Rubio reacts to the shooting of Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe

US and Latin American Leaders Condemn Attack on Colombian Presidential Candidate

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with several politicians from the US and Latin America, expressed strong condemnation following the shooting of Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe on Sunday.

Rubio described the assassination attempt as a manifestation of the “violent left rhetoric” emerging from the Colombian government. Uribe, a senator, is currently fighting for his life, having sustained three gunshot wounds, including one to the head.

“The United States denounces the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe in the strongest possible terms,” Rubio stated. “This act poses a direct threat to democracy and stems from violent leftist rhetoric from the highest levels of the Colombian government.”

He noted the significant progress Colombia has made in merging security with democracy over recent decades and cautioned against a regression to the darker periods of political violence.

Reactions from Political Leaders

Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno also denounced the attack via social media, calling it a “sleazy attack on democracy” and emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation and swift consequences for those responsible.

Chilean President Gabriel Borik joined the chorus of condemnation, stating, “I strongly condemn the attack on former presidential candidate Miguel Uribe. Violence has no place or justification in a democracy.”

Authorities report that Uribe was shot by a 15-year-old hitman, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the individuals behind the attack.

As Uribe struggles for his life, his wife Maria Claudia Tarazona called for prayers, asking everyone to join a prayer chain for her husband.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Uribe’s principal rival in the election, mentioned that the attack prompts a need for an investigation into what he referred to as crossing a “red line.” He subsequently canceled a planned trip to France, citing the seriousness of the situation.