Latest news with #Turbay
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senator 'Fighting for His Life' After He Was Shot While Speaking to Supporters at a Park, Teen Arrested
A senator and presidential hopeful was shot multiple times during an event with supporters at a public park on June 7 Miguel Uribe Turbay was speaking with locals in the Fontibón neighborhood of Colombia when the incident took place 'He is fighting for his life," the politician's wife said in a statementA presidential hopeful was shot multiple times while speaking to supporters at a public park over the weekend. Miguel Uribe Turbay, a senator part of Colombia's center-right Centro Democrático party, was attacked on Saturday, June 7, while in the Fontibón neighborhood of the country's capital Bogotá. A 15-year-old, who was carrying a Glock-style pistol, has since been arrested, according to CNN and the BBC, both of which cited the local attorney general's office. Colombia's president Gustavo Petro said during a television appearance later that day that it wasn't clear if the teen was acting alone, per The New York Times. According to an update shared on X by Turbay's wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, the senator was "fighting for his life" following the shooting. She thanked his supporters for their "solidarity" and "prayers" in a later statement on Sunday, June 8, writing that updates about his health would be shared by the hospital. 'He came out well from the surgery,' his wife later told reporters, per CNN, which cited the Agence France-Presse (AFP). 'He fought the first battle and fought it well. He is fighting for his life.' Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, the hospital where Turbay was admitted, announced in a statement on June 8 that the politician was treated with procedures on his head and his left thigh and remains in intensive care. The hospital called his condition "extremely serious." The BBC reported that Turbay was shot three times on June 7, including twice in the head. Turbay was speaking to supporters at the park over the weekend when loud bangs rang out. He fell to the ground after appearing to be shot from behind, according to widely shared footage from the scene. Later footage showed supporters assisting and carrying the presidential candidate, who appeared to be covered in blood, as he was placed near the hood of a white car. At least three other people were also shot at the park, including a 20-year-old man, a 36-year-old woman and a 15-year-old, the Secretaría de Salud de Bogotá said. Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán said on June 8, per CNN, that Turbay has since entered 'the critical hours' of recovery following his own procedures. President Petro added during his broadcast on June 7 that "no resource should be spared" when tracking down those responsible for the shooting. "Not a single peso," he said, per the Times, adding that Turbay's security would be investigated for protocol failures. Eyewitness Victor Mosquera told reporters outside of the hospital that he was near the senator during the shooting and still had blood on his clothing while outside of the hospital, per the Times. 'Everyone was screaming and running,' he said, adding, "When I turned around, I saw Miguel lying next to me.' Pedro Sánchez, Colombia's defense minister, has since announced on X that a reward is being offered of up to 3 billion Colombian pesos — roughly $728,000 — for more information. Read the original article on People
Economic Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Who was Diana Turbay? Journalist kidnapped by Pablo Escobar and mother of Miguel Uribe who was shot today
Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe was shot three times during a campaign event in Bogota on Saturday, including twice in the head. He was immediately rushed to hospital, fighting for his life. Authorities swiftly arrested a 15-year-old boy carrying a firearm at the scene. Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed the arrest and said investigations are ongoing into possible accomplices. The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Uribe's wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, appealed publicly for support, saying on social media, "I am Maria Claudia Tarazona, Miguel's wife. Miguel is currently fighting for his life. Let us ask God to guide the hands of the doctors who are treating him. I ask everyone to join us in a chain of prayer for Miguel's life. I put my faith in God." — MiguelUribeT (@MiguelUribeT) Miguel Uribe belongs to a prominent Colombian family with deep political and journalistic roots. His father was a union leader and businessman connected to Colombia's Liberal Party. But it is his mother, Diana Turbay, whose story casts a long Turbay was a respected journalist and daughter of Julio César Turbay Ayala, Colombia's 25th president. Born in 1950 in Bogota, she was known for her refusal to sensationalise violence, a rare stance in a country long plagued by drug cartel terror. In August 1990, Diana Turbay set out to interview a guerrilla leader, Manuel Pérez Martínez, alias El Cura Pérez, from the ELN (National Liberation Army), accompanied by five other journalists and a cameraman. But the interview was a trap. The guerrillas were members of Los Priscos, a violent gang working for Pablo Escobar's Medellin Cartel. They kidnapped Turbay and her crew to pressure the Colombian government to halt extradition agreements with the United States—a key demand of Escobar. Turbay was held for nearly five months at a remote ranch in Copacabana, north of Medellin. Despite captivity, she showed remarkable courage and integrity. She smuggled letters, advocated for the release of fellow journalists, and reportedly urged authorities to avoid violent rescue attempts. She even earned the respect of her captors. On 25 January 1991, Colombian police launched a rescue operation without informing Turbay's family. The raid ended in was struck by a bullet in the back, which severely damaged her liver and kidney. She was taken to a hospital in Medellin but died soon after emergency surgery. It remains unclear whether the fatal shot was fired by her captors or the rescuers, but the operation was widely Inter American Press Association noted, "She had been kidnapped by Escobar to put pressure on the then president, César Gaviria, to overturn the extradition agreement with the United States."Her death was not only a personal tragedy but a national symbol of Colombia's brutal fight against drug Turbay's story lives on. Her death was chronicled in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's News of a Kidnapping and portrayed in the Netflix series son Miguel has often spoken of her as his guiding light. On 25 January 2024, he tweeted, "Hace 33 años perdí a mi mamá, Diana Turbay y hoy a pesar del tiempo que ha pasado, mi mamá ha sido mi motivación y ejemplo para trabajar por nuestro país. Me enseñó que los principios no se negocian y el valor de la integridad. Como periodista fue fiel a la verdad y creyente de…" ("Thirty-three years ago I lost my mother, Diana Turbay, and today despite the time that has passed, my mother has been my motivation and example to work for our country. She taught me that principles are not negotiable and the value of integrity. As a journalist, she was faithful to the truth and a believer in...")The attack on Miguel Uribe has stirred concern across the nation. Political violence threatens to overshadow democratic processes. The arrest of a 15-year-old points to deeper societal problems needing urgent many Colombians, Uribe's survival is not just a personal matter. It is linked to a broader hope for peace and stability in a country long scarred by his wife pleaded, "Let us ask God to guide the hands of the doctors who are treating him." The nation waits anxiously, holding onto hope for a recovery that could symbolise resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Colombian Leader Shot At: Kidnapped By Pablo Escobar, His Journalist Mother Died During Rescue Op
