Colombian Presidential Candidate Shot in Bogota

Miguel Uribe Turbay, a right-wing candidate for Colombia’s presidency, is recovering after being shot multiple times, including twice in the head and once in the knee.

The incident occurred on Saturday in Bogota while the 39-year-old was engaging with supporters. After the attack, he was airlifted to a local hospital, where he was reportedly in critical condition but has since undergone a successful initial surgery, as noted by Bogota’s Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan.

“He fought the first battle and fought it well. He is fighting for his life,” Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, commented.

An official from the attorney general’s office reported the arrest of a 15-year-old suspect at the location. It was also mentioned that this suspect was shot in the leg during law enforcement’s response, plus a 9mm Glock-type firearm was seized from the scene.

Expressing condemnation of the violence, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as a “direct threat to democracy,” citing what he called the “violent leftist rhetoric” from the current Colombian government.

Rubio emphasized, “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.”

In contrast, Colombia’s leftist President Gustavo Petro retorted to Rubio by sharing a response that accused the U.S. of sowing hatred amid this national tragedy.

Uribe, a prominent critic of President Petro, announced his presidential candidacy last October. His family’s political ties run deep; he is the grandson of Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala, who served as president from 1978 to 1982. His mother, Diana Turbay, was a journalist tragically killed in 1991 during a failed rescue after a kidnapping by the Medellin cartel.

The Colombian election is scheduled for next May.