Colombian Presidential Hopeful Shot at Campaign Rally
A shocking incident of violence has marred the Colombian presidential election campaign, as Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a possible candidate, was shot and wounded at a rally in Bogota on Saturday. According to reports from upday.com, the conservative Democratic Center party, to which Uribe Turbay belongs, released a statement condemning the attack as "an unacceptable act of violence".
The attack occurred in a park in the Fontibon neighborhood, where Uribe Turbay, 39, was shot from behind by armed assailants. Images circulating on social media showed the senator covered in blood being held by several people. A medical report from the Santa Fe Foundation hospital confirmed that Uribe Turbay was admitted in critical condition and is undergoing a "neurosurgical and peripheral vascular procedure".
As reported by upday.com, Uribe Turbay’s wife, MarÃa Claudia Tarazona, took to social media to urge Colombians to pray for her husband, stating that "Miguel is fighting for his life". The Attorney General’s Office, which is investigating the shooting, revealed that the senator received two gunshot wounds in the attack, which also wounded two others.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested at the scene with a firearm, and Colombia’s government has offered a reward for the capture of all those responsible. President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack, stating that "respect life, that’s the red line". He also canceled a planned trip to France "due to the seriousness of the events". According to upday.com, President Petro promised "complete transparency" in the investigation and to find the intellectual authors of the attack.
Uribe Turbay is the son of a journalist who was kidnapped and killed in 1991 during one of Colombia’s most violent periods. The senator announced his presidential bid in March, and Colombia will hold a presidential election on May 31, 2026, marking the end of President Petro’s term. Colombian police chief General Carlos Triana revealed that Uribe Turbay was accompanied by Councilman Andrés Barrios and 20 other people at the time of the attack.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the "United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe". Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa also offered solidarity to the senator’s family, condemning all forms of violence and intolerance. Former President Uribe described the attack as an attempt to target "the hope of the country, a great husband, father, son, brother, a great colleague". As reported by upday.com, Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that he has ordered the Colombian military and police forces and intelligence agencies to deploy all their capabilities to urgently clarify the facts.
The attack has raised concerns about the security of presidential candidates and the potential for violence to impact the democratic process in Colombia. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the motives behind the attack and to bring those responsible to justice. According to upday.com, the incident has sparked a strong reaction from the international community, with many leaders calling for calm and respect for the democratic process.
