Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe was shot during a campaign event in Bogota, leaving him in critical condition. The incident occurred on Saturday in a public park in the Fontibon neighborhood. Uribe, who is a potential candidate for the presidency in 2026, was shot from behind by armed individuals. After the attack, he was rushed to the hospital, where his wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, shared that he was “fighting for his life.”
Uribe’s party, the Democratic Centre, condemned the shooting as “an unacceptable act of violence.” Reports indicate that he suffered two gunshot wounds and that two other people were also injured in the attack. A 15-year-old boy was arrested at the scene with a firearm. The Colombian government has offered a reward of $730,000 for information related to the shooting.
Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan announced that Uribe had successfully undergone initial surgery and was now in a critical recovery phase. A medical report confirmed he was admitted in critical condition and required further surgical procedures.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation. Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his solidarity with Uribe’s family, emphasizing the need to respect life. He stated that the investigation would seek to uncover who ordered the attack and address any security failures that may have contributed to it.
International reactions have also surfaced, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemning the attempted assassination. He attributed the violence to what he called President Petro’s “inflammatory rhetoric.” Leaders from across Latin America, including Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, echoed calls for peace and condemned any form of violence in a democratic society.
Miguel Uribe comes from a notable Colombian family. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was tragically killed during a rescue operation after being kidnapped by an armed group in 1991. This incident adds a grim layer to Uribe’s political journey in a country that has faced decades of violence from various factions.
As the investigation unfolds, the nation remains on edge, reflecting on the serious implications of political violence in Colombia.