Colombian presidential candidate in 'critical condition' following 'assassination attempt' - as 15-year-old arrested
8 June 2025, 19:07 | Updated: 8 June 2025, 19:20
A Colombian senator running to be the next president was shot in the head and seriously injured at a campaign rally in a park in Bogota.
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Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, was shot and "critically" injured during a campaign rally at a park in the Fontibon area of the Colombian capital, according to the Attorney General's Office.
The Colombian presidential candidate suffered two gunshot wounds when armed gunmen shot him from behind.
He appeared to be bleeding from his head as aides and people in the crowd helped him, in a video posted on social media.
Social media footage showed the presidential candidate being shot as he gave a speech to crowds at the rally.
The senator has been admitted to hospital in "critical condition" and is undergoing a "neurosurgical and peripheral vascular procedure" according to a medical report at the Santa Fe Foundation hospital.
A 15-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene in possession of a firearm, and is being treated for a leg injury, police chief General Carlos Triana said.
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The suspect was arrested carrying a "9mm Glock-type firearm."
Two other people were injured in the attack but the nature of their injuries has not been made public.
The senator's wife Maria Claudia Tarazone wrote in a post on Mr Uribe's X account that he is "fighting for his life" and urged Colombians to pray for him.
Soy Maria Claudia Tarazona, esposa de Miguel.
— Miguel Uribe (@MiguelUribeT) June 8, 2025
Miguel está luchando en estos momentos por su vida. Pidamos a Dios que guíe las manos de los doctores que están atendiéndolo.
Les pido a todos unirnos en una cadena de oración por la vida de Miguel.
Pongo mi Fe en Dios 🙏🏼
She later said he survived an initial operation for the injuries.
Ms Tarazone said: "Miguel came out of surgery, he made it. Every hour is a critical hour. He fought his first battle, and it went well. This will take time."
The hospital said Mr Uribe Turbay had undergone procedures on his head and his left thigh, and remained in intensive care as doctors try to stabilise his condition.
The government is offering a $730,000 (£540,000) reward for information and President Gustavo Petro said the investigation will focus on who ordered the attack.
"For now there is nothing more than hypothesis," he said, adding that failures in security protocols would also be looked into.
The Colombian senator was accompanied by a team of 21 people at the time of the shooting, including councilman Andres Barrios, his office said.
He planned to run as the presidential candidate for the right-wing Democratic Center Party in the Colombian presidential elections, which will take place on 31 May 2026.
If successful, he would succeed President Gustavo Petro, the Latin American country's first left-wing leader.
The Democratic Center Party described the shooting as an "unacceptable act of violence."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X that he condemned "the attempted assassination" the senator. He called the attack "a direct threat to democracy" and said "we stand in prayer with Miguel's family, loved ones, and his supporters."
He called for those responsible for the attack to face justice.
Other Latin American leaders have sent messages of support.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric said: "There is no room or justification for violence in a democracy."
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said: "We condemn all forms of violence and intolerance."
Uribe comes from a prominent Colombian political family. He is the grandson of Julio César Turbay Ayala, who governed the country from 1978 to 1982, and died in 2005.
