Bogotá – The assassination of Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay last year was ordered by the Segunda Marquetalia, a dissident faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), according to a confession from one of those convicted in the killing. The revelation, reported Saturday by the Colombian magazine Semana, marks a significant development in the investigation into the brazen daylight murder that shook the nation and raised concerns about ongoing political violence. The confirmation of the Segunda Marquetalia’s involvement in the assassination provides crucial insight into the motives and actors behind the attack.
Simeón Pérez Marroquín, known as “El Viejo,” confessed that the Segunda Marquetalia directed the attack on Uribe Turbay, a rising political figure with the right-leaning Centro Democrático party. Pérez Marroquín was recently sentenced to 22 years and four months in prison for his role in organizing and coordinating the senator’s murder, with his statement dated February 9th. According to Semana, Pérez Marroquín identified “Zarco Aldinever” as the individual who issued the direct order for the hit. The confession details a payment of one billion pesos (approximately $250,000 USD as of March 26, 2026) offered for Uribe Turbay’s death, with an additional 600 million pesos ($150,000 USD) earmarked for potential bribery or, chillingly, to silence potential witnesses.
Uribe Turbay, 39, was shot twice in the head during a campaign rally in Bogotá’s Modelia neighborhood on June 7th. He succumbed to his injuries on August 11th, after more than two months in intensive care. The attack sparked widespread condemnation and fueled anxieties about the security of political candidates in Colombia, particularly as the country prepared for upcoming elections. The revelation about the Segunda Marquetalia’s role confirms the initial line of investigation pursued by Colombian authorities.
Police Had Focused on Segunda Marquetalia
The Colombian National Police had already identified the Segunda Marquetalia as the primary suspect in the assassination, as early as October. Reports at the time indicated investigators were focusing on the group’s leadership and potential connections to the attack. The confession by Pérez Marroquín now provides direct evidence supporting that hypothesis. The Segunda Marquetalia is one of several FARC dissident groups that refused to demobilize after the 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC. Led by Iván Márquez, a former chief negotiator for the FARC in the peace process, the group has been accused of engaging in drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
Adding another layer to the complexity of the case, “Zarco Aldinever,” the alleged mastermind behind the assassination, was himself killed shortly after the attack. He died during a confrontation with the National Liberation Army (ELN), another guerrilla group operating in Colombia, according to then-Defense Minister Iván Velasco. The circumstances surrounding Aldinever’s death remain under scrutiny, and questions linger about potential collaboration or conflict between the Segunda Marquetalia and the ELN.
The confirmation of the Segunda Marquetalia’s involvement comes as Colombia continues to grapple with the challenges of implementing the peace agreement and addressing the ongoing presence of armed groups in various regions of the country. The assassination of Uribe Turbay underscored the fragility of the peace process and the persistent threat posed by those who reject it. The case too highlights the difficulties in bringing those responsible for political violence to justice, particularly when key figures are killed or remain at large.
Impact on Colombia’s Political Landscape
The murder of Miguel Uribe Turbay sent shockwaves through Colombia’s political landscape. A vocal critic of the peace agreement with the FARC, Uribe Turbay represented a hardline opposition to the current government’s policies. His death fueled fears of a resurgence of political violence and raised concerns about the safety of other political figures. The Centro Democrático party, to which Uribe Turbay belonged, has consistently called for a tougher stance against armed groups and a renegotiation of the peace agreement. The revelation of the Segunda Marquetalia’s involvement is likely to intensify those calls.
The investigation into the assassination is ongoing, and authorities are working to identify and apprehend all those involved. The confession of Simeón Pérez Marroquín represents a significant breakthrough, but many questions remain unanswered. The motives behind the attack, the extent of the Segunda Marquetalia’s network, and the potential involvement of other actors are all areas that require further investigation. The Colombian government has pledged to bring those responsible to justice and to ensure the safety of political candidates, and leaders.
The next step in the legal process is the continued prosecution of those implicated in the assassination, building upon Pérez Marroquín’s testimony. Authorities are expected to present further evidence and pursue additional arrests in the coming months. The case remains a priority for the Colombian government, and its outcome will have significant implications for the country’s efforts to consolidate peace and strengthen its democratic institutions.
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