Diana Turbay
Encyclopedia
Diana Turbay Quintero was a Colombia
n journalist
, killed during the rescue operation while kidnapped by the Medellín Cartel
. Her case was portrayed in a novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
, titled News of a Kidnapping
.
was the 33rd president of the Colombian Republic (1978–1982) and the son of a Lebanese
immigrant from Ttanourin, Lebanon.
. She founded Noticiero Criptón, a television
newscast, and the weekly magazine Hoy por Hoy.
when she went to a supposed interview with a guerrilla leader, being telephonically invited by an unidentified man. Later, a police investigation determined that the man belonged to Los Priscos, a criminal band, and was hired by Pablo Escobar
. The latter's aim was to kidnap all the politicians and journalists possible, to demand that Colombian legislators not approve an extradition
treaty with the United States
. Some of the victims of this strategy, besides Diana Turbay, were Francisco Santos Calderón
, Maruja Pachón and Marina Montoya.
She was kept on a farm near Copacabana, Antioquia
, with her cameraman, Richard Becerra. Her death happened in the rescue operation launched by the Police, without the authorization of the family. The cause of death was an assault rifle
bullet in her back, which partially destroyed her liver
and left kidney
.
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, killed during the rescue operation while kidnapped by the Medellín Cartel
Medellín Cartel
The Medellín Cartel was an organized network of "drug suppliers and smugglers" originating in the city of Medellín, Colombia. The drug cartel operated in Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Central America, the United States, as well as Canada and Europe throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It was founded and...
. Her case was portrayed in a novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Gabriel García Márquez
Gabriel José de la Concordia García Márquez is a Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist, known affectionately as Gabo throughout Latin America. He is considered one of the most significant authors of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in...
, titled News of a Kidnapping
News of a Kidnapping
thumb|1st edition News of a Kidnapping is a non-fiction book by Gabriel García Márquez...
.
Early years
Diana Turbay grew up in an environment of political power; her father Julio César TurbayJulio César Turbay Ayala
Julio César Turbay Ayala was a Colombian politician, member of the Colombian Liberal Party, elected president of the Senate of Colombia and and, was president of Colombia from 1978 to 1982.- Biographic data :...
was the 33rd president of the Colombian Republic (1978–1982) and the son of a Lebanese
Lebanese people
The Lebanese people are a nation and ethnic group of Levantine people originating in what is today the country of Lebanon, including those who had inhabited Mount Lebanon prior to the creation of the modern Lebanese state....
immigrant from Ttanourin, Lebanon.
Journalistic work
Diana Turbay was a respected journalist in the Colombian mediaMedia in Colombia
Media in Colombia refers to Media available in Colombia consisting of several different types of communications media: television, radio, cinema, newspapers, magazines, and Internet-based Web sites...
. She founded Noticiero Criptón, a television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
newscast, and the weekly magazine Hoy por Hoy.
Kidnapping and death
Diana Turbay was kidnappedKidnapping
In criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or transportation of a person against that person's will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority...
when she went to a supposed interview with a guerrilla leader, being telephonically invited by an unidentified man. Later, a police investigation determined that the man belonged to Los Priscos, a criminal band, and was hired by Pablo Escobar
Pablo Escobar
Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria was a Colombian drug lord. He was an elusive cocaine trafficker and rich and successful criminal. He owned numerous luxury residences, automobiles, and even airplanes...
. The latter's aim was to kidnap all the politicians and journalists possible, to demand that Colombian legislators not approve an extradition
Extradition
Extradition is the official process whereby one nation or state surrenders a suspected or convicted criminal to another nation or state. Between nation states, extradition is regulated by treaties...
treaty with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Some of the victims of this strategy, besides Diana Turbay, were Francisco Santos Calderón
Francisco Santos Calderón
Francisco Santos Calderón also known as Pacho Santos born 14 August 1961 in the city of Bogotá, is a Colombian politician and journalist. Santos was elected as Álvaro Uribe's second runner up and became Vice President in the Colombian elections of 2002...
, Maruja Pachón and Marina Montoya.
She was kept on a farm near Copacabana, Antioquia
Copacabana, Antioquia
Copacabana is a town and municipality in the Colombian department of Antioquia. Copacabana is part of the Metropolitan Area of Medellín....
, with her cameraman, Richard Becerra. Her death happened in the rescue operation launched by the Police, without the authorization of the family. The cause of death was an assault rifle
Assault rifle
An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
bullet in her back, which partially destroyed her liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
and left kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
.