Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe is in critical condition after being shot during a campaign event in Bogotá on Saturday. According to his wife and official sources, Uribe was rushed to a hospital and is currently fighting for his life.
Authorities reported that a boy under the age of 15 was detained at the scene carrying a 9mm Glock-type handgun. President Gustavo Petro has called for a full investigation into the incident, including who may have ordered the attack.
Uribe, 39, is a key figure in the conservative opposition party Democratic Center and was participating in an early campaign event ahead of the 2026 presidential race. The attack took place in a public park in the Fontibón neighborhood of the capital. His party condemned the shooting, stating that armed individuals shot him from behind, but did not disclose further details on his condition.
Footage circulating on social media appeared to show Uribe bleeding from the head as he received medical attention.
Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter) that he was “fighting for his life.”
Supporters gathered outside the Santa Fe Foundation hospital where the senator is being treated. Some held candlelight vigils and waved national flags in a show of solidarity.
Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed the arrest of a suspect and said investigators are looking into the possibility of other people being involved. He also visited the hospital where Uribe is being treated.
The government is offering a reward of around $730,000 for information related to the case.
A statement from the presidential office strongly condemned the attack and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation. President Petro expressed condolences to Uribe’s family and referred to the event as a national tragedy. In a later address, Petro confirmed the shooter was a minor and said investigators were working to uncover who may have orchestrated the assault. He also indicated that there would be a review of potential lapses in security.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement condemning the attempted assassination and attributed the violence to what he described as divisive rhetoric from President Petro.
Though not yet an official candidate, Uribe has been considered a potential presidential hopeful. He comes from a well-known Colombian family. His father was a businessman and union advocate, while his mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped in 1990 by an armed group linked to notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar and was killed during a rescue mission the following year.
Colombia continues to face violence rooted in decades of conflict involving insurgent groups, organized crime, and state forces.
