BOGOTÁ — Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a prominent figure in the conservative Democratic Center party and a frontrunner in the 2026 presidential race, was critically injured in a public shooting at a campaign event on Saturday evening. Authorities report the attack occurred around 5 p.m. in Bogotá’s Fontibón (Modelia) neighborhood, and identified a 15-year-old suspect who was detained on the scene.
Security officials report that Uribe Turbay was shot twice—once in the head and once in the thigh—while addressing a crowd in El Golfito Park. Emergency surgery was performed at Fundación Santa Fe hospital, where he remains in intensive care. According to police and hospital sources, the senator “survived initial procedures” but continues to be in a critical state.
The detained minor, found with a 9mm Glock-type firearm, sustained a gunshot injury to his leg. Colombian authorities say they are investigating whether other individuals were involved. In response, President Gustavo Petro suspended a scheduled trip to France and ordered the country’s defense and intelligence agencies to expedite the investigation. A reward equivalent to approximately $730,000 USD has been offered for information related to the case.
The attack sparked swift condemnation across Colombia’s political spectrum. President Petro characterized the incident as an assault on democracy while former President Álvaro Uribe and other national leaders expressed outrage. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also condemned the shooting, describing it as a direct threat to democratic institutions. Regional leaders, including the presidents of Chile and Ecuador, expressed solidarity with the senator.
Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, has been a serving senator since 2022 and announced his presidential pre-candidacy in March. He is the grandson of former President Julio César Turbay Ayala and the son of journalist Diana Turbay, who was killed by cartel-associated kidnappers in 1991. The attempt on his life has reopened collective memory of Colombia’s fraught political violence, marked by the 1989 assassination of presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán.
Authorities have launched an urgent security review focused both on Uribe’s protection detail and broader electoral safety measures. As the investigation continues, witnesses and campaign attendees have been asked to come forward with any information.
The incident has heightened concerns over the safety of Colombia’s political class ahead of the May 2026 presidential election.
