Bogotá, Colombia — Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay is in a fight for his life after being shot during a campaign rally in the capital over the weekend. The senator, a potential candidate for the 2026 presidential election, underwent surgery for his injuries, which include wounds to his head and thigh, according to local officials.
Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan reported that the 39-year-old senator successfully underwent an initial surgical procedure and is now in a critical recovery phase. He is currently receiving treatment at the Santa Fe Foundation hospital, where medical teams are working to stabilize his condition.
The shooting occurred on Saturday in a public park located in the Fontibon neighborhood. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene as Uribe was attacked from behind by unidentified gunmen who opened fire. Videos shared on social media show Uribe receiving immediate medical attention at the site, visibly injured and bleeding.
Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, shared on social media that her husband is “fighting for his life,” emphasizing the seriousness of his condition. The senator is a member of the opposition Democratic Centre party, which was established by former President Alvaro Uribe, although the two are not related.
In a statement, the Democratic Centre party condemned the shooting as “unacceptable” and called for accountability in this violent act. The Attorney General’s Office confirmed that Uribe sustained two gunshot wounds and that two additional individuals were injured in the attack. A 15-year-old suspect was apprehended at the scene, armed with a firearm.
Colombian authorities are currently offering a reward of $730,000 for information leading to the perpetrators. The government has condemned the attack, with President Gustavo Petro calling for a thorough investigation. In a message on social media, Petro expressed his condolences to Uribe’s family, underscoring the vital importance of respecting life.
Petro indicated that the investigation would aim to uncover the individuals responsible for orchestrating the assault. He acknowledged the need to examine any potential failures in security protocols that may have contributed to the incident, noting that much remains speculative at this time.
International reactions quickly followed the news of the attack. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the incident, attributing some responsibility to what he called Petro’s “inflammatory rhetoric.” Leaders from across Latin America, including Chile’s Gabriel Boric and Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa, echoed the sentiment of rejecting violence in a democratic society and expressed solidarity with Uribe’s family.
Miguel Uribe Turbay comes from a prominent Colombian family with a complex history. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped by armed militants in 1990 and tragically killed during a rescue attempt. This backdrop underscores the longstanding issues surrounding violence and political conflict in Colombia.
The country has grappled with decades of turmoil involving leftist insurgents, criminal factions, and government forces, creating a precarious environment for political figures like Uribe. As the investigation unfolds, many will be watching closely to see how Colombia addresses this alarming act of violence in its political landscape.