Father of Slain Senator Speaks Out on Forensic Treatment

Miguel Uribe Londoño, whose son, the conservative senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, was murdered, disclosed this week that Colombia’s forensic lab had significantly damaged his son’s body, making it impossible for the family to hold an open-casket funeral.

This devastating loss has tested Uribe Londoño’s Catholic faith, yet he remains steadfast in his belief in God.

Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, just 39 years old at the time of his death, was part of Colombia’s conservative Democratic Center party and was seen as a hopeful candidate for the upcoming presidential election until his assassination.

On June 7, a young shooter, estimated to be around 14 or 15 years old, attacked Uribe during an election rally in Bogotá, inflicting two gunshot wounds to his head and another to his leg. He fought for his life in intensive care for several weeks before passing away in August. Colombian authorities are currently investigating the involvement of the Marxist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the plot against Uribe.

Uribe Londoño, who was also a senator in the 1990s and part of his son’s campaign, is now running for office again as a member of the Democratic Center party. The next presidential primary for conservatives is scheduled for November 28.

In a heartfelt interview on the Colombian podcast Vamos Paeso, Uribe Londoño expressed his anguish over the treatment of his son’s body by the forensic team, describing it as “grotesque.” The damage inflicted on the body meant that his family couldn’t hold the farewell they desired.

“It was horrible. I saw things that were just unimaginable,” he said. “We were forced to close the casket because of what we found.” He added, “I wanted to be there with him, to hold his hand. They took him to the coroner’s office, and that’s where everything went wrong. It was just grotesque,” he repeated.

“This shouldn’t have happened. There were so many better ways to handle it,” he lamented, emphasizing the unimaginable condition in which they received his son’s remains.

The assassination of Senator Uribe marks the second time Uribe Londoño has faced political violence. His wife, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped in 1991 by notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar and tragically killed during a rescue attempt. Miguel was only five years old when he lost his mother.

Uribe Londoño shared on his podcast that the tragic losses have deeply impacted his faith. “I believe in God, and despite these hardships, I will not waver in my beliefs,” he stated. He expressed a sense of helplessness about the tragedies and said, “I know I am at risk.” 

Reflecting on the day of his son’s death, he confessed, “I felt like I belonged in that casket with Miguel. The pain is overwhelming and will stay with me forever.” 

In the podcast, Uribe Londoño criticized far-left President Gustavo Petro, suggesting he holds political responsibility for his son’s murder. He described instances of alleged harassment from Petro toward the senator and pointed out that security measures for Uribe lacked proper attention, as documented by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

“Petro celebrated Miguel’s death. He was relentless in his attacks, using violent rhetoric about Miguel and his family’s history,” Uribe Londoño stated. He acknowledged that his son was aware of the dangers yet felt inadequate protection was provided.

Despite everything, Uribe Londoño does not plan to sue the Colombian state regarding his son’s assassination. Instead, he is advocating for stricter consequences for those involved and the disclosure of the names of individuals who orchestrated the crime.