BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombian Sen. Miguel Uribe Turbay, a attainable candidate within the nation’s presidential election subsequent yr, was shot and wounded at a marketing campaign rally in Bogota on Saturday, authorities stated.
His conservative Democratic Heart get together launched an announcement calling it “an unacceptable act of violence.”
The assault passed off in a park within the Fontibon neighborhood when armed assailants shot him from behind, stated the right-wing get together, which was based by former President Alvaro Uribe. The boys are usually not associated.
Photos circulating on social media confirmed Uribe Turbay lined in blood, apparently with a head wound, being held by a number of individuals. To date, no official report has been launched on the senator’s situation.
A suspected shooter has been captured, Bogotá Mayor Carlos Galán stated on the social platform X. However the federal authorities stated it was providing a reward for the seize of these accountable.
“Respect life, that’s the purple line,” Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated in a message posted on his X account. Shortly after making the submit, Petro canceled a deliberate journey to France “as a result of seriousness of the occasions,” in line with a presidential assertion.
Uribe Turbay is a senator and the son of a journalist who was kidnapped and killed in 1991 throughout one of many nation’s most violent intervals.
Colombia will maintain a presidential election on Could 31, 2026, the top of the present time period of Petro, the primary leftist to come back to energy in Colombia. Uribe Turbay introduced his presidential bid in March.
Colombian police chief Gen. Carlos Triana stated that on the time of the assault Uribe Turbay was accompanied by Councilman Andrés Barrios and 20 different individuals. A minor who allegedly participated within the assault was apprehended on the scene and is being handled for a leg harm, he stated. A firearm was additionally seized.
“I’ve ordered the Colombian army and police forces and intelligence companies to deploy all their capabilities to urgently make clear the information,” stated Protection Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Former President Uribe stated “they attacked the hope of the nation, an awesome husband, father, son, brother, an awesome colleague.”