Colombian Senator and Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay has died, two months after being shot during a campaign rally in Bogotá.
Uribe Turbay, 39, was critically wounded on June 7 when an assailant opened fire as he addressed supporters in the city’s Fontibón district. The attack left him with a severe head injury, and despite multiple surgeries and weeks in intensive care, his condition deteriorated due to a hemorrhage in his central nervous system. He succumbed to his injuries early Monday morning, surrounded by family.
His death has plunged Colombia into mourning and renewed fears about political violence, a grim echo of the country’s turbulent past. The assassination attempt was one of the most brazen political attacks in decades, recalling the targeted killings of presidential candidates in the late 20th century.
Uribe Turbay’s political career was marked by rapid ascension. A former Bogotá city councillor and secretary of government, he became a senator in 2022 and quickly emerged as a prominent voice for conservative politics. He was widely seen as one of the leading contenders in Colombia’s 2026 presidential race.
Tragedy has long shadowed the Uribe-Turbay family. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was killed in 1991 during a failed rescue operation after being kidnapped by the Medellín Cartel. His grandfather, Julio César Turbay Ayala, served as Colombia’s president from 1978 to 1982.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed condolences on social media, calling Uribe Turbay’s death “a loss for democracy.” Political leaders across the spectrum have urged unity and a renewed commitment to protect candidates during the election season.
Authorities have not yet released details about the motive behind the attack. The suspect, apprehended at the scene, remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Uribe Turbay leaves behind his wife and two young children. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
