Background on Senator Miguel Uribe
Miguel Uribe, a 39-year-old Colombian senator and potential presidential candidate for the upcoming 2026 elections, survived a gunshot attack during a pre-campaign event on Saturday. Uribe, who hails from a prominent political family, has yet to establish a well-known platform for his presidential bid.
Family Background
Uribe’s family has a significant presence in Colombian politics. His grandfather served as the country’s president from 1978 to 1982. His mother, Diana Turbay, was a journalist who was kidnapped in 1990 by an armed group led by the late leader of the Pablo Escobar cartel. She was tragically killed during a rescue operation in 1991.
The Attack and Its Aftermath
On Saturday afternoon, while driving during a campaign event for his party, the conservative Centro Democrático, Uribe was shot in the Fontibón neighborhood of Bogotá. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, as other pre-candidates have also emphasized the need to address crime without specifying any particular targets.
Surgery and Recovery
Uribe underwent successful surgery on his head and left thigh at the Fundación Santa Fé hospital, where he remains in intensive care as medical teams work to stabilize his condition. His wife, María Claudia Tarazona, expressed relief and gratitude, stating that Uribe had won the “first battle” and that recovery would take time.
Calls for Increased Security
Bogotá’s mayor, Carlos Galán, whose father was assassinated during his own presidential campaign in 1989, addressed reporters outside the hospital, advocating for enhanced protection for all candidates in Bogotá and Uribe’s family.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Senator Miguel Uribe? A 39-year-old Colombian senator and potential presidential candidate for the 2026 elections, hailing from a prominent political family.
- What happened to Senator Uribe? He was shot during a pre-campaign event in Bogotá on Saturday. He underwent successful surgery on his head and left thigh and is currently in intensive care.
- Why was Senator Uribe attacked? The motive behind the attack remains unclear, though other pre-candidates have emphasized the need to address crime.
- What is Senator Uribe’s family background? His grandfather was Colombia’s president from 1978 to 1982, and his mother was a journalist who was kidnapped and later killed during her rescue.
- What measures are being taken to ensure security? Bogotá’s mayor, Carlos Galán, has called for increased protection for all candidates in Bogotá and Uribe’s family.
