Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay remains in extremely critical condition after undergoing brain surgery to address a severe inter-cerebral bleed. The injury stemmed from an assassination attempt on June 7, 2025, when Uribe was shot twice in the head during a campaign rally in Bogotá. He is a 39-year-old right-wing opposition figure and a potential candidate for the 2026 presidential elections.

Uribe's condition deteriorated due to persistent brain swelling and continued internal bleeding, prompting a second, urgent neurological operation. The Santa Fe Foundation hospital confirmed that despite being stable post-surgery, Uribe's state remains critical. Medical imaging revealed acute brain bleeding that was proving difficult to control, leading to fears for his survival.

The assassination attempt has reignited memories of Colombia’s violent past, especially the 1980s and 1990s, when political killings, bombings, and clashes between guerrilla groups, paramilitary forces, drug cartels, and state security agencies were rampant. The attack on Uribe is viewed by many as a troubling echo of those dark times.

Three suspects are currently in custody in connection with the attack. This includes a 15-year-old boy who allegedly acted as the shooter. Authorities believe he was a “sicario,” or paid hitman. The boy has been charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm but has pleaded not guilty. Along with him, an adult male, Carlos Eduardo Mora, is accused of orchestrating the attack by providing the weapon and facilitating the shooter’s escape. A woman is also in custody, though her role has not been detailed.

Uribe belongs to the conservative Democratic Centre party and comes from a prominent political lineage. His grandfather, Julio César Turbay, served as Colombia’s president from 1978 to 1982. His mother, Diana Turbay, a respected journalist, was killed in 1991 during a failed rescue mission after being kidnapped by a criminal group led by drug lord Pablo Escobar.

While the main dissident faction of the now-defunct FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) denied involvement in Uribe’s shooting, it did claim responsibility for a string of unrelated bombings. The attack on Uribe came amid a surge in violence across Colombia. Cities like Cali, Corinto, El Bordo, and Jamundí have faced a wave of attacks, including bombings, drone strikes, and gunfire. These incidents targeted police stations and public buildings, leaving at least seven people dead.

The Colombian government is facing increased challenges in maintaining peace, particularly as new and existing armed groups vie for control over territories left vacant by the FARC after its peace agreement. Negotiations between the government and the FARC-EMC, a dissident faction, collapsed last year after the group carried out attacks on Indigenous communities.

The overall security situation in Colombia appears to be deteriorating again, with political violence rising and armed groups asserting influence. Uribe’s critical condition, paired with ongoing unrest, underscores the fragile state of Colombia’s internal security as the country prepares for its next presidential election cycle.