Shot Colombian Presidential Candidate Survives Surgery, Still Critical
Synopsis
Miguel Uribe, who was running to be Colombia's president in 2026, is struggling for his life after being shot during a campaign rally in Bogota on Saturday. Senator Uribe, 39, survived emergency surgery but…
Miguel Uribe, who was running to be Colombia's president in 2026, is struggling for his life after being shot during a campaign rally in Bogota on Saturday. Senator Uribe, 39, survived emergency surgery but is still in critical condition, according to his wife.
Attack at Campaign Event
The shooting occurred when Uribe was attending a political rally at a public park in Colombia's capital city, Fontibón. Photographs at the scene depicted the blood-soaked candidate leaning against a white vehicle as individuals attempted to stem his bleeding.
One suspect, a 15-year-old, was arrested on the scene by a security guard and is under police custody. The teen was injured during the arrest and is undergoing medical attention. Police also recovered a Glock-type gun at the scene.
Candidate Still Critical
Uribe was airlifted to a Bogota hospital. Surgeons operated on him immediately. Bogota's mayor, Carlos Fernando Galán, informed reporters that Uribe "made it through the first surgery."
His wife, María Claudia Tarazona, provided an update on her husband's health. "He emerged fine from the surgery, but he is still struggling for his life," she stated. "He battled the first battle and battled it well."
Two other individuals, a man and a woman, were injured in the assault but their wounds are less severe.
Investigation Underway
Police are still unclear why the attack was carried out. Colombia's Defense Minister Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez assured that police and military units will do everything possible to determine what prompted the attack. A reward of 3 billion pesos (approximately $540,000) is offered by the government for information regarding who organized the attack.
President Gustavo Petro, of a different political party than Uribe, also expressed his support to the family of the attacked candidate. "I hope Miguel Uribe will live," Petro stated. "That is what I want more than anything."
The president affirmed that the arrested person is younger than 18 years old. He stated that investigators will concentrate on discovering who sent them to attack him and will also investigate security issues that made it possible.
Political Background
Uribe is a right-wing politician who frequently criticizes President Petro's left-leaning administration. He is a member of the Democratic Centre party and will contest the presidency in 2026.
The candidate is from a prominent political family. His grandfather was president of Colombia from 1978 to 1982. His mother was a journalist who was murdered in 1990 after having been kidnapped by drug lord Pablo Escobar's gang.
International Response
Other nations criticized the attack. The government of Spain stated "there is no place for violence in our societies" and sent good wishes to Uribe's speedy recovery.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also denounced the shooting but attributed it to what he referred to as "violent leftist rhetoric" by Colombia's government. This is amid tensions between the US and Colombia over deportation flights recently.
The raid has shocked Colombia, where political violence has a long and chequered history.
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