Colombian Courts Sentence Minor for Assassination of Senator
The Colombian courts have sentenced the minor responsible for the assassination of senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay to seven years in a specialized care center, following a brutal shooting during a public speech on August 7, 2025, reports 24brussels.
The Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the 15-year-old assailant, whose identity remains confidential due to his age, was apprehended shortly after the attack that occurred in front of a crowd. The shooter approached Uribe from behind and fired multiple shots, an incident captured on video that circulated widely online.
Images from the scene depict the attack as Uribe collapses following the gunfire. Colombian law differentiates the treatment of minors committing serious crimes, such as assassination, from that of adults. Based under the Code of Childhood and Adolescence (Law 1098 of 2006) and the System of Criminal Responsibility for Adolescents (SRPA), this legal framework emphasizes rehabilitation over punitive measures.
Currently, minors under 14 are not criminally prosecuted, while those aged 14 to 18 can face specific sanctions, including community service or a maximum of eight years in specialized centers for serious offenses. In stark contrast, adult offenders face sentences of up to 50 years for aggravated homicide. This legislative approach aims to recognize the potential for change in minors, thereby aligning with international regulations such as the Beijing Rules and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Consequently, even though assassination is a serious crime, the legal system prioritizes the minors’ development and reintegration into society over stringent punitive measures.
