Colombian Senator and Presidential Hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay Dies After Assassination Attempt

Colombian senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay has died, two months after he was critically wounded in a targeted shooting during a political rally. His death has shaken the nation and reignited fears of a return to Colombia’s darkest era of political violence.

Uribe, a prominent right-wing legislator and member of one of Colombia’s most recognizable political families, passed away early Monday morning after spending nearly 75 days in intensive care. He was shot on June 7 during a campaign event in Bogotá while seeking his party’s nomination for the 2026 presidential election.

In a heartbreaking tribute, Uribe’s wife, María Claudia Tarazona, posted on social media: “I ask God to show me the way to live without you. Rest in peace, love of my life. I will take care of our children.”

The attack, carried out by a 15-year-old suspected hitman, marks the most high-profile act of political violence in Colombia in over 20 years. The incident has stirred painful memories of the 1980s and 1990s, when drug cartels terrorized the country and claimed the lives of multiple presidential candidates.

Senator Uribe, who was 38, had been receiving care at the Santa Fe Foundation hospital in Bogotá. The facility confirmed over the weekend that his condition had worsened following a severe hemorrhage in his central nervous system. He was pronounced dead at 1:56 a.m. on August 19.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed condolences on X, writing, “The United States stands in solidarity with the people of Colombia and the family of Senator Uribe. We mourn his loss and demand justice for this senseless act.”

Colombian President Gustavo Petro also responded publicly to the news, calling Uribe’s death a national tragedy. “Every time a Colombian is murdered, it is a defeat for Colombia and for life,” Petro said. He called for an extensive investigation supported by international experts, pledging transparency and accountability.

Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the assassination plot, including two men who allegedly coordinated the operation from Medellín. Authorities say the teenager who pulled the trigger was apprehended within hours of the shooting. A video from that day, verified by Reuters, shows the young suspect claiming he was recruited by a local drug dealer.

Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez has vowed that the investigation will not rest until all those involved — including the “intellectual authors” behind the hit — are brought to justice. “We will not allow violence to silence the voices needed in our democracy,” Sánchez posted.

The Colombian government has offered a reward of 3 billion pesos (roughly $740,000) for information leading to the masterminds behind the killing. The United States, United Kingdom, and United Arab Emirates are reportedly providing technical and intelligence support for the investigation.

Uribe’s death adds another chapter to a legacy marked by both public service and profound loss. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was killed in 1991 during a botched rescue attempt after being kidnapped by the Medellín Cartel, which was then led by notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Rising quickly in national politics, Uribe became a key figure within the Democratic Center party, founded by former President Álvaro Uribe (no relation), and established himself as one of the fiercest critics of President Petro’s left-wing administration.

In the hours before the attack, Senator Uribe had posted statements emphasizing the importance of democratic institutions and warning against the government’s push for a labor reform referendum. “We cannot allow one branch of power to undermine another. Colombia’s democracy depends on our vigilance,” he wrote.

Former President Álvaro Uribe, who has recently been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for bribery and misuse of public office, reacted emotionally to the senator’s death. “Evil destroys everything; they killed hope,” he posted on social media. “May Miguel’s fight be a light that illuminates the right path for Colombia.”

Public vigils had been held regularly outside the Santa Fe hospital since the June shooting. Supporters of Uribe lit candles and prayed for his recovery, with many holding signs calling for justice and an end to political violence.

The killing has left the country reeling. Colombia had made major strides in curbing political assassinations in recent decades, but the targeted murder of a high-profile opposition figure has rekindled fears of instability and lawlessness.

As Colombians mourn the loss of a rising political star and devoted family man, questions remain about how such an attack could occur — and who ultimately gave the order. For now, the search for justice continues, as the nation reflects on the life and legacy of Miguel Uribe Turbay.