Teen Arrested in Shocking Attack on Presidential Hopeful
Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe, a rising opposition figure and potential presidential candidate, is in critical condition after being shot at a campaign event in Bogotá. Authorities say the alleged shooter is a 15-year-old boy, who was arrested carrying a Glock pistol.
The Attack
Uribe, 39, was giving a speech in the Fontibón district on Saturday when multiple shots rang out. He was shot twice in the back and rushed to the hospital. The incident was captured on video as panic spread among attendees.
Presidential Response
President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack, promising to hunt down not just the shooter but also the masterminds behind the assault. “We will not spare a single peso or moment of energy,” he declared, hinting at the involvement of criminal networks possibly operating from abroad.
Political and Public Reactions
Governor and party members condemned the shooting as an attack on democracy. Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia, urged the public to pray for her husband’s recovery. The U.S. also condemned the violence, calling it a threat to democracy. Former Colombian presidents and regional leaders joined in the condemnation.
Uribe’s Legacy and Background
Uribe hails from a historic political family. His mother, Diana Turbay, was kidnapped and killed by drug lords during a rescue mission in 1991. He entered national politics in 2022 and has been vocal about security and economic reform.