Colombian presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot in the head by a 15-year-old paid hitman during a Bogotá campaign rally, igniting fears of a return to the country’s violent political past.
Key Takeaways
- Far-right Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay is fighting for his life after being shot in the head during a campaign rally in Bogotá by a teenage hitman.
- This marks the first high-profile political assassination attempt in Colombia in decades, drawing comparisons to the 1989 killing of presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán.
- The attack has intensified political polarization with opposition figures blaming President Gustavo Petro’s administration for deteriorating security conditions.
- Police apprehended the 15-year-old shooter immediately after the attack, and authorities have offered rewards for information about those who ordered the hit.
- Protests have erupted across Colombia demanding justice and improved security measures for political candidates.
Brutal Attack Caught on Camera
The shocking assassination attempt against Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay occurred in broad daylight as he campaigned in Colombia’s capital. Video footage captured the moment when a young assailant approached Uribe and fired at point-blank range, striking the presidential hopeful in the head. The horrific scene unfolded in front of supporters and journalists, sending the crowd into panic. Uribe, a prominent far-right politician and protégé of former president Álvaro Uribe (no relation), immediately collapsed as security personnel rushed to apprehend the shooter and provide emergency aid.
The 15-year-old assassin was quickly subdued by security forces and taken into custody. Preliminary investigations suggest the teenager was paid to carry out the hit, raising alarming questions about who orchestrated this attempt to eliminate a major conservative political figure. Colombian authorities have moved swiftly to launch a comprehensive investigation, with President Petro ordering a full probe despite his ideological differences with the victim. The attack has sent shockwaves throughout the nation, which has worked for decades to move beyond its history of political violence.
Critical Condition and National Response
Following the shooting, Uribe was rushed to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. The politician remains in critical condition as doctors work to save his life. The attempted assassination has prompted an outpouring of support across the political spectrum, even from those who oppose Uribe’s conservative policies. Nationwide protests have erupted demanding justice and enhanced security measures for political candidates, with thousands gathering in major cities holding signs reading “No More Violence” and “Protect Democracy.”
“At this moment, Miguel is fighting for his life. We ask God to guide the hands of the doctors treating him,” Said Maria Claudia Tarazona, Uribe’s wife.
Colombia’s Ministry of Defense has offered substantial rewards for information leading to the masterminds behind the attack. Security experts point to the troubling resurgence of political violence in a country that has worked hard to overcome decades of armed conflict. The assassination attempt has drawn immediate comparisons to the killing of presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán in 1989 during Colombia’s drug cartel-fueled violence, a period many Colombians had hoped was firmly in the past.
Political Fallout and Security Concerns
The attack has exacerbated Colombia’s already tense political environment. Opposition figures have publicly criticized President Petro’s administration, arguing that security conditions have deteriorated significantly under his leftist government. Many conservative politicians have called for immediate action to protect candidates in the upcoming election cycle, warning that democracy itself is at risk if political violence becomes normalized again. The incident threatens to undermine Colombia’s fragile political stability just as the country prepares for presidential elections.
“Evidently this [attack] shows an erosion of Colombia’s security and political climate in the short term,” Said Sergio Guzman, political analyst.
Security experts have noted that the use of a teenage hitman indicates sophisticated criminal planning, as minors face reduced penalties under Colombian law. This tactic has been employed by criminal organizations in the past to shield those ultimately responsible for violent acts. The involvement of a child in this high-profile assassination attempt also highlights the ongoing challenges Colombia faces with youth recruitment into criminal enterprises, despite years of government efforts to address this problem.
International Reaction and Path Forward
International observers have expressed deep concern about the attack’s implications for Colombian democracy. The United States and European Union have offered assistance with the investigation if needed, while emphasizing the importance of protecting political candidates regardless of ideology. Political violence experts warn that this attack could represent a dangerous turning point if not met with a unified response across Colombia’s political spectrum.
“Whoever ordered this assassination… very clearly had the intention of throwing gas onto a fire, trying to be incendiary in an electoral context that is already deeply polarized,” Said Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst.
As Uribe fights for his life, Colombia stands at a crossroads. The nation must decide whether to allow this violence to reignite old divisions or use this moment to strengthen democratic institutions and candidate protections. The coming days will be critical not only for Uribe’s recovery but also for determining whether Colombia can maintain its hard-won political stability in the face of this shocking assault on its democratic process.
