Miguel Uribe Turbay, an influential Colombian senator and presidential candidate, was shot in the head while campaigning at a rally in Bogotá on June 7. Tragically, he died as a result of his injuries just days later. He was 39 years young, and the scion of a notable political dynasty. Their legacy became inextricably linked with the broader context of Colombia’s repeated upheavals. His passing is a great loss for our country. Others saw him as a promise of something better.
Uribe Turbay belonged to a political bloodline that first organized and defined modern Colombian politics. Diana Turbay, his mother, was an outspoken journalist. Unfortunately, she would die in 1991 while heroically taking part in a rescue mission, having been abducted by drug traffickers linked to the Medellin cartel. On top of that, his grandfather, Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala, was president of Colombia from 1978-1982. His grandmother, Nydia Quintero Turbay de Balcazar, founded Solidarity with Colombia, an organization with a mission of defending Colombian workers’ rights.
Uribe Turbay has a B.A. from Harvard University. After launching his political career in Bogotá’s local politics, he was elected to the national Senate in 2022. He announced his candidacy for the 2026 presidential elections at the very site where his mother was murdered, signaling his commitment to addressing Colombia’s challenges head-on.
After the shooting, Uribe Turbay was treated for his injuries at the Santa Fe de Bogotá Foundation hospital. Sadly, even the best doctors could save him and he died in the early hours of Monday morning. As tensions rose, the police arrested six cops for direct involvement in the assault. Among them is a 15-year-old boy who has been charged with attempted homicide.
Former Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez expressed the nation’s grief, stating, “Colombia mourns, but it will not surrender to the criminals who took the life of an admirable young man.” This sentiment embodies both the true reflex of all of Colombia’s shock and sorrow in light of a Uribe Turbay assassination.
Even Alvaro Uribe, one of the most popular politicians in Colombia’s history, sounded distraught. He, too, spoke of his dream for a better world to come. He remarked, “Evil destroys everything; they killed hope. May Miguel’s struggle be a light that illuminates the right path for Colombia.”
In a previous statement reflecting on his experiences, Uribe Turbay said, “I could have grown up seeking revenge, but I decided to do the right thing: forgive, but never forget.” This philosophy was the guiding principle behind his unique approach to both politics and life.
Maria Claudia Tarazona, a close confidante of Uribe Turbay, expressed her deep sorrow by stating, “I ask God to show me the way to learn to live without you.” Her words are an eloquent summary of the deep loss experienced by all who knew him.
