Colombian Presidential Candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay Dies After Attack
Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay died early this morning following weeks of critical health issues resulting from a violent attack in Bogotá on June 7. Despite undergoing emergency surgery at the Santa Fe Clinic to address complications from a brain hemorrhage the previous day, Uribe’s condition deteriorated beyond recovery, reports 24brussels.
The former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Rojas Rodríguez, expressed his sorrow on social media, stating, “What began as an attack has now turned into an assassination. It is the duty of the authorities to unravel this crime and bring those responsible to light.”
In a tweet, Rojas further emphasized the need for national unity in the wake of the tragedy, calling for a focus on life, democracy, and peace. He asserted the obligation of authorities to clarify the crime and hold accountable those involved.
Álvaro Uribe Vélez, the former far-right president, also conveyed his condolences, stating, “Evil destroys all. They killed hope. May Miguel’s fight light the way for Colombia.”
According to the Mayor’s Office of Bogotá, Turbay was shot three times in the head while campaigning in a local neighborhood. In the aftermath of the attack, five individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime. Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned a coordinated smear campaign attempting to blame him and Senator Iván Cepeda for the assault.
In June, Petro revealed, “There is an attempt to point me out in the media as responsible for the attack on Senator Uribe by the lawyer who comes from the same political sector as Iván Cepeda’s slanderers.” This narrative is part of a systematic effort to criminalize left-wing movements in Colombia.
