Presidential aspirant in Colombia succumbs to injuries from June rally gunfire
The Colombian political landscape is in mourning following the assassination of senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a prominent figure in the conservative Democratic Center party. Uribe, a 39-year-old grandson of former President Julio Cesar Turbay (1978-1984), was shot at a campaign rally in Bogota on June 7, and passed away two months later.
Vice President Francia Marquez expressed her condolences on social media, stating that democracy is built with respect and dialogue, not violence. Former President Alvaro Uribe, no relation, also expressed his sympathies for Uribe's family.
The immediate suspect in the attack was a 15-year-old hitman, who was arrested at the scene. According to reports, he claimed he acted for money from a drug dealer. Authorities have since expanded the investigation, arresting six individuals in total. Among them is Elder José Arteaga Hernández, alias "El Costeno," who is suspected to be the mastermind behind the assassination.
The firearm used in the attack was legally purchased in Arizona in 2020, but the investigation is ongoing to determine how it entered Colombia. No specific political groups or broader organizations have been officially linked to the attack, with the focus currently on individuals possibly connected to drug-related payments.
Uribe unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Bogota in 2019 but was later elected a senator, receiving the most votes of any candidate in the country. He announced his intention to run for president in the May 2026 election. Uribe was a critic of President Gustavo Petro's strategy of engaging all armed groups, including drug traffickers, in dialogue.
Following Uribe's death, left-wing President Petro assured the safety of Colombians is his top priority. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for justice and expressed solidarity with Uribe's family and the Colombian people.
Miguel Uribe leaves behind a young son and three teenage daughters. His body will remain at the state ceremony at Congress in Bogota for public viewing until Wednesday. The attack has reopened old wounds in a country wracked by violence, with Uribe's widow, Maria Claudia Tarazona, expressing her grief on Instagram.
The investigation into Uribe's assassination is ongoing, with authorities working to establish a clear motive and bring those responsible to justice. The attack has underscored the need for continued efforts to promote peace and stability in Colombia.
Politics and general news outlets have reported the ongoing investigation into the assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, with crime and justice at the forefront. His death has also raised discussions about the safety and security of public figures in Colombia.
