Credited from: CBSNEWS
Colombian Senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe died on August 11, two months after being shot in the head during a campaign rally on June 7. Uribe, 39, was critically injured and spent weeks in intensive care following multiple surgeries, ultimately succumbing to complications related to his injuries, according to Reuters and Le Monde.
The shooting, which took place in a working-class neighborhood of Bogota, has sparked national concern over the rise of political violence reminiscent of Colombia's turbulent past. Eyewitness accounts noted that he was shot three times, twice in the head and once in the leg, during his campaign speech, prompting immediate medical attention as he was rushed to the Santa Fe Foundation hospital, reported Al Jazeera and HuffPost.
Following the attack, authorities have arrested six individuals including a 15-year-old, who was purportedly the shooter. Allegations also point towards links to a dissident faction of the defunct FARC guerrilla group. The investigation unveiled an intricate web involving possible masterminds orchestrating the assassination, according to CBS News and Reuters.
Uribe’s political journey was marked by a rapid ascent as he became a prominent critic of President Gustavo Petro, having announced his candidacy for the 2026 elections. His tragic death brings back echoes of Colombia's darker history, especially given his mother's own violent death at the hands of the Medellin Cartel, a narrative that resounds deeply with the legacy of violence in the country NPR, Los Angeles Times, and AA.
The aftermath of the attack saw public outcry with tens of thousands taking to the streets in peaceful protest, signaling a collective desire for peace and stability in Colombian politics. This event sheds light on the urgent need for dialogue and respect among political entities, emphasized by Vice President Francia Marquez as she condemned the violence South China Morning Post.