Colombian senator Miguel Uribe shot during presidential campaign event

Sunday 08 June 2025 - 07:30

By: Zahouani Ilham

Colombian senator Miguel Uribe shot during presidential campaign event

Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe, a potential presidential contender in the 2026 election, was shot and seriously wounded during a campaign event in Bogotá, according to officials.

The 39-year-old opposition lawmaker from the conservative Democratic Center party, founded by former President Álvaro Uribe (to whom he is not related), was attacked on Saturday in the Fontibón neighborhood while addressing supporters in a public park.

His wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, shared on X that Uribe is currently in critical condition and "fighting for his life." A statement from his party condemned the act as “an unacceptable act of violence” and confirmed that Uribe had been shot from behind by armed assailants.

A medical bulletin from the Santa Fe Foundation hospital reported that the senator is undergoing complex neurosurgical and vascular procedures. Videos circulating online show Uribe bleeding from the head as people tried to assist him immediately after the shooting.

The Attorney General’s Office stated that Uribe sustained two gunshot wounds, and two additional people were injured. A 15-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene with a weapon. Authorities are offering a reward of about $730,000 for information related to the case.

President Gustavo Petro strongly condemned the attack, calling for a full investigation. He expressed solidarity with the Uribe and Turbay families, urging Colombians to respect life and vowing to examine possible security failures.

In his Saturday evening address, Petro said that while the investigation is still in its early stages, determining who orchestrated the attack is a priority.

International responses were swift. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attempted assassination, attributing the violence to what he called Petro's “inflammatory rhetoric.” Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa also denounced the attack and expressed support for Uribe's family.

In Colombia, former President Álvaro Uribe lamented the incident, describing the senator as “a symbol of hope for the country” and a beloved husband, father, and public servant.

Though not officially declared as a candidate, Miguel Uribe comes from a well-known Colombian family. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped in 1990 by forces linked to Pablo Escobar and died during a failed rescue mission in 1991.

Colombia continues to grapple with ongoing violence involving criminal organizations, remnants of paramilitary groups, and leftist insurgents a legacy of decades-long internal conflict.