Colombian senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe has died two months after being shot in the head in a targeted attack which shocked the South American nation.
The 39-year-old was hit by three bullets – two of them in the head and one in the leg – at a campaign rally on 7 June in the capital, Bogotá.
His wife confirmed his death on social media, paying tribute to “the love of my life”.
A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of carrying out the shooting, but the motive behind the attack is still unclear.
Uribe’s wife, María Claudia Tarazona, thanked her late husband for “a life full of love” and for being “the best father” for their children.
According to a statement published on Saturday by the hospital where Uribe was being treated, the senator had suffered a bleed to his central nervous system and was due to undergo surgery.
He had already had several surgeries since he was first taken to the Santa Fe clinic in June.
His wife had asked people to pray for his recovery and thousands had turned out at vigils and rallies to show their support.
Uribe, who had been a senator since 2022, had been seeking his party’s nomination for the 2026 presidential election.
He was popular in the polls and recognised as an up-and-coming figure in the right-wing Democratic Centre party, known for his outspoken criticism of the current left-wing president, Gustavo Petro.
President Petro’s office released a statement expressing its condolences to the family of the slain politician.
Credit: bbc.com
