Colombian Presidential Candidate Miguel Uribe Shot During Campaign Event

Shooting Incident at Political Rally

In a distressing event, Miguel Uribe, a candidate for the Colombian presidency, was shot while attending a campaign rally in the Fontibon area of Bogota on Saturday. The Mayor of Bogota, Carlos Galan, confirmed that Uribe is currently receiving urgent medical care following the incident. He noted that the entire hospital network in the capital is on standby should Uribe require transfer to a different facility. Galan also reported that the individual suspected of carrying out the shooting has been apprehended, and an investigation is currently in progress. Colombian media outlets have indicated that Uribe is in critical condition.

Eyewitness Accounts and Reactions

Photographs from the scene depicted bystanders assisting Uribe, who appeared to have sustained a gunshot wound to the head during the political gathering, as reported by local news.

Government's Response to the Attack

The Colombian government has issued a statement denouncing the attack on Uribe. A message from the official government account on social media stated, "The National Government unequivocally and strongly condemns the attack on Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay that occurred recently." The government emphasized that this incident transcends a mere attack on an individual senator, framing it as an assault on democracy, freedom of expression, and the rightful practice of politics in Colombia.

Officials have expressed their support for Uribe's family and his team, urging law enforcement to carry out a thorough investigation and hold those accountable for this violent act.

Background on Miguel Uribe

Miguel Uribe Turbay, aged 39, has been a prominent figure in Colombian politics, serving as a senator since 2022. He is the son of journalist Diana Turbay and the grandson of former president Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala.