Latest news with #UribeTurbay
an hour ago
- Politics
Who is Colombian Sen. Miguel Uribe Turbay who was shot during a campaign rally in Bogota?
Conservative Colombian Sen. Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot and seriously injured during a campaign rally in the capital, Bogota. The brazen attack captured on video shook a nation that decades ago regularly saw kidnappings and killings of politicians and high profile people. Uribe Turbay, 39, who has announced he intends to run for president next year, was in serious condition following surgery Sunday, a day after the shooting, and doctors said he was going through 'critical hours.' Here's what to know about the conservative politician: A member of the right-wing Democratic Center party, Uribe Turbay launched his presidential bid in March. He has become a prominent opposition voice against the government of President Gustavo Petro, the first leftist politician to become the leader of Colombia. Petro cannot seek reelection in 2026. Uribe Turbay, whose family had also suffered political violence, launched his presidential bid in March. In October last year, he had posted a video on social media announcing his intention to run, choosing the mountains of Copacabana in the department of Antioquia as a backdrop. The country will hold a presidential election on May 31, 2026. 'A place with deep meaning for me,' he said in the video. 'It was here that my mother was kidnapped by Pablo Escobar and was killed when I was about to turn five.' His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was abducted by the Medellin Cartel and killed in 1991, one of Colombia's most violent periods. The attack on Uribe Turbay on Saturday shocked the nation and revived memories of an era when political violence affected Colombian public life. Uribe Turbay entered politics early, being elected to Bogota's City Council at age 25 in 2012. In 2016, he was appointed the city's secretary of government by then-Mayor Enrique Peñalosa. In 2022, he became senator after being invited to run by former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez, no relation. Uribe Turbay was born into a prominent political family. He is the grandson of former President Julio César Turbay Ayala, who served from 1978 to 1982, and the paternal grandson of Rodrigo Uribe Echavarría, a former director of the Liberal Party. He was not considered a front-runner in next year's race, according to recent polls, and was still facing competition within his political coalition. In his pre-campaign messaging, Uribe Turbay focused heavily on security, seeking to inspire investments and promote economic stability. The senator is going through what authorities have described as 'critical hours' after undergoing surgery at a private clinic in Bogotá. 'He survived the procedure; these are critical moments and hours for his survival,' said Bogotá Mayor Carlos Galán early Sunday after receiving information from the medical staff at the Fundación Santa Fe clinic. 'His condition is extremely serious and the prognosis is reserved,' the clinic added hours later in a new medical report. Police arrested a 15-year-old boy for the shooting who they considered the perpetrator. Authorities have not disclosed a motive. Colombia's Ombudsman's Office condemned the attack, saying the country 'cannot allow a return to dark times when violence sought to silence ideas, candidacies or political leadership.'
Arab Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Conservative Colombian senator in serious condition after shooting at political rally
BOGOTA, June 9, (AP): Colombian Sen Miguel Uribe Turbay, a conservative presidential hopeful, was in "serious' condition Sunday following surgery for a gunshot wound at a political rally a day earlier, Bogota's mayor said. Mayor Carlos Galán visited the Fundación Santa Fe clinic to express solidarity with the family of the 39-year-old senator. "He survived the procedure; these are critical moments and hours for his survival,' said Galán early Sunday after receiving information from the medical staff at the clinic. The hospital said Sunday that Uribe Turbay was recovering in intensive care after undergoing neurosurgery and a procedure on his left thigh. His condition was described as "extremely serious,' and his prognosis was reserved. "Miguel continues to fight hard for his life, and I ask each of you to keep praying fervently,' Uribe Turbay's wife, María Claudia Tarazona, said in a statement. Former presidents Álvaro Uribe and César Gaviria visited the clinic, along with senators, city council members and other politicians, including former senator Ingrid Betancourt. The attack took place in a park in the Fontibon neighborhood in Bogota when armed assailants shot him from behind, said the right-wing Democratic Center, which was the party of former president Uribe. The men are not related. Images circulating on social media showed a person firing several shots at the senator from behind, apparently hitting his head before he collapsed. The Attorney General's Office, which is investigating the shooting, said the senator received two gunshot wounds in the attack, which also wounded two others. Their identities and conditions have not been disclosed. The office said a 15-year-old boy was arrested at the scene with a firearm. He was injured in the leg and was recovering at another clinic, authorities said. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez added that over 100 officers are investigating who was behind the attack. Elizabeth Dickinson, a security analyst at Crisis Group, told The Associated Press that the assault on the senator was a throwback to a time in Colombia "when violence converted into a political tool at the highest levels.' The incident has frightened Colombians, she added, because it highlights a recurring cycle of violence "even inside families that have been suffering its consequences for decades.'
New Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Who is Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, shot at during a campaign rally in Bogota?
A conservative presidential hopeful A member of the right-wing Democratic Center party, Uribe Turbay launched his presidential bid in March. He has become a prominent opposition voice against the government of President Gustavo Petro, the first leftist politician to become the leader of Colombia. Petro cannot seek reelection in 2026. Uribe Turbay, whose family had also suffered political violence, launched his presidential bid in March. In October last year, he had posted a video on social media announcing his intention to run, choosing the mountains of Copacabana in the department of Antioquia as a backdrop. The country will hold a presidential election on May 31, 2026. 'A place with deep meaning for me,' he said in the video. 'It was here that my mother was kidnapped by Pablo Escobar and was killed when I was about to turn five.' His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was abducted by the Medellin Cartel and killed in 1991, one of Colombia's most violent periods. The attack on Uribe Turbay on Saturday shocked the nation and revived memories of an era when political violence affected Colombian public life.
Korea Herald
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Colombian Sen. Miguel Uribe Turbay in serious condition after shooting at political rally
BOGOTA (AP) — Colombian Sen. Miguel Uribe Turbay, a conservative presidential hopeful, was in "serious" condition Sunday following surgery for a gunshot wound at a political rally a day earlier, Bogota's mayor said. Mayor Carlos Galan visited the Fundacion Santa Fe clinic to express solidarity with the family of the 39-year-old senator. "He survived the procedure; these are critical moments and hours for his survival," said Galan early Sunday after receiving information from the medical staff at the clinic. The hospital said Sunday that Uribe Turbay was recovering in intensive care after undergoing neurosurgery and a procedure on his left thigh. His condition was described as "extremely serious," and his prognosis was reserved. "Miguel continues to fight hard for his life, and I ask each of you to keep praying fervently," Uribe Turbay's wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, said in a statement. Former presidents Alvaro Uribe and Cesar Gaviria visited the clinic, along with senators, city council members and other politicians, including former senator Ingrid Betancourt. The attack took place in a park in the Fontibon neighborhood in Bogota when armed assailants shot him from behind, said the right-wing Democratic Center, which was the party of former president Uribe. The men are not related. Images circulating on social media showed a person firing several shots at the senator from behind, apparently hitting his head before he collapsed. The Attorney General's Office, which is investigating the shooting, said the senator received two gunshot wounds in the attack, which also wounded two others. Their identities and conditions have not been disclosed. The office said a 15-year-old boy was arrested at the scene with a firearm. He was injured in the leg and was recovering at another clinic, authorities said. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez added that over 100 officers are investigating who was behind the attack. Elizabeth Dickinson, a security analyst at Crisis Group, told The Associated Press that the assault on the senator was a throwback to a time in Colombia "when violence converted into a political tool at the highest levels." The incident has frightened Colombians, she added, because it highlights a recurring cycle of violence "even inside families that have been suffering its consequences for decades." The intellectual author of the shooting, she said, "clearly had the intention to stir up the country." The Colombian Senate called for national unity Sunday in a statement, emphasizing that political leaders and lawmakers face risks in a polarized nation. Uribe Turbay is the political heir of his grandfather, former President Julio Cesar Turbay who was in office from 1978-82. His mother, Diana Turbay, was a journalist who was kidnapped and killed in 1991 during a failed rescue attempt. Her death came during one of the most violent periods in the history of the South American country, then-plagued by drug cartel violence. The senator announced his presidential bid in early March. Colombia will hold a presidential election on May 31, 2026, marking the end of President Gustavo Petro's term. Petro, the country's first leftist leader, is not eligible for reelection. Outside the Fundacion Santa Fe clinic, dozens of people gathered in prayer for Uribe Turbay's recovery. Late on Saturday, after leading an extraordinary Security Council session, Petro, Colombia's first leftist president, promised "complete transparency" in the investigation and to find out who was behind the attack. He also promised an investigation into any failures by the senator's bodyguards. The president canceled a planned trip to France "due to the seriousness of the events," according to a presidential statement. World leaders and senior officials, including from the United States, Chile, Ecuador, and the European Union, condemned the violence and expressed support for the Colombian people and Uribe Turbay's family. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X that the "United State condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe." He urged Petro "to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials." "This is a direct threat to democracy and the result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government," Rubio said.
The Hindu
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Conservative Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe in serious condition after shooting at political rally
Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a conservative presidential hopeful, was in 'serious' condition Sunday (June 8, 2025) following surgery for a gunshot wound at a political rally a day earlier, Bogota's mayor said. Mayor Carlos Galán visited the Fundación Santa Fe clinic to express solidarity with the family of the 39-year-old Senator. 'He survived the procedure; these are critical moments and hours for his survival,' said Mr Galán early Sunday (June 8, 2025) after receiving information from the medical staff at the clinic. The hospital said Sunday (June 8, 2025) that Mr Uribe Turbay was recovering in intensive care after undergoing neurosurgery and a procedure on his left thigh. His condition was described as 'extremely serious,' and his prognosis was reserved. 'Miguel continues to fight hard for his life, and I ask each of you to keep praying fervently,' Mr Uribe Turbay's wife, María Claudia Tarazona, said in a statement. Former Presidents Álvaro Uribe and César Gaviria visited the clinic, along with Senators, city council members and other politicians, including former Senator Ingrid Betancourt. The attack took place in a park in the Fontibon neighbourhood in Bogota, when armed assailants shot him from behind, said the right-wing Democratic Center, which was the party of former president Mr Uribe. The men are not related. Images circulating on social media showed a person firing several shots at the Senator from behind, apparently hitting his head before he collapsed. The Attorney General's Office, which is investigating the shooting, said the Senator received two gunshot wounds in the attack, which also wounded two others. Their identities and conditions have not been disclosed. The office said a 15-year-old boy was arrested at the scene with a firearm. He was injured in the leg and was recovering at another clinic, authorities said. Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez added that over 100 officers are investigating who was behind the attack. Elizabeth Dickinson, a security analyst at Crisis Group, told The Associated Press that the assault on the Senator was a throwback to a time in Colombia 'when violence converted into a political tool at the highest levels.' The incident has frightened Colombians, she added, because it highlights a recurring cycle of violence 'even inside families that have been suffering its consequences for decades.' The intellectual author of the shooting, she said, 'clearly had the intention to stir up the country.' The Colombian Senate called for national unity Sunday (June 8, 2025) in a statement, emphasizing that political leaders and lawmakers face risks in a polarized nation. Mr Uribe Turbay is the political heir of his grandfather, former President Julio César Turbay who was in office from 1978-82. His mother, Diana Turbay, was a journalist who was kidnapped and killed in 1991 during a failed rescue attempt. Her death came during one of the most violent periods in the history of the South American country, then-plagued by drug cartel violence. The Senator announced his presidential bid in early March. Colombia will hold a presidential election on May 31, 2026, marking the end of President Gustavo Petro's term. Mr Petro, the country's first leftist leader, is not eligible for re-election. Outside the Fundación Santa Fe clinic, dozens of people gathered in prayer for Mr Uribe Turbay's recovery. Late on Saturday (June 7, 2025), after leading an extraordinary Security Council session, Mr Petro, Colombia's first leftist President, promised 'complete transparency' in the investigation and to find out who was behind the attack. He also promised an investigation into any failures by the Senator's bodyguards. The President cancelled a planned trip to France 'due to the seriousness of the events,' according to a presidential statement. World leaders and senior officials, including from the United States, Chile, Ecuador, and the European Union, condemned the violence and expressed support for the Colombian people and Mr Uribe Turbay's family. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X that the 'United State condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe.' He urged Mr Petro 'to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials.' 'This is a direct threat to democracy and the result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government,' Mr Rubio said.