Last Updated: 'Narcos' on Netflix to Gabriel Garcia Marquez's 'News of a Kidnapping', the story of Diana Turbay, a brave journalist and daughter of ex-President, and the botched rescue lives on Colombian presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot at thrice, twice in the head, during a rally in Bogota on Saturday. While Uribe's wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, said he is 'fighting for his life", a 15-year-old boy has been arrested. Uribe's father was a union leader and businessman linked to the Liberal Party. His mother, Diana Turbay, a journalist and daughter of former Colombian president Julio Cesar Turbay, was kidnapped in 1990 by a group working under drug lord Pablo Escobar's Medellin Cartel. Soy Maria Claudia Tarazona, esposa de Miguel. Miguel está luchando en estos momentos por su vida. Pidamos a Dios que guíe las manos de los doctores que están atendiéndolo. Les pido a todos unirnos en una cadena de oración por la vida de Miguel. Pongo mi Fe en Dios 🙏🏼 — Miguel Uribe (@MiguelUribeT) June 8, 2025 HOW THE BRAVE JOURNALIST WAS TRAPPED Turbay was the founder of news magazine Hoy x Hoy who was known for her refusal to sensationalise violence, a rarity in Colombia's world of drug cartels at the time. Turbay, five other journalists and cameraman Richard Becerra were kidnapped on August 30, 1990, when she was tricked into going to a supposed interview with a guerrilla leader, the Spanish priest Manuel Pérez Martínez, alias El Cura Pérez from the ELN (National Liberation Army) in Antioquia. The guerrillas were members of Escobar-linked Los Priscos. She was held at a remote ranch in Copacabana, north of Medellin. She smuggled out letters, encouraged the release of another journalist and even won the respect of those who guarded her. DEATH MIRED IN CONTROVERSY On January 25, 1991, the Colombian police launched an operation to rescue her, without informing Turbay's family, which they botched up. Turbay was hit by a bullet in her back, which partially destroyed her liver and left kidney. Becerra was rescued unharmed. It was never confirmed whether the fatal shot came from her captors or the police, but the operation was widely condemned. JUST IN: Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe shot in Bogota during a political to local reports, Uribe was hit with a bullet and was rushed to the hospital. 'We energetically reject this attack that not only endangers the life of a political leader,… — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 8, 2025 IN POPULAR CULTURE Turbay's death was chronicled in author Gabriel Garcia Marquez's 'News of a Kidnapping'. Her story also featured in popular Netflix series 'Narcos'.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Shocking video shows Colombian candidate Miguel Uribe shot in head during Bogota rally
A video circulating on social media captured the moment when Miguel Uribe Turbay, a candidate in next year's Colombian presidential election, was shot during a campaign event in Bogota on Saturday. According to AFP, quoting paramedics, the 39-year-old right-wing opposition senator was shot three times — twice in the head and once in the knee. Uribe Turbay, currently a senator, is also the son of a journalist who was kidnapped and murdered in 1991, during one of Colombia's most violent eras. In a video shared on X, Turbay was seen delivering a speech at a public rally when gunfire erupted. The video shows a sudden disturbance, with more than three shots heard. could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. Images circulating on social media showed the 39-year-old bloodied, with what appeared to be a head wound, being supported by several people. As of now, no official update has been issued regarding the senator's condition, according to the Associated Press. The attack triggered reactions across Latin America. Chilean President Gabriel Boric said, 'There is no room or justification for violence in a democracy,' while Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa stated, 'We condemn all forms of violence and intolerance.' In Colombia, former President Uribe said, "They attacked the hope of the country, a great husband, father, son, brother, a great colleague.' Miguel Uribe Turbay's conservative Democratic Centre party condemned the attack, calling it 'an unacceptable act of violence.' The assault occurred in a park in the Fontibon neighborhood, where armed attackers shot Turbay from behind, the Democratic Center—the party of former President Alvaro Uribe—said. The two Uribes are not related. A suspected gunman has been arrested, Bogotá Mayor Carlos Galán confirmed on X. However, the federal government announced a reward for information leading to the capture of others involved. Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on X: 'Respect life, that's the red line.' Following this, Petro cancelled a planned visit to France 'due to the seriousness of the events,' according to an official statement. Colombia is set to hold its presidential election on May 31, 2026, as President Petro, the country's first leftist president, completes his term. Turbay had announced his candidacy in March. According to Colombian police chief Gen. Carlos Triana, at the time of the attack, Turbay was accompanied by Councilman Andrés Barrios and around 20 others. A minor allegedly involved in the assault was detained at the scene and is being treated for a leg wound. Authorities also recovered a firearm. Defence minister Pedro Sánchez said: 'I have ordered the Colombian military and police forces and intelligence agencies to deploy all their capabilities to urgently clarify the facts.' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X that the 'United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe,' and urged President Petro 'to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials.' Rubio further stated: 'This is a direct threat to democracy and the result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government.' (With inputs from AP, AFP)
