A conservative Colombian senator and presidential hopeful, Miguel Uribe Turbay, was shot from behind at a campaign event in Bogotá on Saturday. His condition remains unclear, and the motive for the attack has not been established.
The shooting occurred amid rising political tensions in Colombia, as President Gustavo Petro seeks to implement labor regulation changes opposed by Uribe and other conservatives. Armed conflict continues to affect the country, primarily in rural areas.
The Democratic Center party, to which Uribe belongs, condemned the attack as “an unacceptable act of violence,” emphasizing its threat to democracy and political freedom in Colombia. President Petro expressed his concern and canceled a planned trip to France, offering his solidarity to Uribe's family.
A video shows Uribe delivering a speech before appearing to be shot, followed by footage of him bleeding while bystanders attempt to assist him. Uribe had announced his intention to seek his party's nomination for the presidential election scheduled for May 31, 2026, though he was not considered a leading candidate.
As of Saturday evening, one suspect had been detained. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a reward of up to 3 billion Colombian pesos (approximately $730,000) for information leading to the identification of others involved in the shooting. He stated that military and police forces would be deployed to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Uribe is the grandson of former President Julio César Turbay and is not related to former President Álvaro Uribe. His family has a history of being affected by political violence; his mother, Diana Turbay, was kidnapped and killed by the Medellín Cartel in 1991.
Colombia has faced decades of violence rooted in inequality, land disputes, and drug trade conflicts. While high-profile political violence has decreased in recent years, Saturday's incident has raised concerns about a possible resurgence of such violence.
Political analyst Sergio Guzmán described Uribe as a “rising star” on the right, noting that the shooting is a “shocking development” that feels regressive for the nation. President Petro, elected in 2022 with a promise of “total peace,” has struggled to make progress on this front, with Uribe frequently criticizing him for ongoing violence.
On Saturday night, Uribe's wife, María Claudia Tarazona, shared on social media that he is fighting for his life and requested prayers for his recovery.