Colombia News: Teenager Involved in Miguel Uribe Turbay Assassination Attempt Reveals Details of the Plot
A teenager involved in the assassination attempt on Miguel Uribe Turbay, a senator from the Democratic Center and former presidential candidate in Colombia, has revealed details of the plot, according to a report by Infobae Colombia (source). The teenager, who was arrested on June 7, has provided a detailed account of how the operation was structured and has revealed the names and nicknames of other people involved.
The teenager, who was just minor at the time of the attack, claimed that he was recruited by a local criminal group and was instructed to carry out the attack on Uribe Turbay. He stated that he was provided with a Glock 9mm firearm and was told to identify the senator with the help of a bystander. According to the teenager, he shot Uribe Turbay multiple times before fleeing the scene.
The teenager’s account coincides with video footage and graphic evidence collected by investigators. According to Infobae Colombia, the teenager had been in the area for at least four hours before the attack, monitoring the location and waiting for instructions. He also claimed that he used mobile payment services for small transactions while waiting.
The teenager’s testimony has led to the identification of other people involved in the attack, including three people who accompanied him in a vehicle before committing the crime. Among those identified are alias "el Costeño," his girlfriend, and a driver who has already been prosecuted.
The authorities have taken measures to protect the teenager and his family, including including them in a witness protection program. According to Infobae Colombia, the teenager’s family has been relocated and is being provided with protection.
The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, has stated that the teenager’s protection is essential to ensure that the case is clarified. "I have ordered that he be cared for to the maximum, because he was captured relatively well, but during the capture, he was violently beaten by civilians and arrived at the ICU," Petro said.
The teenager’s testimony has also revealed that he was never paid the 20 million pesos that he was promised for carrying out the attack. According to Infobae Colombia, the teenager claimed that he was told that he would not be paid because he was not expected to survive the attack.
The investigation into the assassination attempt on Uribe Turbay is ongoing, and the authorities have carried out several operations to gather evidence and capture those responsible.
In a press conference, the Attorney General of Colombia, Luz Adriana Camargo, stated that the teenager’s testimony has been crucial in advancing the investigation. "We have made significant progress in the investigation, and we will continue to work to bring those responsible to justice," Camargo said.
The attempted assassination of Uribe Turbay has raised concerns about the security of politicians in Colombia. The senator’s protection team had reportedly been alerted to potential threats, but the attack still occurred.
The teenager’s story also highlights the issue of recruitment of minors by criminal groups in Colombia. According to Infobae Colombia, the teenager had a troubled childhood, having lost his mother at a young age and experiencing domestic violence.
The authorities have vowed to continue investigating the assassination attempt and to bring those responsible to justice. The case has also raised questions about the effectiveness of protection measures for politicians and the recruitment of minors by criminal groups.
The Colombian government has stated that it will continue to work to prevent such attacks and to ensure the safety of politicians and citizens. The investigation into the assassination attempt on Uribe Turbay is ongoing.
