Senator Miguel Uribe of the opposition Democratic Center party remains hospitalized in serious condition following a targeted shooting at a public park; one suspect arrested as investigation intensifies.
Bogotá, June 8 – Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe, a rising political figure and presidential candidate for the 2026 elections, was shot on Saturday during a campaign event in Bogotá. Authorities confirmed that the 39-year-old member of the conservative opposition Democratic Center party was seriously injured and is currently being treated at a local hospital.
The incident occurred in Fontibón, a densely populated neighborhood in western Bogotá, where Uribe was addressing supporters in a public park. According to an official statement released by the Democratic Center, “armed subjects shot him in the back,” during the gathering. While the party called the attack “serious,” it did not provide further updates on Uribe’s medical condition.
The Democratic Center party, founded by former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe (no relation), strongly condemned the attack and demanded swift justice.
Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed the arrest of one suspect involved in the attack. Authorities are now investigating the possibility of additional accomplices. Sánchez also visited the hospital where the senator is receiving treatment and emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring a transparent and thorough investigation.
President Gustavo Petro issued a public statement on behalf of the Colombian government, denouncing the violence. “We categorically and forcefully reject this cowardly attack. Violence has no place in our democracy,” the statement read.
President Petro later expressed personal sympathy via a message on X (formerly Twitter), referencing Uribe’s tragic family history. “I don’t know how to ease your pain. It is the pain of a mother lost, and of a homeland,” he said.
Uribe hails from a prominent Colombian family with deep political and media ties. His father was a businessman and union leader, while his late mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped in 1990 by a faction linked to Pablo Escobar. She was killed during a failed rescue mission, a traumatic event that has profoundly shaped Uribe’s public service mission.
The shooting adds to growing concerns over political violence in Colombia, a country still grappling with the long shadows of internal conflict involving leftist guerrillas, drug cartels, and right-wing paramilitaries. While Colombia’s peace process has made progress, the polarized political climate remains volatile.
As Senator Uribe fights for his life, supporters and opponents alike are calling for national unity. Political leaders across the spectrum have urged calm and demanded an end to attacks on democratic institutions.
The next few days will be crucial not only for Uribe’s recovery but also for Colombia’s ongoing struggle to safeguard its electoral processes from violence.