Who was Miguel Uribe Turbay? Colombian Senator shot at June campaign rally dies at 39

Colombian senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, who had been battling for his life for more than two months after being shot in the head during a campaign event, died on Monday, his family confirmed. The 39-year-old legislator’s death has cast a shadow over the country’s already fraught political landscape, as per a report by Associated Press.

Miguel Uribe Turbay shot, Campaign Rally Turns Tragic

Uribe, a member of the right-wing Democratic Center party, was addressing supporters in Bogotá on June 7 when a gunman opened fire, striking him in the head. The attack sent shockwaves through Colombian politics and reignited debates about the persistent threat of political violence.

Authorities later announced the arrest of four individuals, including a 14-year-old alleged to be the shooter. While investigators have yet to disclose a motive, the incident underscored Colombia’s enduring security challenges.

Miguel Uribe Turbay’s family statement

“You will always be the love of my life. Thank you for a life full of love,” wrote his wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, on Instagram. “Rest in peace, love of my life. I will take care of our children.”

The personal tragedy is compounded by Uribe’s family history, his mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was killed in 1991 during a failed rescue operation after being kidnapped by Pablo Escobar’s Medellín Cartel.

Miguel Uribe Turbay death: International Condolences

Expressions of grief came from both within and outside Colombia. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was “deeply saddened” by the news, adding that the United States “stands in solidarity with his family, the Colombian people, both in mourning and demanding justice for those responsible.”

Who Was Miguel Uribe Turbay?

Born into one of Colombia’s most prominent political families, Miguel Uribe was the grandson of former president Julio César Turbay (1978–1982). His paternal grandfather, Rodrigo Uribe Echavarría, was a leading figure in the Liberal Party and played a role in Virgilio Barco’s 1986 presidential victory.

Uribe’s own political career began early. At 25, he was elected to Bogotá’s city council, quickly making a name for himself as a vocal opponent of then-mayor Gustavo Petro. His rise continued when he won a Senate seat in the 2022 legislative elections, leading the Democratic Center party list under the slogan “Colombia First.”

In October 2024, Uribe announced his intention to run in the 2026 presidential election, positioning himself as a sharp critic of Petro’s government on issues ranging from security to economic policy.

Colombia’s history of targeted political killings stretches back decades, intertwined with its conflict involving guerrilla groups, paramilitary factions, and drug cartels. While the country’s civil war officially ended in 2016 with the peace accord between the government and FARC rebels, criminal organisations and dissident factions remain active.

FAQs

Who was Miguel Uribe Turbay?

Miguel Uribe Turbay was a Colombian senator, member of the right-wing Democratic Center party, and a declared candidate for the 2026 presidential election. He came from a prominent political family and had served on Bogotá’s city council before winning a Senate seat in 2022.

How did Miguel Uribe Turbay die?

He died on Monday after more than two months in critical condition, following a gunshot wound to the head sustained during a campaign rally in Bogotá on June 7, 2025.