On June 7, 2025, Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a prominent right-wing presidential candidate for the 2026 election, was shot in the head and knee during a campaign rally in Bogotá’s Fontibón neighborhood, plunging the nation into shock and reigniting fears of its violent political past. The 39-year-old, a rising star in the Centro Democrático party, underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition, with Colombians and world leaders condemning the attack as a threat to democracy. A 15-year-old suspect is in custody, but questions about the motives and masterminds behind the assassination attempt loom large. For East African readers, this incident underscores the fragility of democratic processes in politically polarized nations, echoing regional concerns about electoral violence.
The Attack: A Brazen Assault
The incident occurred around 5 p.m. at El Golfito Park, where Uribe was addressing a small crowd of supporters. Video footage verified by The New York Times captures the moment gunshots rang out, interrupting Uribe’s speech. The senator was struck twice in the head and once in the knee, collapsing against a white car as panic ensued. Bystanders and bodyguards subdued a 15-year-old suspect, who was arrested with a 9mm Glock-type pistol, according to Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office. The teenager, also injured in the leg during the apprehension, is under investigation, with authorities probing whether he was a hired sicario (hitman) acting on orders from larger criminal or political forces.
Uribe was airlifted to the Santa Fe Foundation hospital, where he underwent neurosurgical and peripheral vascular procedures. Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán reported on June 8 that Uribe had survived the initial surgery but entered “critical hours” of recovery. The hospital’s medical director confirmed on June 9 that Uribe remains in intensive care, with his condition described as “extremely serious.” His wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, posted on X, “Miguel is currently fighting for his life. Let us ask God to guide the hands of the doctors who are treating him,” prompting candlelight vigils outside the hospital.
A Nation Haunted by Violence
The attack has revived memories of Colombia’s dark history of political violence, particularly the 1980s and 1990s, when drug cartels and armed groups targeted politicians. Uribe, whose mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped by Pablo Escobar’s Medellín Cartel and killed in a 1991 rescue operation, is no stranger to this legacy. His grandfather, former President Julio César Turbay Ayala (1978–1982), also navigated a turbulent era. Hours before the shooting, Uribe had spoken about his mother’s death, vowing to end such violence, a mission now tragically underscored by his own attack.
Elizabeth Dickinson of Crisis Group International told NPR, “Essentially what we have tonight is a return to a very dark era of politics in Colombia when violence was used as a political tool at the highest level of elections.” The 1989 assassination of presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán, father of Bogotá’s current mayor, was cited as a chilling parallel. Mayor Galán condemned the attack, stating, “Political violence has cost our country too much blood.”
Political Context and Polarization
Uribe, a fierce critic of leftist President Gustavo Petro, has campaigned on promises of enhanced security and foreign investment, aligning with the hard-line policies of former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez (2002–2010), his political mentor but not a relative. The shooting comes amid heightened tensions, with Petro pushing controversial labor reforms opposed by Uribe and other conservatives. Some, like U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have blamed Petro’s “violent leftist rhetoric” for inciting the attack, a claim Petro rejected as “opportunistic.” Petro condemned the shooting, canceled a planned trip to France, and urged Colombians to focus on Uribe’s survival, stating, “Respect life, that’s the red line.” He also promised an investigation into security protocol failures and potential “crime bosses” behind the attack.
Conservative frontrunner Vicky Dáv comprehensible attributed sole responsibility to Petro, while former presidents Ernesto Samper, Juan Manuel Santos, and Iván Duque joined global leaders like Chile’s Gabriel Boric and Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa in condemning the violence. Colombia’s Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez offered a $730,000 reward for information leading to the perpetrators’ capture, emphasizing a full deployment of military and police resources.
Implications for Colombia and Beyond
For East African readers, the attack resonates with regional experiences of electoral violence, such as Kenya’s 2007 post-election clashes or Uganda’s 2021 campaign crackdowns. Colombia’s struggle to maintain democratic stability amid polarization mirrors challenges in nations like Ethiopia, where political assassinations have historically disrupted governance. The use of a minor as the alleged shooter raises concerns about organized crime exploiting youth, a tactic seen in East African gang-related violence.
The shooting could reshape Colombia’s 2026 presidential race, with candidates like Dávila demanding greater protection. It also highlights the fragility of Petro’s “total peace” agenda, which has faltered as armed groups escalate attacks, with dozens of soldiers and police killed in April 2025.
Looking Ahead
As Uribe fights for his life, Colombia holds its breath. The investigation into the 15-year-old suspect and potential masterminds will be critical, with Petro vowing to uncover the “intellectual authors.” The attack’s fallout could deepen distrust in Petro’s government, boost conservative calls for tougher security, or galvanize demands for unity. For East Africans, this serves as a stark reminder of the stakes in democratic transitions and the enduring threat of violence in polarized societies.
