Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a prominent potential candidate for the 2026 presidential election, was seriously injured in a shooting during a campaign event in Bogota. The 39-year-old underwent an initial surgery for wounds to his head and left thigh at Santa Fe Foundation hospital and is currently in intensive care. His recovery entered a critical phase, as confirmed by Bogota’s Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan. The attack occurred on Saturday in the Fontibon neighborhood, where armed assailants shot Uribe from behind. Videos circulated on social media showed Uribe bleeding and receiving medical aid immediately after the shooting.

The Attorney General’s Office, investigating the incident, reported that Uribe sustained two gunshot wounds, and two others were injured. A 15-year-old suspect was apprehended at the scene with a firearm. The Colombian government has offered a $730,000 reward for information leading to further progress in the case. The presidency condemned the attack in strong terms and called for a thorough investigation. President Gustavo Petro expressed sympathy for Uribe’s family, emphasizing the importance of respecting life and promising to uncover those responsible for ordering the assault. Petro acknowledged ongoing inquiries into possible security protocol failures as well.

The shooting drew international attention and condemnation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attempted assassination, attributing some blame to what he called Petro’s “inflammatory rhetoric.” Leaders across Latin America, including Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, also condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with Uribe’s family.

In Colombia, former President Alvaro Uribe, founder of the conservative Democratic Centre party to which Miguel Uribe Turbay belongs, mourned the attack as an assault on the nation’s hope. Though Miguel Uribe Turbay is not yet an official candidate, he is considered a key figure in Colombian politics from a well-known family. His father was a businessman and union leader, and his mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was tragically kidnapped and killed in 1991 by a cartel group led by Pablo Escobar during a rescue attempt.

Colombia’s political landscape remains fraught with conflict. For decades, the country has faced violence involving leftist rebels, criminal groups descending from right-wing paramilitary organizations, and the government. This ongoing strife forms the backdrop to the recent attack on Senator Uribe Turbay, highlighting the continuing challenges to peace and political stability in Colombia.

The incident has intensified concerns about security for political figures in Colombia and has sparked calls for enhanced protective measures. President Petro’s administration has promised a thorough investigation and accountability. Meanwhile, the international community watches closely, urging peace and denouncing violence as Colombia approaches its next presidential election cycle. The attack has not only shaken the political sphere but also brought renewed focus on the country’s troubled history of violence and its ongoing struggle toward democratic stability.