Political leaders, including the Organization of American States (OAS) and Senator Marco Rubio, express their condolences and call for an end to political violence, following the death of Colombia's former president, Uribe Turbay.

Political leaders, including the Organization of American States (OAS) and Senator Marco Rubio, express their condolences and call for an end to political violence, following the death of Colombia's former president, Uribe Turbay.

Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay Assassinated During Political Rally

Miguel Uribe Turbay, a Colombian senator and presidential hopeful, was tragically killed after being shot three times during a campaign rally in Bogotá on June 7, 2025. He remained in intensive care for two months before succumbing to his injuries on August 11, 2025 [1][2][3].

The attack occurred in a tense political environment, with violence against candidates being a grim reality due to ongoing conflicts and drug-related violence [1]. The specific motive and responsibility for the attack remain under investigation, but it reflects the dangers of political violence in Colombia, particularly during election periods [2].

The news of Uribe Turbay's death sparked shock and sadness nationally and internationally, highlighting concerns about the safety of political participation in Colombia [2]. The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, emphasized the urgent need for elections to be conducted free from violence, discrimination, and intimidation, calling for respect for human rights and safe political engagement [2].

Colombian bishops and religious leaders publicly mourned Uribe’s death, denouncing the assassination and calling for peace and respect for democratic processes [3]. Uribe’s family and supporters also mourned his death, underscoring the tragic loss for Colombian politics [3].

Former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos called for reconciliation, disarmament of words, and respect for life in response to Uribe Turbay's death. The Institute of Studies for Development and Peace (Indepaz) reported that with this assassination, 97 social leaders and human rights defenders have been killed in Colombia so far in 2025 [1][2].

The Organisation of American States (OAS) Secretary General, Albert Ramdin, and Deputy Secretary-General, Laura Gil, both expressed condolences and called for an end to political violence. The Colombian NGO Mission of Electoral Observation (MOE) also condemned the crime and rejected all forms of violence in political participation [1][2].

Gonzalez Urrutia, another Venezuelan opposition leader, met Uribe Turbay in Madrid in October 2024. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia also expressed condolences for Uribe Turbay's death [1][2].

This incident underscores the broader issues of political violence in Colombia, especially linked to drug-related armed groups, and the critical need for security and human rights protections during election campaigns [1][2].

References:

[1] "Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay Killed in Campaign Rally Shooting." BBC News, BBC, 8 Aug. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58061673.

[2] "Colombia: Condolences Pour in for Senator Killed in Campaign Rally Shooting." Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 8 Aug. 2025, www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/8/colombia-condolences-pour-in-for-senator-killed-in-campaign-rally-shooting.

[3] "Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay Dies after Shooting during Campaign Rally." The Guardian, Guardian News & Media Limited, 11 Aug. 2025, www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/11/colombian-senator-miguel-uribe-turbay-dies-after-shooting-during-campaign-rally.

1. The tragedy of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay's death during a political rally in Bogotá on June 7, 2025, highlights the dangerous environment of war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice that politics in Colombia seemingly continues to endure.
2. The assassination of Senator Uribe Turbay on August 11, 2025, fuels concerns about the safety of political participation and underscores the urgent need for policy-and-legislation to be enacted that addresses these crimes and provides protection for political figures within general-news scenarios of election periods.
3. Beyond the shocking murder of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, this incident brings attention to the broader issues of political violence, specifically linked to drug-related armed groups, and emphasizes the importance of pursuing peace and fostering respect for human rights and democratic processes within the realm of world politics.

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