Colombian presidential contender Uribe faces peril
In a shocking turn of events, Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay was critically injured in a shooting at a campaign event on June 7, 2025, in Bogotá. The incident occurred during a rally, where Uribe was shot three times - twice in the head and once in the knee.
The source of the information is ntv.de and AFP. Uribe, a prominent critic of the left-wing government of Gustavo Petro, remained in intensive care for over two months, undergoing multiple emergency surgeries. However, his condition deteriorated, and he died on August 11, 2025 [1][2][3].
The motive for the attack remains under investigation, and authorities believe the arrested minor suspect may have been a paid hitman linked to a wider plot [2]. According to police, there were no specific threats against Uribe before the fatal campaign event.
The shooting revived painful memories of Colombia’s longstanding political violence, often involving cartels and paramilitary groups. Uribe’s shooting sparked domestic and international condemnation. President Petro publicly condemned the violence, recalling the earlier assassination of Uribe’s mother, journalist Diana Turbay, in 1991.
The government announced plans for cross-party meetings and new security measures for candidates, though some opposition parties declined to participate. Human rights organizations warned that such violence could deter political participation and demanded transparent investigations.
The peace agreement signed by the disbanded guerrilla organization FARC in 2016 did not completely resolve the conflicts in Colombia. Violence has escalated further, with at least seven people killed in a series of attacks on state institutions in southwestern Colombia. Six suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting of Uribe.
The suspected shooter is a 15-year-old youth. Uribe's medical team has announced that he requires "neurosurgical interventions." As Colombia grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, many people fear a relapse into the violence spiral of the 1980s and 90s.
References:
[1] ntv.de. (2025). Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe critically injured in shooting. Retrieved from https://www.ntv.de/english/news/colombia-presidential-candidate-miguel-uribe-critically-injured-in-shooting-100.html
[2] AFP. (2025). Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe shot during campaign event. Retrieved from https://www.afp.com/en/news/2254/colombian-presidential-candidate-miguel-uribe-shot-during-campaign-event
[3] Santa Fe Hospital, Bogotá. (2025). Press release: Condition update on Miguel Uribe Turbay. Retrieved from https://www.hospitalesantafe.co/noticias/comunicado-de-prensa-actualizacion-del-estado-de-salud-de-miguel-uribe-turbay/
- The authorities are investigating the motive behind the shooting of Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, with a minor suspect believed to be a paid hitman potentially linked to a wider plot, and are looking into the context of science and medical-conditions, as the extensive medical-interventions required by Uribe indicate.
- In light of the deteriorating political climate and heightened threats against political figures, some community policy-makers are discussing the need for implementation of robust employment policies that prioritize health-and-wellness, aiming to eradicate the fear and anxiety among candidates and citizens.
- Meanwhile, the shooting of Miguel Uribe Turbay has attracted intense general-news coverage, as well as the attention of politicians, with many using the event to voice concerns over crime-and-justice matters, urging a serious evaluation of political-conditions concerning the safety and security of Colombian citizens.
