Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay is in extremely critical condition after being shot in the head during a campaign event in Bogotá on June 7. Following the attack, he underwent surgery to address a brain bleed and has since had a second operation due to complications. The Santa Fe Foundation hospital reported that while Uribe is stable, he remains in serious condition. Doctors noted persistent brain swelling and bleeding that is difficult to control.
The shooting has raised alarms about a resurgence of political violence in Colombia, reminiscent of the dark days of the 1980s and 1990s when many politicians were assassinated. Uribe, a potential presidential candidate from the right-wing Democratic Centre party, was shot twice during a rally. This incident is part of a larger wave of violence that has recently swept across the country.
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack, including a 15-year-old boy who is believed to be a hitman, known locally as a "sicario." He has been charged with attempted murder and pleaded not guilty. An adult man, Carlos Eduardo Mora, has also been charged for allegedly planning the attack and providing the firearm used.
Uribe comes from a notable political family. His grandfather was a former president, and his mother, a journalist, was killed in a kidnapping attempt linked to drug lord Pablo Escobar in 1991. The attack on Uribe echoes a troubling trend in Colombia, where violence is on the rise as various armed groups vie for control over territories previously held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) after a peace deal.
In the days leading up to Uribe’s shooting, southwest Colombia experienced a series of violent incidents, including bomb attacks that left several people dead. The government is facing challenges in managing this escalating violence, as peace talks with dissident factions of FARC have stalled.
As Uribe’s health remains critical, the nation watches closely, concerned about the implications of this violence for the upcoming presidential election in 2026.