BOGOTA, Columbia – Colombia’s government has ordered an immediate manhunt to bring to justice those responsible for the shooting of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, calling the attack a grave assault on democracy and political freedom.
In a statement issued Saturday, President Gustavo Petro’s administration condemned the attack in the “strongest terms,” describing it as not only an act of violence against an individual, but an affront to the country’s democratic values.
“This act of violence is an attack not only against the senator’s personal integrity, but also against democracy, freedom of thought, and the legitimate exercise of politics in Colombia,” the government said.
Senator Uribe, a conservative lawmaker and possible presidential candidate in the 2026 elections, was shot and critically wounded during a campaign event in Bogotá’s Fontibón district on Saturday.
Authorities say he was shot from behind by an armed individual while addressing supporters in a public park.
Two others were injured in the attack, and a 15-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene.
Uribe is currently undergoing surgery for head injuries at Santa Fe Foundation Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
The presidency called on investigative agencies to act “immediately and rigorously” to identify the perpetrators, saying political violence in any form is intolerable.
“We reiterate our unrestricted commitment to the protection of all political, social, and citizen leaders who exercise their rights within the framework of the Constitution and the law,” the statement said.
President Petro also called for national unity and urged Colombians across the political spectrum to denounce violence and support democratic institutions.
“Only through dialogue, legality, and respect for life can we move toward a more equitable and peaceful country,” the government said.
The attack has sent shockwaves through Colombia’s political establishment and prompted widespread condemnation across Latin America and beyond.
While Petro’s administration has promised a full investigation, the shooting has also drawn fierce criticism from opposition figures and foreign leaders.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio blamed the president’s “inflammatory rhetoric” for creating a climate that enabled the attack — an accusation the government has not publicly responded to.
Uribe, 39, is a senator from the opposition Democratic Center party, founded by former President Álvaro Uribe.
Though not yet officially declared as a candidate, he has been widely viewed as a top contender for the 2026 presidential race.
The incident has renewed concerns over political violence in Colombia, a country still struggling to turn the page on decades of armed conflict involving guerrilla groups, drug cartels, and paramilitary forces.
