In a chilling act that has rocked Colombia’s political landscape, Senator Miguel Uribe, a prominent opposition leader and declared candidate for the 2026 presidential elections, was shot during a public rally in Bogotá on Friday evening. The 39-year-old politician, affiliated with the right-leaning Democratic Center party, remains in intensive care after suffering a critical gunshot wound, reportedly to the neck or head.
Footage circulating widely on social media shows Uribe addressing a crowd with passion when multiple gunshots echo through the air, sending supporters fleeing in panic. Moments later, Uribe is seen collapsed on the hood of a white vehicle, bleeding profusely, while aides and bystanders attempt to provide immediate assistance.
Teenager Arrested as Key Suspect
Colombian authorities confirmed the arrest of a 15-year-old male suspect in connection with the shooting. Bogotá’s Mayor Carlos Galán announced via X (formerly Twitter) that the alleged shooter had been apprehended shortly after the attack. While Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo acknowledged the arrest, she noted that a full verification of the suspect’s identity and motive is still underway.
Government and Opposition Unite to Condemn Attack
“This is not merely an attack on a political figure—it is an assault on democracy itself,” President Gustavo Petro’s office said in a strongly worded statement. Despite the ideological divide between Petro’s leftist government and Uribe’s conservative stance, the presidency unequivocally condemned the act as an attack on political freedom and national stability.
The Democratic Center party described the shooting as a “cowardly attack from behind,” expressing outrage and sorrow. “This attack not only endangers the life of a key political leader but threatens the democratic fabric of our nation,” the party’s statement read. Alvaro Uribe, the former Colombian president and an influential figure in the party, called the shooting “an attack against a hope for the country.”
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Reward Offered as Investigation Expands
Authorities are now intensifying the investigation, with Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez announcing a reward of nearly $700,000 for information leading to anyone else involved in orchestrating the attack. While the suspect is in custody, officials have not ruled out the possibility of a broader conspiracy or ideological motivation behind the act.
A Legacy Family, A Modern Voice
Miguel Uribe hails from one of Colombia’s most prominent political families. He is the grandson of former President Julio César Turbay, who governed Colombia from 1978 to 1982. His mother, Diana Turbay, was a respected journalist tragically killed during a botched military rescue from Pablo Escobar’s Medellín Cartel in 1991 after being kidnapped.
Having served as Bogotá’s government secretary and a city councilor, Miguel Uribe became a senator in 2022. His previous mayoral run in 2019 ended in defeat, but his campaign reinvention had gained significant momentum ahead of the 2026 election.
Widespread Solidarity and International Concern
As news of the attack spread, political leaders across the spectrum joined in condemning the violence. Former presidential candidates, journalists, civic activists, and ordinary citizens expressed shock and solidarity, trending hashtags such as #FuerzaUribe and #DemocraciaBajoAtaque across social media platforms.
International reaction has also begun to pour in, with the Organization of American States (OAS) calling for a transparent investigation and heightened protection for public figures ahead of Colombia’s 2026 elections.
Security Heightened Amid Election Fears
In the meantime, security around political events in Bogotá and other cities has been tightened, with law enforcement agencies reviewing threat assessments for other politicians.
This latest episode adds to growing concerns about political violence in Colombia, a nation that has made significant but fragile strides toward peace after decades of conflict with guerrilla groups and paramilitary forces. The assassination attempt revives haunting memories of past eras when political figures were frequent targets.
What Lies Ahead
As doctors battle to save Uribe’s life, his supporters and critics alike are left reflecting on the dangerous undercurrents threatening Colombia’s democratic process. Whether this attack galvanizes calls for reform or deepens political divides remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: the road to Colombia’s 2026 elections has taken a dark and unexpected turn.
