In a shocking event that has shaken the country, the senator and presidential pre-candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay died in the early hours of Monday, August 11, 2025, after 2:00 in the morning, following an attack during a political rally in the Modelia neighborhood, in the Fontibón locality, to the west of Bogotá. The attack occurred on Saturday, June 7, around 5:00 p.m., while he was speaking on the side, in front of a tree in “El Golfito” Park, located on Carrera 82 with Calle 22.
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The 39-year-old senator was attacked by a teenager of only 14 years old, who shot him in the head and in the leg from close range. Two bullets entered his skull and another one in his left thigh.
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Miguel Uribe Turbay died after more than two months of fighting
On Monday, June 16th, he underwent an emergency surgery due to the presence of intracranial bleeding, so his condition became “extremely critical characterized by persistent cerebral edema and difficult-to-control intracerebral bleeding”.
On the day of the attack, thanks to the prompt arrival of an ambulance, he was first taken to the Medicentro Clinic in Engativá and then referred to the Santa Fe Foundation in Bogotá, where he underwent complex neurosurgical and vascular surgeries.
However, despite medical efforts, from the very beginning his condition was critical; the official report indicated that the prognosis was reserved and that his condition continued to deteriorate before his death was confirmed.
The senator’s medical history: between struggle and hope
Since the attack, Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay has remained at the Santa Fe Foundation in Bogotá, where he underwent multiple medical and surgical procedures to treat the serious injuries he suffered. Information about his condition has been communicated through official medical reports and statements from his family.
- First critical moments: The initial medical report from the Santa Fe Foundation, issued days after the attack, indicated that Uribe Turbay’s condition was “extremely serious,” with a reserved neurological prognosis. The senator underwent complex surgeries to address intracranial bleeding and cerebral edema.
- Improvement signs: In July, the Santa Fe Foundation revealed in a statement that the senator had shown a “favorable and stable clinical response.” His sister, María Carolina Hoyos, confirmed to the media that Uribe had entered a “waking phase,” which generated cautious optimism about his recovery.
- Relapse and new critical condition: However, in an unexpected turn of events, the Santa Fe Foundation reported in the month of August that the senator’s health “reverted to a critical condition” due to a hemorrhage in the central nervous system. This new complication required urgent neurosurgical procedures to stabilize him. The senator remains in the Intensive Care Unit, under deep sedation and on ventilatory support, while his prognosis remains guarded.
Seven captured and a meticulous plan
Elder José Arteaga, also known as “El Costeño,” has been identified by authorities as the mastermind and logistical coordinator of the attack. Following his capture, it was revealed that he received a “strong reprimand” from his superiors for not fulfilling the main objective of the attack: assassinating the senator. A key witness reported hearing “El Costeño” receiving voice messages asking him “why the ‘piñata’ hadn’t been broken,” referring to the attack, confirming the criminal organization’s intentions.
Likewise, the investigation has pointed to the “Second Marquetalia,” a dissident group of the Farc, as one of the main hypotheses about the intellectual authors of the attack. The director of the National Police, General Carlos Fernando Triana, has pointed to leaders of this group, such as Iván Márquez and the deceased alias “El Zarco Aldinever,” as the main responsible parties, demonstrating the complexity of the case and the level of those involved.
To date, seven people have been captured and prosecuted for their alleged involvement in the attack. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, their roles were crucial in the execution of the attack.
- A 15-year-old: The hitman who pulled the trigger and accepted the charges of attempted homicide.
- A 17-year-old teenager: He voluntarily surrendered and confessed his participation in the planning meetings.
- Carlos Eduardo Mora González: Suspected driver who transported the hitman.
- Katerine Andrea Martínez, alias “Gabriela”: Accused of transporting and delivering the weapon.
- William Fernando González Cruz, alias “El Viejo”: Accused of participating in the selection of the hitman.
- Elder José Arteaga, also known as “El Costeño”: The coordinator and mastermind of the attack.
- Cristian Camilo González Ardila: Alleged collaborator who picked up the hitman on a motorcycle.
The Prosecutor’s Office also revealed that “El Costeño’s” barbershop operated as a front for microtrafficking and recruitment, and that there was a first failed murder attempt in February. The investigation continues to identify more individuals responsible and clarify the case completely.
Who was Miguel Uribe Turbay?
Miguel Uribe Turbay was a lawyer from the Universidad de los Andes with specializations in public administration in New York. He was elected senator in March 2022 as the top candidate for the Centro Democrático party, from which he promoted initiatives in security, fighting corruption, and institutional strengthening.
He was the grandson of former president Julio César Turbay Ayala and his mother, journalist Diana Turbay, who was murdered in 1991 after being kidnapped by Pablo Escobar, an episode that deeply marked his life and his commitment to peace.
Beyond the tragedy, the death of Senator Uribe Turbay has a strong impact on the political and social life of the country. He was a father of four children, three from his wife, María Claudia Tarazona, and one child they had together who is only 4 years old, the same age he was when his mother Diana Turbay was killed during a failed rescue attempt of her kidnapping by Pablo Escobar.