Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe is in critical condition after being shot during a campaign event in Bogota, allegedly by a 15-year-old armed with a Glock pistol. Uribe, a 39-year-old member of the center-right Democratic Center party, had recently declared his candidacy for the 2026 presidential election. The shooting occurred in the Fontibon district, and video footage shows him collapsing as gunshots rang out. Authorities apprehended the minor immediately after the attack.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro strongly condemned the shooting, calling it a threat to democracy and vowing to uncover those behind the attack. Petro suggested that criminal organizations may have orchestrated the event using minors as pawns, a tactic seen in other political assassinations. He pledged full resources for an independent investigation and expressed his hope for Uribe’s recovery, emphasizing that politics must remain free from violence.
Senator Uribe Undergoes Critical Surgery, Supported By Family Amid Political Legacy
Uribe was rushed to the Santa Fe de Bogota Foundation hospital, where he underwent neurosurgical and vascular procedures. Though his condition is stable, doctors say it remains critical. Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, posted a heartfelt plea on social media, asking the public for prayers and support. Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo later confirmed his condition in a televised interview, emphasizing the gravity of his injuries.
Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Shot During Campaign Rally in Shocking AttackMiguel Uribe comes from a historically significant political family. He is the grandson of former President Julio César Turbay Ayala and son of journalist Diana Turbay, who was murdered during a kidnapping operation involving Pablo Escobar’s cartel. Uribe, a Harvard graduate, became a senator in 2022 after a career in Bogota’s local government. Known for advocating security and foreign investment, he launched his presidential bid in 2024 at the site of his mother’s death, stressing his message of forgiveness over vengeance.
Global And National Leaders Condemn Attack, Emphasizing Colombia’s Fragile Political Stability
The attack sparked widespread condemnation from national and international leaders. President Petro’s office, the Defense Ministry, and Uribe’s Democratic Center party all issued strong statements denouncing the violence. A reward of 3 billion pesos was offered for information on the perpetrators. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the Colombian government’s rhetoric, calling the attack a threat to democratic values. President Petro, however, rejected what he saw as political exploitation of the incident.
The shooting of Uribe is a chilling reminder of Colombia’s violent political past. Uribe is among a new generation of politicians shaped by familial losses during Colombia’s era of political assassinations in the 1980s and ’90s. Like Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán and Senator María José Pizarro—both children of assassinated leaders—Uribe’s political path reflects a legacy of trauma and resilience. The incident raises deep concerns about the safety of political candidates and the fragility of democratic stability in Colombia.