'Miguel was a living part of the Solidarity for Colombia Foundation': María Carolina Hoyos in tribute to her brother Miguel Uribe and her grandmother Nydia

The commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Solidarity for Colombia Foundation had one of its most emotional moments during the Solidarity Festival, held this Saturday, August 16, at Bogotá's El Campín stadium. There, amid the music and entrepreneurship fair that accompanied the event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Solidarity for Colombia Foundation, the family of Miguel Uribe Turbay paid tribute to the late senator, filled with memory, unity, and hope.

Cali-born singer Andrea Botero dedicated the song "Fuerza Miguel" to him. She composed it just three days after the attack that ultimately led to the political leader's assassination. After his death, it was renamed "Vuela Miguel." "A round of applause from heaven," Botero said before performing the song.

The tribute to Uribe Turbay was accompanied by the presence of his immediate family, who are also members of the Solidarity for Colombia Foundation, founded by Nydia Quintero, grandmother of the slain political leader. His father, Miguel Uribe Londoño, and his sister, María Carolina Hoyos, current president of the Solidarity for Colombia Foundation, participated in the event, receiving affection and applause from those in attendance during an emotional day.

The central voice was María Carolina Hoyos, who, although present at the event, decided to speak via video to remember Miguel through the family legacy and her own work within the organization founded by her grandmother Nydia. "Although it pains us deeply, it gives us hope through solidarity for Miguel's life and the memory he leaves behind," she stated before the thousands of attendees.

During his speech, Hoyos spoke not only from the intimacy of his family, but also as part of a story that unites three generations. “His passing pains us as Colombians; it has touched us deeply as a family. Miguel is the grandson of our founder, of our lifelong president 'Mama Nydia,' who was also her greatest support and role model,” he said.

The evening also paid tribute to Nydia Quintero Turbay, the architect of half a century of community work, who passed away on June 30th. Her legacy, which has impacted more than 5.8 million Colombians, including more than 21,000 seniors, 365,000 people through the Family Network, and more than 14,000 young people with university scholarships, was applauded by the audience, who recognized in her the seed of an institution that has transformed lives for five decades.

In her speech, María Carolina Hoyos also wanted to make it clear that Miguel not only supported the foundation symbolically, but also fully engaged in its social activities. “Miguel was a living part of this work: he created reading clubs in Patio Bonito, and he ran alongside us in the Solidarity Race last year, always with his heart set on transforming lives,” she recalled.

Although the pain remains, Hoyos' message was imbued with a sense of the future. "Today, Miguel is no longer physically with us, but his example, his determination, and his commitment will always be present in every step we take," he stated. "We stand together with all the victims of violence so that never again, in any corner of Colombia, will a human being have to experience anything similar to what we are experiencing," he added.

His closing remarks reflected the spirit that has accompanied the foundation for five decades. "Through solidarity, we continue to believe in life, in love, in a country where peace is possible for all," he said.

The Solidarity Festival, which brought together more than 15 artists—including Pipe Bueno, Martina La Peligrosa, La 33, Pasabordo, Hombres a La Plancha, and Andrea Botero—also featured the Solidarity Fair, where more than 30 projects brought El Campín Stadium to life. To close out the weekend, the Solidarity Race will be held this Sunday, with 4,000 entrants, double the number of participants compared to 2024.

Environment and Health Journalist