Presidential contender Miguel Uribe succumbs to wounds sustained in a June shooting incident
Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay has tragically lost his life following an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Bogotá on June 7. The cause of death was a brain hemorrhage related to the attack.
Maria Claudia Tarazona, Uribe's wife, announced his death on her Instagram account. Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have expressed their condolences and demanded justice for Uribe's death, with Rubio also expressing solidarity with Uribe's family and the Colombian people.
During the attack, Uribe was shot three times. Two of the shots were to the head. The teenage suspect, who was 15 years old, claimed during his arrest to have acted for money from a drug dealer. Authorities suspect a dissident group of the defunct FARC guerrilla group as possible masterminds.
Six people have been arrested in connection with the case, including the teenage gunman, several individuals charged with logistical support or planning, and a suspected escape driver. The investigation revealed that the firearm used was legally purchased in Arizona, USA, but how it entered Colombia is still under inquiry.
As of August 2025, authorities have not publicly established a precise motive for the attack. Uribe was a vocal critic of President Gustavo Petro, though no direct official link to political powers has been confirmed. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has attributed the attack to “violent leftist rhetoric from the highest levels of the Colombian government,” but this remains a political statement rather than an established fact in the investigation.
Uribe leaves behind a young son and three teenage daughters from his wife. He had announced his intention to run in the May 2026 presidential election in October. By mid-July, Uribe showed signs of improvement and entered neurorehabilitation after several surgeries.
The attack on Uribe has raised concerns about political murders and attacks in Colombia. Alvaro Uribe, a former right-wing president and Uribe's party member, has expressed his condolences and called for peace and unity in the country. Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez stated that democracy should be built with respect and dialogue, not violence.
The attack on Uribe has revived fears of a return to the violence of the 1980s and 1990s in Colombia. Tarazona expressed her love for Uribe and her promise to take care of their children. The investigation into Uribe's assassination is ongoing.
Read also:
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Trump's enforcement actions in Washington D.C.: Insights from the political arena
- Chinese Ambassador issues stern message to India regarding Trump's tariffs in midst of escalating trade feuds
- Aircraft collides with another one on the runway during landing at Montana airport, igniting flames
