Colombian senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay is fighting for his life after being shot multiple times, including twice in the head, during a campaign event in Bogotá on Saturday. The attack, which has sent shockwaves through Colombia and beyond, is being widely condemned as a direct assault on the country’s fragile democracy.
The 39-year-old politician was addressing supporters in a park when gunfire erupted. Chaos ensued as terrified bystanders fled, and footage circulating on social media captured the horrifying moment the shots were fired. Uribe collapsed mid-speech and was quickly airlifted to Santa Fe Foundation Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery on his head and thigh. As of Sunday morning, he remains in intensive care in critical condition.
“This is a day of pain for all of Colombia,” said President Gustavo Petro in a televised address. While acknowledging their political rivalry, Petro emphasized that “our differences are political, and only political.” He vowed a transparent investigation and announced the cancellation of his scheduled trip to France due to the “gravity of the events.”
Authorities swiftly apprehended a 15-year-old suspect who was shot in the leg while attempting to flee. According to the Attorney General’s Office, the minor was carrying a 9mm Glock-style firearm. Investigators are still working to determine a motive, though speculation is rampant amid a highly polarized political climate.
Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, issued an emotional appeal: “Miguel is fighting for his life. Please, pray for him and for the doctors trying to save him.” Supporters have since gathered outside the hospital to hold vigils, while national security forces remain on high alert.
The attack has sparked a wave of condemnation from across the political spectrum and the international community. Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez called the shooting a “vile act” and offered a 3 billion peso reward (approximately $730,000) for information about those potentially involved. The government has also launched a review of the security protocols that failed to prevent the incident.
Prominent international figures, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, denounced the shooting as a “direct threat to democracy.” Rubio placed partial blame on what he called “violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government,” though he did not cite specific examples. He urged President Petro to de-escalate the political tone and take measures to ensure the safety of public officials.
Uribe, a right-wing senator from the Centro Democrático party, had declared his candidacy for the 2026 presidential race in October. A vocal critic of the Petro administration, Uribe has been at the forefront of the opposition, especially during recent debates over constitutional reforms and social policies.
His political lineage runs deep—he is the son of a well-known union leader and businessman and the late Diana Turbay, a journalist who tragically lost her life during a 1991 rescue operation after being kidnapped by Pablo Escobar’s Medellín cartel.
In the days leading up to the shooting, tensions had been mounting between the government and the opposition. President Petro has been campaigning for broad reforms, which Uribe and others have labeled unconstitutional. Analysts say this latest act of violence could deepen political divisions and add further volatility to Colombia’s already turbulent pre-election climate.
As the country reels from the attempted assassination, leaders across Latin America and the European Union have expressed solidarity with Colombia and the Uribe family. Calls for unity, calm, and justice have echoed from every corner, but the path forward remains uncertain as investigators continue to piece together the events surrounding the brazen attack.
For now, the nation holds its breath as one of its most prominent political figures clings to life.
