest attack has revived fears of a return to such instability.

Santa Fe Foundation hospital in Bogota, where Uribe was treated and underwent several surgeries, became a site of constant vigil and hope for his supporters. The hospital reported that his condition deteriorated rapidly over the weekend before his eventual passing.

Former President Alvaro Uribe, who leads the Democratic Center party but is not related to the deceased senator, expressed profound sorrow and frustration on social media. He wrote:
“Evil destroys everything; they killed hope.”
“May Miguel’s fight be a light that illuminates Colombia’s right path.”

On the international front, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also conveyed his condolences and support. He stated:
“The United States stands in solidarity with his family, the Colombian people, both in mourning and demanding justice for those responsible.”

Investigations have moved swiftly since the attack. Authorities have arrested six suspects connected to the assassination attempt, including two men believed to have planned the shooting in Medellin. Among those detained is a 15-year-old boy accused of carrying out the shooting, who reportedly claimed he was hired by a local drug dealer. Police continue to pursue the so-called “intellectual authors” behind the crime.

Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez vowed a determined response to the tragedy. In a statement on social media, he said:
“We will not allow the violent to intimidate or silence political voices needed in our democracy.”

The Colombian government has also announced a 3 billion peso (approximately $740,000) reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Investigative support is being provided by the United States, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates.

The death of Senator Uribe is especially poignant given his family’s fraught history. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was killed in 1991 during a failed rescue mission after being kidnapped by the Medellin Cartel, one of Colombia’s most infamous drug organizations led by Pablo Escobar.

Uribe’s own political trajectory was rapid and marked by vocal opposition to the leftist government of President Gustavo Petro. On the day he was shot, Uribe had released videos urging respect for the separation of powers and opposing a referendum on labor reforms proposed by Petro. He also criticized Petro’s restrictions on the oil sector, promising plans to boost investment and provide legal certainty for businesses.

At just 25, Uribe entered Bogota’s city council, frequently challenging then-mayor Petro’s policies on social programs and waste management. In the 2022 legislative elections, he was the lead Senate candidate for the Democratic Center party. Since the attack, his Senate seat has been draped with the Colombian flag as a tribute.

Adding to his political legacy, Uribe hailed from a prominent family: his maternal grandfather, Julio Cesar Turbay, was president of Colombia from 1978 to 1982, while his paternal grandfather, Rodrigo Uribe Echavarria, was a key figure in the Liberal Party, supporting the successful 1986 presidential campaign of Virgilio Barco.

Senator Uribe is survived by his wife, son, stepdaughters, father, and sister. As the nation mourns, the investigation continues, with hopes that justice will be served and political violence will not regain its former foothold in Colombia’s democracy.

The death of Senator Miguel Uribe marks a sorrowful chapter in Colombia’s political history, underscoring the persistent threat of violence that continues to challenge the nation’s democratic process. As investigations proceed and justice is sought, the hope remains that this tragedy will serve as a catalyst for renewed efforts to protect political voices and ensure a safer future for Colombia’s leaders and citizens alike. The nation mourns the loss of a young leader whose promise was cut short but whose legacy may inspire the fight against intimidation and violence in the country’s fragile democracy.

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