Turning Back Time: A Resurgence of Violence in Colombia's Political Landscape
Exploring the Reality and Mythos of Pablo Escobar, Notorious Violent Criminal of Colombia
Take a trip down memory lane as the recent assassination attempt on conservative presidential prospect, Miguel Uribe Turbay, revives old wounds in a nation marred by a history of bloodshed.
The shooting at Turbay, who sustained multiple gunshots during a rally in the heart of Bogotá, stirs unease, threatening the safety of presidential frontrunners and the people, as political violence casts a menacing shadow over Colombia.
Flashback to a tense era from the past, during the war with the defunct FARC and the power struggle between drug cartels. It was the era of Pablo Escobar. The notorious criminal with ties to high-ranking officials left a dark mark on the country with a trail of attacks that turned cities into battlefields. Voices of political and opinion leaders who dared to challenge the narcoterrorism spearheaded by the Medellin cartel's chief were silenced, whether through assassinations, kidnappings, or threats.
"Those of us who lived through the 80s and 90s in this country have just been reminded of so many things. It's been over thirty years since an attack like the one against the presidential candidate," says Juliana, a Bogotá resident we encounters on the street, clutching TVE's microphone. Her concern echoes the sentiment of many, expressing deep-rooted fear about the latest act of violence against Miguel Uribe Turbay.
The latest outbreak of violence has shaken Colombia, forcing the nation to reflect on memorable episodes of crimes against presidential hopefuls. The country will never forget the assassination of Luis Carlos Galán. In 1989, a prominent Liberal party candidate, Galán was one of the frontrunners for the presidential seat. His dream ended on August 18 of that year, when he was gunned down during a crowded rally in the capital's south. His son, Carlos Fernando Galán, current mayor of Bogotá, admits that he had hoped that such an attack would never happen again.
Facing the Ghosts of the Past
"All of us are affected by what happened because we all have someone close to whom something like this has happened. This is a country that has suffered a lot from violence, with very deep wounds (...) Political violence has touched many in Colombia. It's not just my case. And perhaps that plays a very important role in our desire to overcome this, all of us. And when we see situations like this, we don't want to open the door to situations that could lead to a new chain of violence," says Bogotá's mayor and son of Luis Carlos Galán, the candidate assassinated in 1989.
Contributing Factors
Several factors have contributed to the recurring eruptions of violence in Colombia. In regions where state institutions are scarce, armed groups hold ground, competing for control of illegal economies and drug trafficking lines.
Further fueling the conflict, Colombia remains deeply divided, with the government and opposition locked in a violent feud that intensifies political tension a year before the elections.
However, what sets Colombia apart amidst such adversity is its indomitable spirit and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite the division between the factions, none wish to revisit the painful chapter of history, a time when the violent rule of Pablo Escobar seemed to be a fading nightmare, until now.
The resurgence of violence in Colombia's political landscape, as exemplified by the recent assassination attempt on presidential prospect Miguel Uribe Turbay, is a chilling reminder of the country's troubled past, characterized by war with defunct FARC and power struggles between drug cartels, such as the era ruled by Pablo Escobar. As Bogotá's mayor, son of Luis Carlos Galán (who was assassinated in 1989), recognizes, the widespread violence in Colombia has left deep-rooted fear and open wounds, making it crucial for the nation to avoid a 'new chain of violence', understanding that political violence has affected many in the country.
