In a heartbreaking turn of events, Colombian Senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe passed away early Monday morning at the age of 39, following a severe injury sustained during a campaign event two months prior. The hospital treating him confirmed his death, which has sent shockwaves throughout Colombia.
Senator Uribe was shot in the head on June 7 while addressing supporters in Bogotá, as he sought to secure his party's nomination for the upcoming 2026 elections. His wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, took to social media to announce his passing, expressing her heartbreak and stating, "I ask God to show me the way to learn to live without you. Rest in peace, love of my life, I will take care of our children."
The incident marked the most significant outbreak of political violence in Colombia in nearly two decades, reminiscent of the turbulent 1980s and 1990s when several presidential candidates were assassinated by drug cartels. The Santa Fe Foundation hospital, where Uribe was treated, reported that his condition deteriorated over the weekend due to a hemorrhage in his central nervous system, leading to his death at 1:56 a.m. (0656 GMT) on Monday.
Former President Alvaro Uribe, who leads the senator's Democratic Center party and is not related to the deceased, expressed his sorrow on social media, stating that "evil destroys everything; they killed hope." He added, "May Miguel's fight be a light that illuminates Colombia's right path." This tragedy comes amid Alvaro Uribe's own legal challenges, as he was sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for abuse of process and bribery earlier this month.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also expressed deep sadness over Uribe's death, stating, "The United States stands in solidarity with his family and the Colombian people, both in mourning and demanding justice for those responsible." In connection with the attack, six individuals have been arrested, including two men who allegedly met in Medellín to plan the assassination. A 15-year-old suspect, who is accused of carrying out the shooting, was apprehended shortly after the crime and claimed to have been hired by a local drug dealer.
Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez pledged on Monday to ensure that those responsible for Uribe's death are brought to justice. "We will not allow the violent to intimidate or silence political voices needed in our democracy," he stated. His ministry announced a reward of 3 billion pesos (approximately $740,000) for information leading to the identification and capture of the culprits, with assistance from the United States, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates in the investigation.
The death of Senator Uribe adds another layer of tragedy to his family's already fraught history. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was killed in 1991 during a botched rescue attempt after being kidnapped by the notorious Medellín Cartel, led by drug lord Pablo Escobar. Despite these challenges, Uribe rapidly ascended the political ranks, becoming a prominent figure within the Democratic Center party and an outspoken critic of leftist President Gustavo Petro.
In social media videos from the day of his shooting, Uribe had called for respect for the separation of powers and opposed Petro's proposed labor reform referendum. He had also been vocal about the president's restrictions on the oil industry, promising to create a plan to attract investment and provide legal security for companies.
At just 25 years old, Uribe was elected to Bogotá's city council, where he became a notable opponent of Mayor Petro, criticizing his management of waste and social programs. Most recently, he led the Senate slate for the Democratic Center party during the 2022 legislative elections. Following his shooting, Uribe's Senate seat has been draped in a Colombian flag as a mark of respect.
Uribe is survived by his wife, son, stepdaughters, father, and sister, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with Colombia's political landscape and its history of violence.
