Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot during a campaign rally on June 7, 2025, in Bogota and remains in critical condition, with doctors indicating he needs “a miracle” to survive. The 39-year-old opposition politician, a potential contender for Colombia’s 2026 presidential election, was speaking to a small crowd in a public park in the Fontibon neighborhood when he was shot from behind by armed assailants.
Uribe, a member of the conservative Democratic Center party founded by former President Álvaro Uribe, suffered two gunshot wounds during the attack. Videos circulated on social media showed the senator bleeding from his head while being assisted after the shooting. He was subsequently transported to Santa Fe Foundation Hospital where he underwent emergency neurosurgical and vascular procedures.
A 15-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene carrying a Glock 9mm pistol. According to authorities, the weapon had been purchased legally in Arizona in 2020. The minor was also injured during the attack and has not yet been questioned due to his condition. He is expected to face charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of a weapon.
The hospital reported that Uribe had shown little response to medical interventions following his initial surgery. Medical director Adolfo Llinás Volpe described his condition as extremely serious. Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, posted on social media that her husband was fighting for his life and requested prayers, stating he needed a miracle to survive.
President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack and pledged a comprehensive investigation to identify those responsible for ordering the assassination attempt. Petro emphasized that no resources would be spared in finding the mastermind behind the shooting, whether in Colombia or abroad. He noted that the use of a minor in the attack reflected the growing trend of organized crime groups employing children for violent acts.
The Colombian government has offered a reward of approximately $730,000 for information leading to the identification and capture of those responsible for the attack. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed that authorities were investigating whether others were involved in the assassination attempt and announced increased security measures for all presidential candidates.
Uribe comes from one of Colombia’s most prominent political families. He is the grandson of former President Julio César Turbay Ayala, who served from 1978 to 1982. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped in 1990 by an armed group under the command of drug cartel leader Pablo Escobar and was killed during a botched rescue operation in 1991. The Harvard-educated senator had announced his presidential bid from the location where his mother was killed, emphasizing his choice to forgive rather than seek revenge.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a strong condemnation of the attempted assassination, while also criticizing President Petro’s rhetoric as contributing to political violence. International leaders across Latin America expressed solidarity with Uribe’s family and condemned the attack. Chilean President Gabriel Boric stated there was no room for violence in democracy, while Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa condemned all forms of violence and intolerance.
Supporters gathered outside the hospital where Uribe was being treated, holding candlelight vigils and waving Colombian flags. The attack has raised concerns about the resurgence of political violence in Colombia, a country that has experienced decades of conflict between leftist rebels, criminal groups descended from right-wing paramilitaries, and government forces.
The Democratic Center party described the shooting as an unacceptable act of violence and called for a thorough investigation. While Uribe has not yet officially declared his candidacy for the 2026 presidential election, he has been positioning himself as a potential contender and has been actively campaigning throughout the country.
The Attorney General’s Office is leading the investigation into the shooting, which wounded two other individuals in addition to Uribe. Authorities are examining potential security protocol failures that may have allowed the attack to occur. The incident has prompted discussions about enhancing protection for political figures and addressing the broader issue of violence in Colombian politics.
