Slain Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay's father to become the presidential candidate

In a significant development for Colombian politics, the Centro Democrático party, the main opposition to President Gustavo Petro, has announced Miguel Uribe Londoño as its presidential candidate for the 2026 elections.

Miguel Uribe Londoño, a former politician from the 1990s, has requested to join the process of selecting the party's presidential candidate. The announcement comes after the tragic death of his son, Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, who was gravely wounded by two gunshots to the head during an attack in Bogotá on June 7.

Uribe Londoño, at his son's funeral, condemned violence and called for stopping it in 2026. The Centro Democrático party, founded and led by former President Álvaro Uribe, has been a strong advocate for peace and democracy in Colombia.

Several senators, including María Fernanda Cabal, Paloma Valencia, Paola Holguín, and Andrés Guerra, are also aspiring to obtain the nomination of the Centro Democrático party for the 2026 elections. However, as of now, no new aspirants have been mentioned.

The process of selecting the presidential candidate for the Centro Democrático party starts today and will continue until December 2025 or January 2026, with the final decision being made during this period. The chosen candidate will participate in a consultation with other right-wing forces in March 2023, with the goal of choosing a single candidate of democratic unity that will rebuild the democratic path of the nation.

It is important to note that there is currently no publicly available information about who will represent the Centro Democrático party as a candidate in the March 8, 2026 presidential elections following the death of Miguel Uribe Turbay.

The elections for Congress and the Presidency will be held in 2026, marking a crucial point in Colombian politics. The Centro Democrático party, with its strong stance on peace and democracy, is expected to play a significant role in these elections.