Conservative Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot multiple times in the head and knee by a 15-year-old gunman at a campaign rally, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio directly blaming “violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government.”
Key Takeaways
- Miguel Uribe Turbay, a 39-year-old conservative senator and presidential candidate, was critically wounded after being shot twice in the head and once in the knee during a campaign speech in Bogotá.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack as “a direct threat to democracy” resulting from “violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government.”
- A 15-year-old suspect armed with a “9mm Glock-type firearm” was arrested at the scene, with Colombia’s Ministry of Defense offering a $750,000 reward for information.
- Uribe Turbay, a right-wing critic of leftist President Gustavo Petro, survived his initial surgery but remains in intensive care fighting for his life.
- The assassination attempt marks the first high-profile attack on a Colombian politician in decades, raising fears of a return to the country’s violent political past.
Leftist Rhetoric Blamed for Shocking Assassination Attempt
The shocking assassination attempt against Colombian conservative presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay has sent waves of concern throughout Latin America and the United States. Uribe Turbay, a 39-year-old senator from the conservative Centro Democrático party, was critically injured after being shot twice in the head and once in the knee during a campaign speech in Bogotá’s Fontibón neighborhood. The attack occurred on Saturday when a 15-year-old gunman opened fire before being quickly apprehended by authorities. Graphic footage of the horrific incident has spread across social media, showing the chaotic moments when the conservative politician was gunned down mid-speech.
“The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe. This is a direct threat to democracy and the result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government,” said Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State.
🇨🇴 SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER COLOMBIAN CANDIDATE SHOT AT RALLY
A conservative senator running for president in Colombia just got shot in the head during a campaign event in a public park.
The shooter’s been caught, but police think more people might’ve helped.
Meanwhile, the… https://t.co/PIzF5Z41bJ pic.twitter.com/vcqG7pF7Zy
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 8, 2025
A Family’s Tragedy Repeats Colombia’s Violent Political History
The attempted assassination of Uribe Turbay carries a painful historical resonance, especially for his family. The conservative politician comes from a prominent political lineage – his grandfather was a former president, and his mother was killed by Pablo Escobar’s Medellin cartel. This latest attack eerily mirrors Colombia’s dark history of political violence, drawing comparisons to the 1989 assassination of presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán. The shooting has triggered nationwide protests and intensified political polarization in Colombia, where the presidential election is scheduled for May of next year.
“At this moment, Miguel is fighting for his life. We ask God to guide the hands of the doctors treating him,” said Maria Claudia Tarazona, Uribe’s wife.
The teen suspect was found with a “9mm Glock-type firearm” and taken into custody shortly after fleeing the scene. Colombia’s Ministry of Defense has offered a nearly $750,000 reward for information on the assassination attempt, while Uribe Turbay was rushed to the Fundación Santa Fe clinic. According to Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan, the conservative candidate has “overcome the first surgical procedure,” though he remains in intensive care in critical condition.
U.S. Officials Demand End to Dangerous Leftist Rhetoric
Secretary of State Rubio has called on Colombian President Gustavo Petro to take immediate action to reduce inflammatory rhetoric that could incite further violence. “Having seen firsthand Colombia’s progress over the past few decades to consolidate security and democracy, it can’t afford to go back to dark days of political violence. President Petro needs to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials,” Rubio stated. Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno also condemned the attack, calling it a “vile attack on democracy” and demanding “swift punishment” for anyone responsible.
“Evidently this [attack] shows an erosion of Colombia’s security and political climate in the short term,” said Sergio Guzmán, political analyst.
President Petro has publicly condemned the shooting, canceled a planned trip to France, and ordered a full investigation. However, many opposition figures are directing blame at Petro’s administration for creating a climate of hostility toward conservative politicians. Uribe Turbay, who announced his presidential run in October, has been a vocal critic of Petro’s leftist policies. The attack has prompted renewed calls for increased protection for all presidential candidates and highlighted the fragile state of Colombia’s democracy as political tensions continue to escalate ahead of next year’s election.
