Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Dies After Being Shot at Rally in Bogota
Bogota, Colombia — Senator Miguel Uribe, a rising star in Colombia’s right-wing opposition, has died after being shot during a political rally on June 7. The attack, which shocked the nation, occurred as Uribe was delivering a speech in the capital city.
Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, announced his passing on social media with a heartfelt message: “I ask God to show me the way to learn to live without you. Rest in peace, love of my life. I will take care of our children.”
Supporters had kept vigil outside Santa Fe Foundation Hospital, where Uribe was being treated. Hospital officials said his condition worsened over the weekend due to a hemorrhage in his central nervous system.
Former President Álvaro Uribe, leader of the Democratic Center party and no relation to the senator, expressed his sorrow on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Evil destroys everything; they killed hope.” He added, “May Miguel’s fight be a light that illuminates Colombia’s right path.” (The former president was recently sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for abuse of process and bribery.)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also expressed his condolences, stating, “The United States stands in solidarity with his family, the Colombian people, both in mourning and demanding justice for those responsible.”
Investigation and Arrests
Six suspects are currently in custody in connection with the shooting. Two men are believed to have met in Medellin to plan the assassination, according to the attorney general’s office. The teenager accused of carrying out the shooting was arrested within hours, and in a video verified by Reuters, he claimed he had been hired by a local drug dealer.
Authorities say they are still pursuing the “intellectual authors” behind the attack. A reward of up to 3 billion pesos (about $740,000) has been offered for information leading to arrests. The investigation is receiving international support from the United States, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates.
A Family Marked by Tragedy
Senator Uribe’s death adds to a history of hardship for his family. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was killed in 1991 during a failed rescue attempt after being kidnapped by the Medellin Cartel, led by notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar.
Despite this, Miguel Uribe quickly built his political career. A member of the Democratic Center party, he was known for his sharp criticism of leftist President Gustavo Petro’s government. At just 25, Uribe was elected to Bogota’s city council, where he often opposed Petro, who was then mayor of the city.
In the 2022 legislative elections, Uribe led his party’s Senate list with the slogan “Colombia First,” winning a Senate seat.
Politics runs deep in his family. His maternal grandfather, Julio Cesar Turbay, served as Colombia’s president from 1978 to 1982, while his paternal grandfather, Rodrigo Uribe Echavarria, was a key figure in the Liberal Party and supported a successful presidential campaign in the 1980s.
Senator Miguel Uribe leaves behind his wife, Maria Claudia, his son, stepdaughters, father, and sister.
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