Bogotá, Colombia — Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a potential candidate for the presidency in the 2026 elections, remains in critical condition following a shooting at a campaign rally. According to Bogotá’s mayor, Uribe has successfully undergone preliminary surgery but faces a challenging recovery ahead.
The 39-year-old senator was shot during a public event in the Fontibón neighborhood on Saturday. After being rushed to the hospital, Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, shared on social media that he is “fighting for his life.” Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán confirmed his condition and noted that Uribe is in the critical phase of recovery at the Santa Fe Foundation hospital, where he received treatment for gunshot wounds to the head and thigh.
The Democratic Centre party, which Uribe represents and which was founded by former President Alvaro Uribe (unrelated), condemned the shooting as an “unacceptable act of violence.” Eyewitnesses reported that Uribe was attacked by armed individuals while speaking at the campaign event. Disturbing footage on social media depicted Uribe receiving medical attention, visibly injured and bleeding.
The Attorney General’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident, noting two additional individuals were injured in the attack. A 15-year-old boy was detained at the scene with a firearm, prompting further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The government has announced a reward of approximately $730,000 for information leading to the assailants.
In a statement, President Gustavo Petro expressed his outrage, calling for a thorough investigation and extending condolences to Uribe’s family. He emphasized the need to respect human life, identifying violence as a serious breach of democratic values. Petro also indicated that the investigation would not only focus on the assailants but also examine potential security failures connected to the event.
International condemnation has been swift. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the attack as an attempted assassination, attributing some blame to what he termed “inflammatory rhetoric” from Petro’s administration. Latin American leaders have also expressed solidarity, with Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa condemning violence in any form within democratic frameworks.
Former President Uribe, commenting on his son’s plight, described the attack as a strike against the nation’s hope and reiterated his family’s legacy, as his own mother was tragically killed during an abduction attempt by armed groups over three decades ago.
Colombia has long struggled with violence stemming from a protracted conflict involving guerrilla groups, criminal organizations, and government forces. As the nation grapples with this latest act of violence, Uribe’s case underscores the fragile state of political discourse and safety in the country as it approaches a crucial electoral period.