Colombian senator Miguel Uribe Turbay passed away on Monday, following injuries sustained in a shooting at a campaign rally in Bogota over two months ago. His wife, María Claudia Tarazona, confirmed the tragic news early Monday.
Uribe Turbay, 39, was shot in the head and leg on June 7 and underwent emergency surgery. Despite medical efforts, he remained in intensive care until his death. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Tarazona shared, “You’ll always be the love of my life.”
Following the incident, police arrested a teenage suspect at the scene and later detained several other individuals. They also apprehended Elder José Arteaga Hernández, identified as the alleged mastermind behind the attack.
This shooting has sparked renewed fears of political violence in Colombia, a country with a troubled history of attacks on political figures. The motives remain unclear, but the event has raised alarm about growing threats against those in public office. In October, Uribe announced his presidential candidacy for the 2026 election and had been critical of President Gustavo Petro.
Political violence in Colombia is not new. Analysts say it mirrors a history where drug cartels and militant groups targeted politicians, often with devastating effects. Uribe’s father, a journalist, was kidnapped and killed in 1991 during a violent era.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attempted assassination, calling it a threat to democracy. He hinted at the influence of “violent leftist rhetoric” from the Colombian government as a contributing factor.
As Colombia reflects on its history and the implications of such violence today, experts point out that political discourse must shift to prevent further tragedies. Recent reports indicate a rise in political violence across Latin America, highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues.
For more context, see the U.S. State Department’s statements on political violence, which emphasize the need for protective measures for political figures in vulnerable situations.
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Shooting, Colombia
