This Saturday, June 7, 2025, Colombia was jolted once again by an act of violence that harkens back to the nation’s tumultuous past, rife with political strife and drug-related chaos.
Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a 39-year-old presidential hopeful representing the Democratic Center party, was critically injured when he was shot in the head during a campaign event in Bogotá’s Fontibón district.
This alarming incident has ignited a nationwide discourse on security and stability in Colombia.
The Attack on Miguel Uribe
Reports indicate that the attack unfolded around 5:00 p.m. at El Golfito Park during a Democratic Center rally. Uribe was shot multiple times from behind by an assailant, with sources varying on the exact number of shots fired—estimates range from two to six, with at least one finding its mark on his head or neck.
Social media was flooded with footage of the chaos that ensued post-shooting, depicting Uribe in a state of distress as he was rushed to Clínica Colombia.
Authorities apprehended a suspect, reported to be a 15-year-old minor, while other sources mention the detention of two individuals. Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán has confirmed that the city’s hospital network was placed on high alert to assist Uribe, who remains in critical condition.
The government of President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack as an assault on democracy, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding political leaders. In contrast, opposition factions, particularly the Democratic Center, have seized upon this incident as indicative of growing public safety concerns under Petro’s governance.
Who Is Miguel Uribe Turbay?
Born on January 28, 1986, in Bogotá, Miguel Uribe Turbay is a lawyer and politician of Lebanese heritage, and a key member of the Democratic Center party, originally established by former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez. His family has deep political and media ties—he is the grandson of former President Julio César Turbay (1978–1982) and Rodrigo Uribe Echavarría, a former Liberal Party leader.
His mother’s tragic story is a poignant reminder of Colombia’s violent past; journalist Diana Turbay was kidnapped and killed in 1991 by the narco-terrorist group Los Extraditables, led by Pablo Escobar, an experience that has undeniably influenced his life and political trajectory.
Uribe’s political journey began as a Bogotá city councilman (2012–2015), where he also served as council president in 2014. Subsequently, he held the position of Secretary of Government during Enrique Peñalosa’s mayoral term (2016–2018). Despite running as an independent for Bogotá’s mayor in 2019 and finishing fourth with over 426,000 votes, he emerged as the top vote-getter in his party as a senator in 2022, garnering over 226,000 votes. In March 2025, he declared his candidacy for the 2026 presidential elections.
As a vocal critic of the Petro administration, Uribe has challenged the government’s “Total Peace” initiative, which he argues offers impunity to armed groups such as the ELN and FARC dissidents, while also decrying institutional decline, escalating insecurity, and economic turmoil during Petro’s tenure. His polarizing stance has made him a target for pro-government attacks, which he alleges seek to sabotage his presidential ambitions.
A Climate of Rising Tension
The shooting of Uribe has triggered a flurry of reactions, with some opposition voices likening the current climate to the harrowing era of narco-violence during the Pablo Escobar years of the 1980s and 1990s. Critics have linked the uptick in violence to Petro’s policies, alleging that his administration has been overly lenient toward criminal factions and has eroded the authority of the state.
Uribe himself has pointed out that under Petro’s leadership, coca cultivation has surged from 200,000 to 300,000 hectares, alongside a troubling increase in massacres, the assassination of social leaders, and assaults on public forces. Conversely, the Petro administration counters that its “Total Peace” strategy aims to foster reconciliation and diminish violence through dialogue with armed factions, asserting that opponents like Uribe exaggerate the security situation to undermine his presidency.
One particularly contentious issue is the government’s decision to honor former M-19 combatants alongside military personnel, which Uribe has denounced as a “disgrace,” starkly illustrating the ideological rift between the administration and its critics.
What Is Known About the Attack
Details regarding the attack remain murky. Authorities have yet to clarify the assailant’s motives or fully identify all involved parties. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the shooter, possibly a minor, fired at close range while Uribe was engaging with attendees. In the ensuing chaos, Uribe’s security team returned fire, resulting in a shootout that left at least one other person injured. The National Police confirmed the arrest of a suspect but have withheld details about their identity or potential affiliations with criminal or political organizations.
Condemnations of the attack have come from the Democratic Center and figures like former President Iván Duque, who have called for a thorough investigation. Some opposition voices have insinuated—without substantial evidence—that the Petro government may have connections to the attack, a claim the administration has vehemently denied.
The uncertainty surrounding the perpetrators is exacerbating speculation in an already politically polarized nation.
A Family—and a Country—Scarred by Violence
This incident evokes the painful legacy of Uribe’s family history, a reflection of Colombia’s broader struggle with violence in politics. With his mother having been a victim of narco-terrorism in the 1990s, the attack amplifies the ongoing discourse around the impact of violence on democratic processes in Colombia.
As the nation awaits updates on Uribe’s condition, both governmental and opposition leaders have called for a collective repudiation of violence and a reinforcement of democratic institutions. Yet, entrenched mutual distrust complicates any path toward constructive dialogue.
The assassination attempt on Miguel Uribe Turbay serves as a stark reminder of the significant challenges Colombia faces in terms of public safety and social cohesion. The ongoing prevalence of political violence and increased criminal activity are alarming indicators that necessitate a united response. Ultimately, the outcome of this investigation will be pivotal in determining whether this incident is an isolated occurrence or indicative of deeper, systemic issues within Colombia’s political and societal landscape.
