Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe, who was shot in the head during a campaign event in June and had been hospitalized since then, has passed away, as confirmed by his family on Monday. Uribe, aged 39 and a father and stepfather, sustained the gunshot wound while delivering a campaign speech in Bogota on June 7. He underwent multiple surgeries during his hospitalization, showing some signs of improvement in July. However, his condition deteriorated over the weekend due to a hemorrhage in his central nervous system, according to the hospital where he was being treated.
In a heartfelt message on Instagram, Uribe’s wife Maria Claudia Tarazona expressed her deep sorrow, calling him the love of her life and thanking him for being a loving father to their children. She also asked for strength to navigate life without him and bid him farewell, promising to take care of their kids.
The tragic incident has stirred memories of past political violence in Colombia, notably the assassinations of four presidential candidates in the 1980s and 1990s, attributed to drug cartels in league with right-wing paramilitary groups. Uribe’s mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was a victim of this violence, being killed in 1991 during a failed rescue attempt after being kidnapped by the Medellin Cartel led by Pablo Escobar.
Coming from a politically influential family, Uribe’s relatives have held significant positions in Colombian politics. His maternal grandfather, Julio Cesar Turbay, served as the country’s president from 1978 to 1982, while his paternal grandfather, Rodrigo Uribe Echavarria, led the Liberal Party and supported a successful presidential campaign in 1986.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed deep sadness over Uribe’s passing, offering condolences to his family and the Colombian people while advocating for justice in the matter.
Uribe, a rising political figure, was known for his sharp critique of leftist President Gustavo Petro’s government. He had a meteoric political ascent, beginning with his election to the Bogota city council at the age of 25, where he vocally opposed Petro’s policies. Subsequently, he held key positions in the city government before pursuing an unsuccessful mayoral bid.
Leading the Senate slate for the Democratic Centre party in the 2022 elections, Uribe was a staunch critic of the government’s peace strategy aimed at resolving Colombia’s long-standing armed conflict. He emphasized the need for a robust security policy to combat criminal activities and foster prosperity through clear regulations and incentives.
Uribe was vying for the Democratic Centre presidential candidacy in the upcoming 2026 election. Authorities have arrested six individuals in connection with the shooting, with ongoing efforts to identify the masterminds behind the attack. A 15-year-old suspect apprehended shortly after the incident claimed he was hired by a local drug dealer, as captured in a verified video of his arrest in June.
The tragic demise of Senator Uribe marks a significant loss in Colombian politics, leaving a void in the political landscape as investigations into the assassination continue.