US Politicians Mourn Death of Colombian Presidential Candidate Miguel Uribe, Call for Justice

A man wearing a T-shirt with the image of Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay holds a candle during a mass for Uribe's health in Bogotá on June 21, 2025. Luis Acosta/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. politicians and congressmen reacted on Aug. 11 to the death of Colombian senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, calling for justice for the perpetrators of his assassination.

Uribe Turbay, of the Colombian conservative Centro Democrático party, died early this morning after spending more than two months in a hospital following an attack in which he was shot twice in the head and once in the leg during an election event in the Modelia neighborhood of Bogotá on June 7.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his condolences after hearing the news of the death of the 39-year-old Colombian politician.

“The United States stands in solidarity with his family, the Colombian people, both in mourning and demanding justice for those responsible,” Rubio stated in a post on X.

Christopher Landau, U.S. undersecretary of state, lamented the death of the Colombian senator and called on Colombian authorities “for a swift and transparent resolution of this political assassination.”

“Like many others in the United States who care deeply about Colombia, I send condolences to his family and the Colombian people,” Landau wrote in a post on X, adding, “May God rest the soul of this brave man.”

Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) published a message of solidarity for the senator’s family and loved ones.

“His passing leaves an immense void in those who knew him and deeply hurts the hearts of all Colombia,” Salazar said, according to a translation of a post in Spanish on X. “Miguel was a passionate leader, a public servant of integrity, and a Colombian who loved and defended his country until his very last day. My love and solidarity go out to his wife, María Claudia, and his entire family during this difficult time.”

Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) wrote in Spanish that he had “the honor of receiving him during his visits to Congress in Washington” and described the Colombian senator as a “brilliant, tireless, and courageous statesman.”

“My deepest condolences to his family and all the Colombian people,” he said in a post on X. “This enormous injustice cannot be in vain.”

For his part, Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-Fla.) joined the Colombian people “in this moment of profound sadness” over the passing of Uribe Turbay, whom he described as “a young politician who was a hope for democracy in his country.”

“My deepest condolences to his family and my conviction that violence must be eradicated in Colombia,” Díaz-Balart wrote in a post on X.

Six people have been arrested in connection with the attack on Uribe Turbay, including a 14-year-old boy who allegedly shot the senator.

The wake for Uribe Turbay will be held in the Elliptical Hall of the Congress of the Republic of Colombia. On Aug. 11, only family members will be allowed in, and on Aug. 12, the hall will be open to the public.

The funeral will take place on Aug. 13 at the Primada Cathedral in Bogotá.