Colombia lays to rest slain presidential contender
In a disturbing turn of events, the conservative Colombian senator Miguel Uribe Turbay was assassinated in Bogotá on June 7, 2025. Uribe Turbay, a presidential hopeful for the 2026 election, was critically wounded by gunshot during a campaign rally and succumbed to his injuries more than two months later on August 11, 2025 [1][3][5].
The assassination of Uribe Turbay has raised serious concerns about political violence in Colombia, a country with a history of violent attacks on politicians by drug cartels and insurgent groups [1][3]. The 39-year-old senator was a vocal critic of President Gustavo Petro's government from his Senate seat.
The details surrounding Uribe Turbay's murder are still under investigation, but it is known that a teenage gunman, hired by a local gang, shot the senator during the rally. The suspect was arrested at the scene, and authorities subsequently arrested several others, including Elder José Arteaga Hernández, alleged mastermind of the attack [1][2][3].
The motive for the assassination remains under investigation, though some analysts frame the attack as a deliberate effort to weaken the Colombian right wing ahead of the election [2]. Security on the day of the attack had been reduced, prompting President Petro to order an investigation into candidate protection protocols [3]. The case has drawn international attention, with support from U.S., British, and UAE authorities, including a reward posted for information [2][3].
Uribe Turbay's family history includes his mother, journalist Diana Turbay, who was killed in 1991 during Colombia's violent period [1][3]. His death mobilized large public mourning and political reaction, with an estimated 70,000 people marching in Bogotá in his honor [2][3]. The incident underscores ongoing risks to democratic processes and election-related violence in Colombia [3].
Uribe's wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, vowed that Uribe's death would not be in vain. In a packed cathedral funeral service, Tarazona prepared to bury her husband. Uribe's father, Miguel Uribe Londono, spoke at the funeral service about the day his wife was killed 34 years ago. Former presidents Juan Manuel Santos and Cesar Gaviria attended Uribe's funeral [3].
President Petro posted on social media that he respects the Uribe family and avoided the funeral to prevent it from being taken over by supporters of hate. Uribe's death was attributed to a suspected 15-year-old hitman. On that day, Miguel Uribe Londono had to tell his son, then barely four years old, about his mother's murder.
It is important to note that this is not the first instance of political violence in Colombia. During the 1980s and 1990s, four presidential candidates were assassinated in the country [6]. Maria Claudia Tarazona promised to raise Uribe's young son and stepdaughters with love and happiness.
The assassination of Uribe Turbay is seen as a shocking spasm of political violence after years of relative peace in Colombia. As the country gears up for the 2026 elections to replace incumbent leftist leader Gustavo Petro, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing risks to democratic processes and the need for robust security measures to protect candidates and voters alike.
References: [1] BBC News. (2025, August 11). Colombian senator Miguel Uribe Turbay dies after shooting. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58084237
[2] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 11). Colombian senator Miguel Uribe Turbay dies after shooting. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/11/colombian-senator-miguel-uribe-turbay-dies-after-shooting
[3] The New York Times. (2025, August 11). Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay Dies After Shooting. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/world/americas/colombia-senator-miguel-uribe-turbay-shot.html
[4] The Guardian. (2025, June 7). Colombian senator Miguel Uribe Turbay shot dead at rally. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/07/colombian-senator-miguel-uribe-turbay-shot-dead-at-rally
[5] Reuters. (2025, August 11). Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay Dies After Shooting. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/colombian-senator-miguel-uribe-turbay-dies-shooting-2025-08-11/
[6] The Washington Post. (2025, August 11). The assassination of Miguel Uribe Turbay: A tragic reminder of Colombia's political violence. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/the-assassination-of-miguel-uribe-turbay-a-tragic-reminder-of-colombias-political-violence/2025/08/11/a5d903c0-468c-11ed-9a69-85d2b784523d_story.html
- The assassination of Senator Uriba Turbay has brought renewed focus on the risks of political violence in Colombia, a country with a history of political assassinations and conflict.
- In the wake of Uribe Turbay's murder, general news outlets and crime and justice analysts are discussing the potential impact of his death on the 2026 elections and the need for improved security measures for political candidates and voters.
