Bogota, June 8, 2025 – Colombian democracy faces uncertain times following the violent attack on Senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay, who remains in critical condition after being shot three times—two of the bullets striking his head—during a campaign event in a park in the capital, Bogota.

The incident occurred Saturday afternoon as 39-year-old Uribe was addressing his supporters. In the middle of his speech, a 15-year-old youth fired point-blank shots, causing chaos among attendees. Cell phone footage captured the exact moment of the attack, sparking shock across social media and international news outlets.

A country in shock and a candidate fighting for his life

The senator was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. By early evening, Bogota’s mayor, Carlos Fernando Galán, confirmed that Uribe had been operated on and was in critical but stable condition.

His wife, María Claudia Tarazona, publicly called on Colombians to unite in prayer:

"Miguel is fighting for his life. Let us pray that God guides the hands of the doctors caring for him."

The attack was strongly condemned across the political spectrum. Uribe’s party, Centro Democrático, denounced the assault as a direct threat to freedom and Colombian democracy. Meanwhile, President Gustavo Petro addressed the nation with a conciliatory message:

"It is a day of pain. What matters most today is that all Colombians focus their energy on Miguel Uribe’s survival," he said, noting that despite political differences, "life comes above all else."

Suspect arrested and reward offered

The attacker, a 15-year-old adolescent, was wounded in the leg during a police chase and apprehended carrying a 9mm Glock pistol. The Attorney General’s Office announced an ongoing investigation into possible motives, with no hypothesis ruled out at this time.

Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez called the event a “vile attack” and announced a reward of 3 billion Colombian pesos (approximately USD 730,000) for information leading to those who orchestrated the attack.

From Washington, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio also condemned the attack, labeling it a direct threat to Colombian democracy. He attributed the violence to “leftist rhetoric from high levels of government,” without providing concrete evidence.

A key figure in Colombia’s evolving political landscape

Miguel Uribe Turbay declared his presidential candidacy for the 2026 elections. A senator since 2022, he is one of the most outspoken critics of the current government. He comes from a family deeply intertwined with Colombia’s political history: son of union leader and businessman Miguel Uribe Londoño, and journalist Diana Turbay, who was killed in 1991 during a failed rescue attempt after being kidnapped by the Medellín cartel led at the time by Pablo Escobar.

The attack revives the specter of political violence in Colombia and highlights the challenges the country faces on its path toward peaceful and democratic elections.