Colombian authorities have issued arrest warrants for seven members of a dissident rebel group in connection with the killing of presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe, who was shot during a campaign rally last year, officials said Tuesday.
Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo said the investigation determined that the killing was carried out through a coordinated criminal operation involving an urban gang allegedly hired by the rebel group known as Segunda Marquetalia.
According to prosecutors, the attack was organized by members of Segunda Marquetalia, a group formed by former fighters of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia after a 2016 peace agreement.
Authorities said the plan was led by Kendry Téllez, a member of the group, and involved senior leadership figures, including Luciano Marín, a former rebel commander accused of helping orchestrate the plot.
Marín, widely known as Iván Márquez, is among those charged and is now the subject of a major manhunt. Officials announced a reward of $1.3 million for information leading to his capture.
Additional rewards have been offered for information on the six other suspects named in the case.
Uribe was addressing supporters at a public park in Bogota on June 7, 2025, when a teenage gunman opened fire, striking him multiple times, including in the head.
The attacker attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended by the candidate’s security team at the scene.
Uribe later died from his injuries two months after the shooting.
Investigators said the teenager had been recruited by a criminal network allegedly acting on behalf of the rebel group.
The killing marked one of the most significant acts of political violence in Colombia in decades and dealt a major setback to efforts by President Gustavo Petro to reduce violence and stabilize the country.
Uribe, a conservative candidate, had campaigned on taking a tougher stance against armed groups and criminal organizations operating in Colombia.
His assassination was the first killing of a presidential candidate in the country in more than 30 years, raising concerns about security ahead of upcoming elections.
Segunda Marquetalia was formed in 2018 by former rebel leaders who rejected the 2016 peace deal between the government and the FARC.
Peace negotiations between the group and the government had been initiated but were suspended in late 2024 following internal divisions within the organization.
Prosecutors had previously suggested the group’s involvement in Uribe’s killing, but Tuesday’s announcement marks the most direct legal action taken so far.
Colombia is scheduled to hold presidential elections in May. If no candidate secures a majority of the vote, a runoff election will be held in June between the top contenders.
The case has intensified concerns about election security and the influence of armed groups in political processes.
The issuance of arrest warrants signals a significant escalation in Colombia’s response to political violence and highlights the ongoing challenges posed by armed groups that continue to operate despite past peace agreements.
By linking the killing directly to Segunda Marquetalia’s leadership, prosecutors are framing the attack not as an isolated act but as part of a broader strategy involving organized networks capable of carrying out targeted violence.
The alleged use of a teenage gunman reflects a pattern in which criminal organizations recruit vulnerable individuals to execute high-risk operations, complicating efforts to dismantle command structures.
The case also underscores the fragile nature of Colombia’s post-peace agreement environment. While the 2016 accord reduced large-scale conflict with the FARC, splinter groups and dissident factions have continued to compete for territory and influence, often filling power vacuums left in former conflict zones.
With national elections approaching, the killing of a presidential candidate has heightened concerns about voter safety, campaign security and the potential for further destabilization.
Authorities are likely to face increasing pressure to demonstrate progress in capturing those responsible and ensuring that political participation can proceed without intimidation or violence.
The outcome of the investigation, along with the broader security response, may play a critical role in shaping public confidence in Colombia’s institutions during a pivotal election period.
AP
