Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay remains in critical condition after being shot twice during a campaign rally in Bogota on June 7, 2025, with medical officials stating he needs “a miracle” to survive. The 39-year-old potential presidential contender underwent major surgery over the weekend but has shown little response to medical interventions.
The shooting occurred during a campaign event in a public park in the Fontibon neighborhood when armed subjects shot Uribe from behind. Videos circulated on social media showed the senator bleeding from his head as bystanders rushed to provide assistance. He was transported to Santa Fe Foundation hospital where he underwent neurosurgical and vascular procedures on his head and left thigh.
A 15-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene carrying a Glock 9mm pistol. The weapon was reportedly purchased legally in Arizona in 2020. According to witnesses, the minor allegedly shouted after the attack that he committed the act for money for his family. The suspect was also injured during the incident and has not yet been questioned due to his condition.
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed that Uribe received two gunshot wounds and that two other individuals were wounded in the attack. The office submitted 129 videos, witness testimonies and the seizure of the pistol as evidence. The suspect is expected to face charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of a weapon.
President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack and vowed to identify those responsible. Petro indicated that no resource should be spared in finding the mastermind behind the assassination attempt, whether in Colombia or abroad. The president noted that the involvement of a minor hinted at organized crime groups’ growing use of children for violent acts.
The Colombian government is offering approximately $730,000 as a reward for information leading to the identification and capture of those responsible for the attack. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed that authorities are investigating whether others were involved in the shooting.
Uribe belongs to the opposition conservative Democratic Center party founded by former President Alvaro Uribe, though the two men are not related. The senator was campaigning for a potential 2026 presidential run when the attack occurred. His party described the shooting as an unacceptable act of violence and called for a thorough investigation.
The senator comes from a prominent Colombian political family. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped in 1990 by an armed group under Pablo Escokar’s command and killed during a rescue operation in 1991. His father was a businessman and union leader. Uribe is also the grandson of former President Julio César Turbay Ayala, who served from 1978 to 1982.
Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, shared emotional messages requesting prayers for her husband’s recovery. Medical director Adolfo Llinás Volpe described the senator’s condition as extremely serious, stating that he had shown little response to medical interventions following the initial surgery.
International condemnation of the attack came swiftly. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attempted assassination in the strongest possible terms while blaming Petro’s inflammatory rhetoric for contributing to the violence. Leaders from Chile, Ecuador, Spain and Venezuela also expressed solidarity with Uribe’s family and condemned political violence.
Supporters gathered outside the hospital where Uribe is being treated, holding candlelight vigils and carrying Colombian flags while praying for his recovery. The government has ordered increased security for all presidential candidates following the attack.
The incident underscores Colombia’s ongoing struggle with political violence, as the country continues to grapple with decades of conflict involving leftist rebels, criminal groups descended from right-wing paramilitaries, and government forces. Criminal organizations in Colombia have frequently used minors to carry out violent acts, according to authorities.
Former President Alvaro Uribe expressed support for the senator, describing him as representing hope for the country and praising his roles as husband, father and colleague. The attack has renewed concerns about the safety of political figures in Colombia’s volatile political landscape.
