Uribe Turbay, who is running for the presidency in 2026, is from a prominent family in Colombia, with links to the country’s Liberal Party. His father was a businessman and a union leader. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped in 1990 by an armed group under the command of the late cartel leader Pablo Escobar. She was killed during a rescue operation the following year.
The senator’s opposition party, Democratic Centre, described the attack on Uribe Turbay as serious, and “an unacceptable act of violence”.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Credit: AP
Colombia has for decades been embroiled in a conflict between leftist rebels, criminal groups descended from right-wing paramilitaries, and the government.
Police said Uribe Turbay had been accompanied by councilman Andres Barrios and 20 other people when he was shot. A minor who allegedly took part in the attack was apprehended at the scene and is being treated for a leg injury, police said. A firearm was also seized.
Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez said authorities were investigating whether others were involved. He said he had visited the hospital where Uribe Turbay was being treated.
Colombia will hold a presidential election on May 31, 2026, marking the end of the current term of Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president. Uribe Turbay announced his presidential bid in March.
Investigators inspect the scene where Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot in a Bogota park.Credit: AP
Police stand guard outside the Medicentro hospital where Colombian senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is being treated after he was shot.Credit: AP
Reactions poured in from around Latin America. Chilean President Gabriel Boric said “there is no room or justification for violence in a democracy” and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said: “We condemn all forms of violence and intolerance.”
In Colombia, former president Alvaro Uribe, who is not related to Uribe Turbay but who represented the same party, said “they attacked the hope of the country, a great husband, father, son, brother, a great colleague”.
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AP, Reuters
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