Miguel Uribe dies at 39: What to know about the tragic details of his death
Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay
Columbia Senator and Presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay has died at the age of 39, succumbing to injuries sustained during a brutal shooting at a campaign rally in Bogotá on June 7, 2025. His death, confirmed by his wife María Claudia Tarazona, has sent shockwaves across the nation and reignited fears of escalating political violence.
The Ambush That Changed the Nation
Uribe Turbay was addressing supporters at El Golfito Park in Modelia, Fontibón, when a 14-year-old assailant fired multiple shots, striking him in the head, neck, and leg. The attacker, who came on a motorcycle, was captured after a violent firefight and subsequent pleas of “I did it for the money, for my family” were recorded.
Immediately rushed to Clínica Fundación Santa Fe, Uribe underwent emergency neurosurgery and was placed in intensive care in critical condition. Despite an initially promising response, he suffered multiple cerebral hemorrhages over the following weeks.
After two months of intensive medical care, including several emergency surgeries, Uribe’s condition deteriorated due to persistent central nervous system bleeding. On August 11, 2025, he passed away from complications resulting from the attack.
A Legacy Marked by Political Lineage and Reform
Uribe hailed from a storied political lineage, his mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was killed during a failed rescue after being kidnapped by the Medellín Cartel in 1991. His grandfather, Julio César Turbay Ayala, served as Colombia’s president, and his other grandfather led the Liberal Party.
An influential rising star within the Democratic Center party, Uribe began his political career at 25 as a Bogotá city councilor and later served as the youngest city government secretary by age 30. Elected to the Senate in 2022, he campaigned for president under the “Colombia First” slogan, promoting security and institutional stability.
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Political Violence Reawakens a National Trauma
The attack renewed national and international concerns over Colombia’s return to politically motivated violence, shades of the era of cartels and assassinations are deeply felt. At least ten individuals, including the alleged mastermind Elder José Arteaga Hernández (“El Costeño”), have been implicated.
Mourning and a Call for Unity
Uribe’s wife, María Claudia Tarazona, paid tribute via social media as “the love of my life,” vowing to care for their children in his memory. Expressions of grief and solidarity poured in from figures across Colombia’s political spectrum, including former presidents Álvaro Uribe and Iván Duque.
Miguel Uribe Turbay’s untimely death is not only a profound personal tragedy but also a stark symbol of Colombia’s ongoing struggle with political violence. As a committed public servant and emerging national leader, his passing leaves a void in the country’s political landscape and underscores the urgent need to protect democratic values.
