Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay is in extremely critical condition following brain surgery to treat a cerebral hemorrhage sustained after he was shot in the head during a campaign rally on June 7 in Bogotá. Uribe, a 39-year-old right-wing opposition politician and potential 2026 presidential candidate, was shot twice in the head in what authorities have described as an assassination attempt. The incident is part of a disturbing resurgence in political violence that has brought back fears of the deadly era of the 1980s and 1990s, when Colombia faced rampant assassinations and bombings amid conflicts between armed rebel groups, paramilitaries, drug cartels, and the government.

After the initial surgery, the Santa Fe Foundation hospital reported that Uribe underwent a second, complementary operation to address complications. Doctors indicated that an urgent neurological procedure was required due to severe inter-cerebral bleeding identified through imaging and clinical evaluation. Despite the efforts, Uribe remains in a serious critical state, with persistent brain swelling and uncontrolled bleeding making his condition precarious.

Three suspects are currently in custody in connection with the attack, including a 15-year-old boy who authorities believe acted as a “sicario” or contract killer. The teenager has been charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm. He has pleaded not guilty. Two other suspects — an adult male, Carlos Eduardo Mora, and a woman — are also being detained. Mora is accused of coordinating the attack, supplying the firearm, and helping the shooter change clothes in a getaway vehicle after the assault.

Uribe belongs to the Democratic Centre party, a conservative political group, and is among several candidates hoping to succeed left-wing President Gustavo Petro in the 2026 elections. His political lineage is notable — his grandfather, Julio Cesar Turbay, was Colombia’s president from 1978 to 1982, while his mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was killed in 1991 during a failed rescue mission after being kidnapped by an armed group working for drug lord Pablo Escobar.

In the aftermath of the attack, the dissident faction of the former FARC rebel group, known as FARC-EMC, publicly denied any involvement. However, they did claim responsibility for a series of unrelated bombings. The group has become increasingly active in areas vacated by the FARC following the 2016 peace accord, which has since faced implementation challenges.

Last week, southwest Colombia was rocked by a string of violent attacks, including car and motorcycle bombings, drone strikes, and gunfire. These attacks targeted police stations and municipal buildings in cities like Cali and towns such as Corinto, El Bordo, and Jamundí. At least seven people were reported dead, intensifying concerns about the deteriorating security situation.

The Colombian government is struggling to contain growing unrest, both in urban centers and rural regions. Multiple rebel factions are competing for territorial control, undermining peace efforts. Talks between the FARC-EMC and the government collapsed last year following repeated violent acts against Indigenous communities, further complicating the path to national stability. The attempted assassination of Uribe underscores the fragility of Colombia’s current political and security landscape.