Colombian Presidential Candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay in Critical Condition After Assassination Attempt

Presidential hopeful and conservative senator Miguel Uribe Turbay remains in a critically serious condition after being shot in the head during a campaign event on June 7. Doctors at Santa Fe Hospital in Bogotá confirmed that emergency surgery was performed on Monday to stop life-threatening bleeding inside his brain.

Uribe, 39, was attacked while addressing supporters in a middle-class neighborhood of the capital. The shocking daytime assassination attempt has plunged the nation into fear and reflection, sparking widespread protests and calls for justice.

Crucial Hours Following Surgery

His wife, María Claudia Tarazona, spoke emotionally outside the hospital, saying, “Miguel keeps fighting for his life like never before.” She asked Colombians to keep her husband in their prayers, saying that the love and hope of the people are helping sustain him through the battle for his life.

Doctors have described the next few hours and days as “critical,” with no guarantees of recovery yet.

Teen Suspect Arrested, Motive Unclear

Authorities arrested a 15-year-old male suspect who was caught fleeing the scene. He has been charged with attempted murder but pleaded not guilty. Police also detained two alleged accomplices — a man suspected of supplying the weapon and a woman believed to have helped coordinate the attack.

The motive remains unknown, but investigators are exploring whether a larger network may have ordered the hit. The broad-daylight shooting has stirred memories of Colombia’s dark history of political assassinations, particularly during the drug-fueled violence of the 1980s and 1990s.

Legacy of Violence and Political Resolve

Uribe’s political path has been shaped by personal tragedy. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped in 1990 by the infamous group Los Extraditables, known for violently opposing extradition to the U.S. She died during a failed rescue operation after five months in captivity.

Uribe has often cited her as his inspiration for entering politics. His attempted assassination has reignited fears of returning to an era when political leaders were frequent targets of violence and intimidation.

Nation Reacts: Protests and Prayers

The June 7 attack has sparked outrage across Colombia. On Sunday, thousands held silent protests in cities nationwide, demanding protection for political candidates and accountability for those behind the shooting.

Uribe was seen as a rising figure within the conservative movement and a strong contender for his party’s 2026 presidential nomination. His critical condition now casts uncertainty over the political landscape just as the country gears up for a high-stakes election cycle.

As Colombia waits anxiously for updates, the call for peace and justice grows louder — echoing through a country still haunted by its violent past.