Bogota [Colombia], June 8 (ANI): Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe, a prominent member of the conservative Centro Democrático party and a declared contender in next year’s presidential race, was shot during a campaign event in Bogota, according to national police and CNN reports.
The 39-year-old lawmaker, affiliated with one of the country’s major opposition parties, was targeted while speaking at a public gathering around 5:00 pm in the Fontibon district of the capital. “Armed individuals shot him in the back while he was participating in a campaign event,” the party stated.
Bogota Mayor Carlos Galán confirmed that Uribe was receiving emergency medical care following the attack and that the suspected shooter had been taken into custody. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation.
The incident sparked a wave of condemnation from Colombian officials, opposition leaders, and international figures. President Gustavo Petro offered his condolences to Uribe’s family in a message on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “I don’t know how to ease your pain. It is the pain of a mother lost, and of a wounded homeland.”
The Colombian Foreign Ministry denounced the shooting as “a direct affront to democracy, respect for differences, and the free exercise of politics in our country.” The ministry urged authorities to “fully clarify this serious incident.”
Uribe’s party, Centro Democrático, called the attack “an unacceptable act of violence,” warning that it not only endangered the life of a political figure but also posed a threat to democracy and freedom in Colombia. “We strongly reject this attack,” the party declared in a public statement.
Former Colombian presidents Ernesto Samper, Alvaro Uribe, Juan Manuel Santos, and Ivan Duque all condemned the assault in separate messages, underscoring its significance for Colombia’s fragile political stability.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa also voiced his support for Uribe’s family, stating, “We condemn all forms of violence and intolerance.”
The United Nations Human Rights Office in Bogota released a statement urging authorities to ensure accountability and safeguard the political process. “We call for the guarantee of political rights and a political debate free from violence,” the office said on X.
As of now, Uribe’s medical condition remains closely monitored by doctors, and further details are expected from local authorities as investigations continue. (ANI)
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