Bogota: In a shocking act of political violence, Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a prominent opposition figure and likely contender in the 2026 presidential race, was critically injured after being shot during a public event in Bogotá on Saturday. Authorities have arrested a 15-year-old suspect in connection with the attack.
The incident unfolded at El Golfito Park in the Fontibón district, where Senator Uribe was addressing supporters. Eyewitnesses reported that two individuals on a motorcycle approached the scene before one opened fire, hitting the senator in the head and chest. Chaos erupted as security personnel rushed to his aid.
Uribe was immediately airlifted to the Santa Fe Foundation Clinic, where he is undergoing emergency surgeries. Medical sources say his condition is critical but stable. His wife, María Claudia Tarazona, stated via social media, “Miguel is fighting for his life. Please keep him in your prayers.”
The arrest of the teenaged shooter has raised serious concerns over the broader implications of the attack. Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s identity but confirmed that investigations are underway to determine if others were involved or if the shooter was part of a wider conspiracy.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a reward of 3 billion Colombian pesos (approx. USD 730,000) for information that may lead to the arrest of any accomplices or masterminds behind the assassination attempt.
President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack in strong terms, calling it “an assault on democracy” and pledging a full investigation. The president also canceled his upcoming state visit to France to personally monitor the developments.
International leaders, including officials from the United States, Chile, and Ecuador, expressed deep concern and solidarity. Some opposition voices criticized the government’s tone and demanded increased protection for political figures in the lead-up to the 2026 presidential elections.
Senator Uribe, 39, is a member of the Democratic Centre party and has been an outspoken critic of the Petro administration. He is the grandson of former Colombian President Julio César Turbay and the son of journalist Diana Turbay, who was killed in 1991 during a hostage crisis linked to drug cartels.
The incident has drawn comparisons to the dark era of Colombian politics in the 1980s and 1990s when political assassinations were rampant. Analysts warn that this attack signals a dangerous rise in targeted violence during a sensitive electoral period.
Security has since been tightened across Bogotá, and the government has vowed swift justice. The National Police and Attorney General’s Office are continuing the probe into what is now one of the most serious political attacks in Colombia’s recent history.