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BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Weakening Colombia’s democracy, a brutal attack claimed the life of presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay on Monday. The 39-year-old senator died at a Bogotá hospital, more than two months after gunmen shot him during a campaign rally.
A Deadly Attack That Shook the Nation
The shooting occurred in a working-class Bogotá neighborhood, where a teenage suspect fired at Uribe. Police arrested the teen on the spot and later detained several others. Authorities continue investigating who ordered the assassination and why.
Multiple videos of the attack quickly spread, shocking Colombians who have not witnessed such political violence since the 1990s, when drug lord Pablo Escobar waged war on the state (to Weakening Colombia’s democracy).
A Family History Marked by Violence
Uribe’s mother, journalist Diana Turbay, died during a botched police rescue in 1991 after Escobar’s cartel kidnapped her. She was among several high-profile hostages taken to prevent drug traffickers’ extradition to the United States.
Reflecting on her sacrifice, Uribe once said, “If my mother gave her life for a cause, how could I not do the same in politics?” He was only five years old when she died.
From City Council to National Politics
A Harvard-educated lawyer, Uribe entered politics at 26 as a Bogotá councilman. In 2022, he became the top vote-getter for the conservative Democratic Center party, led by former President Álvaro Uribe.
The elder Uribe, unrelated to the senator, mourned on social media, saying, “They have killed hope. May Miguel’s struggle light Colombia’s path.”
Security Concerns and Public Outcry
Allies claim the government ignored repeated requests to strengthen Uribe’s security. In the days after the shooting, tens of thousands marched in white, waving Colombian flags to denounce the violence.
Authorities remain silent on clear motives, but several theories are under review. Colombians now fear this killing signals a dangerous return to the nation’s darkest political chapters.
