Miguel Uribe Turbay, a Colombian senator and hopeful presidential candidate, has passed away after being critically wounded in a shooting incident more than two months ago.
His wife confirmed his death on Monday, marking the end of a long battle following the attack during a campaign event in Bogota.
Uribe, aged 39, was shot in the head at a political rally on June 7 in Colombia’s capital city.
He was immediately hospitalized at the Santa Fe de Bogota Foundation, where medical staff monitored his condition closely.
Just days before his death, doctors reported he was in critical condition due to severe bleeding in his central nervous system.
Known as a rising figure in Colombia’s right-wing opposition, Uribe was viewed as a serious contender for the 2026 presidential elections.
His political career had seen steady growth since joining the Senate in 2022, after a background in local politics and a Harvard education.
The senator’s death has deeply affected Colombia’s political community. Former President Ivan Duque Marquez paid tribute, describing Uribe as a “honest and transparent leader” whose life was cut short by violence.
Duque emphasized that despite the tragedy, Colombia would not give in to those responsible for such acts.
Another former president, Alvaro Uribe (no relation), reflected on the impact of the killing, stating that it extinguished hope but could serve as a guiding light for the country’s future.
Authorities have arrested six suspects connected to the shooting, including a 15-year-old charged with attempted homicide.
Prosecutors claim the teenager was involved with a network of hired killers, although all accused have denied the charges.
Uribe’s death revives painful memories of Colombia’s history of political violence.
His family has been marked by tragedy: his mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped and killed in 1991 during a rescue attempt by authorities after being abducted by drug traffickers tied to Pablo Escobar’s cartel.
Despite his family’s past suffering, Uribe emphasized forgiveness over revenge during his political career.
He announced his presidential run last year at the very site where his mother lost her life.
Uribe also came from a distinguished political lineage. His grandfather, Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala, served as Colombia’s president from 1978 to 1982, while his grandmother founded a prominent workers’ rights organization.