Colombian Presidential Hopeful Survives Gunshot Wounds Amid Campaign
During a campaign event in Bogotá, Miguel Uribe Turbay, a prominent Colombian presidential candidate, was shot three times, including two shots to the head. The attack occurred on a busy Saturday in a local park, leaving him in critical condition. His wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, confirmed he is fighting for his life.
Authorities swiftly apprehended a 15-year-old suspect at the scene. The Defense Minister, Pedro Sánchez, stated that the investigation is ongoing, focusing on whether the minor acted alone or as part of a larger conspiracy. The motive behind this brazen attack remains unclear.
A Haunting Connection: The Legacy of Diana Turbay
Miguel Uribe Turbay’s bloodline casts a long shadow over Colombia’s turbulent history. His mother, Diana Turbay, was an esteemed journalist and the daughter of Julio César Turbay, Colombia’s 25th president. In 1990, Diana was kidnapped by a criminal gang tied to notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, a crime that ended tragically almost five months later.
Remembering Diana Turbay’s Courage and Integrity
Born in 1950, Diana distinguished herself as a journalist with a firm commitment to truth and humanized reporting. She founded the influential news magazine Hoy x Hoy and avoided sensationalism during Colombia’s most violent era.
Despite the passage of more than three decades since her death, Miguel Uribe pays tribute to his mother’s enduring influence on his character, saying she remains his greatest motivation and an exemplar of unwavering principles and integrity.
The Kidnapping and Its Tragic Outcome
In August 1990, Diana and a group of journalists traveled to interview a guerrilla leader known as “Cura Pérez.” Unfortunately, it was a trap orchestrated by Los Priscos, a gang allied with Escobar. Their goal was to kidnap prominent figures to pressure Colombia’s government to halt the extradition of drug traffickers to the United States.
Diana was held hostage for nearly five months in the mountainous region near Medellín. Reports describe her composed demeanor during captivity, writing heartfelt letters to her family and advocating for a peaceful resolution.
On January 25, 1991, a police rescue attempt turned tragic when Diana was struck by a bullet—whether fired by the captors or rescuers remains uncertain. She succumbed shortly after surgery. Her family had initially opposed a forceful rescue, fearing this exact outcome.
A Story Etched in Colombia’s History
Diana’s ordeal was immortalized in literature, notably in the renowned novel News of a Kidnapping by Gabriel García Márquez, highlighting the perils faced by Colombia during the drug war era and the human cost of violence.
Looking Ahead
The shooting of Miguel Uribe Turbay not only underscores the ongoing volatility in Colombia’s political landscape but also painfully echoes the tragic legacy of his mother. As investigations continue, the nation watches closely, hoping justice and peace will prevail.
