IACHR condemns the assassination of Miguel Uribe Turbay in Colombia and calls on the State to guarantee the safety of political leaders

August 15, 2025

Washington, DC—The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its condemnation and deep sorrow over the death of Colombian Senator and presidential pre-candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay as a result of an armed attack targeting him. The IACHR conveys its condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and Colombian society as a whole, and urges the State to guarantee the safety of political leaders throughout the country.

On June 7, 2025, Miguel Uribe Turbay was the victim of an attack in which he received three gunshot wounds while carrying out political activities in the Modelia neighborhood of Bogotá. After more than two months of medical care, he died on August 11 as a result of these injuries. Colombian authorities have reported the arrest of the alleged perpetrator—a 15-year-old—and five other individuals linked to the execution of the crime. However, the masterminds and motives for it remain unknown.

The IACHR calls on the Colombian State to act with diligence in investigating, prosecuting, and punishing this and other acts of violence against political, social, and community leaders. It calls on the State to strengthen investigations to identify the motives and all factors behind these crimes. The IACHR also emphasizes that fighting impunity is key to preventing the recurrence of such events and guaranteeing the population's full exercise of political rights.

The murder of Miguel Uribe Turbay highlights the ongoing problem of political violence in Colombia, which continues to affect political, social, and community leaders, as well as political parties, and society more broadly. Ahead of the 2026 elections, the IACHR calls on the State to strengthen protection measures for leaders and guarantee safe, inclusive, and non-violent spaces for democratic participation. It also stresses the need to reduce political confrontation and polarization and to prioritize dialogue, consensus, and effective solutions to challenges facing the country, in line with the principles of the Social Rule of Law and the democratic system established by the 1991 Constitution and the 2016 Peace Agreement.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 165/25

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