On June 7, 2025, Colombian senator and pre‑presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay was critically wounded during a campaign rally in Bogotá’s Fontibón (El Golfito Park), reigniting fears of political violence ahead of the May 2026 election. The right‑wing Democratic Centre party member was speaking to supporters when assailants opened fire, striking him from behind with gunshots reportedly hitting his head and knee. Eyewitnesses reported a chaotic scene: after Uribe was shot, a brief gunfight ensued involving his security team and the shooter. He collapsed, bleeding on a car’s hood, before bystanders aided him and transported him to a nearby clinic. He was then airlifted to Bogotá’s Santa Fe Foundation hospital and underwent neurosurgical and vascular operations.

Uribe’s condition is currently critical, though his wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, stated he “overcame the first surgical intervention” and is “fighting for his life”. Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán—son of 1989 presidential victim Luis Carlos Galán—urged heightened protection for all public figures, affirming Uribe is in “the critical hours” of recovery. A 15‑year‑old suspect, arrested at the scene with a Glock-type 9mm pistol, remains in custody as authorities explore whether accomplices were involved. The government has offered a reward of approximately COP 3 billion (USD ~730,000) for information leading to others involved.

Reactions to the attack spanned Colombia’s political spectrum. President Gustavo Petro condemned the violence, describing it as “an attack not only on [Uribe] but on democracy, freedom of thought and the legitimate exercise of politics in Colombia”. He canceled a scheduled trip to France to focus on the investigation. International condemnation also poured in. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the incident as “a direct threat to democracy” and pointed to the “violent leftist rhetoric” from Colombian leadership as a contributing factor. Other nations, including Brazil, Spain, Italy, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Venezuela, also denounced the attack.

Many Colombians were reminded of a dark era in the nation’s history: the 1989 assassination of presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán. The incident appears to echo that tragedy, stirring fears of a resurgence in politically motivated violence. Security forces, including the Defense Ministry and police, have opened urgent investigations to determine perpetrators and motives. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez has mobilized intelligence and security agencies, emphasizing the need to protect democratic institutions. As Uribe’s recovery continues and more details emerge, Colombians—and the international community—watch closely. The nation must confront the implications of this attack at a pivotal moment in its democratic journey, with intense scrutiny on political safety and the integrity of the upcoming election.