Colombian presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe shot in assassination attempt

Colombian presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe was critically wounded after an assassination attempt during a campaign event in the Fontibon neighbourhood of Bogotá on June 7. 

The 39-year-old senator, a candidate for the 2026 presidential election and member of the opposition conservative Democratic Centre party, was shot in the head and is currently fighting for his life in the hospital, Caliber.Az reports, citing Western media.

According to a statement from Uribe’s party, armed assailants opened fire on the senator from behind while he was hosting a public campaign event in a city park. Videos circulated on social media showed Uribe being tended to immediately after the attack, with visible bleeding from his head.

Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, confirmed on social media that her husband remains in critical condition, describing him as “fighting for his life.”

Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting, and authorities are investigating whether additional perpetrators were involved. Sánchez visited the hospital where Uribe is being treated and vowed a thorough investigation.

The Colombian presidency condemned the violent attack in a statement, calling for accountability and a swift inquiry. President Gustavo Petro, a leftwing leader, expressed sympathy to Uribe’s family, recalling the senator’s personal tragedy: his mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped and killed in a rescue operation during the era of cartel violence led by Pablo Escobar.

Petro revealed that the arrested suspect is a minor and stressed that the investigation will focus on uncovering who orchestrated the attack. He also highlighted possible security protocol failures that will be examined.

In a sharp response, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack and criticised President Petro’s rhetoric, attributing it to a climate that fosters violence: "The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe. This is a direct threat to democracy and the result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government. Having seen firsthand Colombia’s progress over the past few decades to consolidate security and democracy, it can’t afford to go back to dark days of political violence. President Petro needs to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials. We stand in prayer with Miguel’s family, loved ones, and his supporters. Those responsible for this attack must face justice."

By Khagan Isayev