Prominent Colombian presidential candidate, 39-year-old right-wing Senator Miguel Uribe, was in “grave” condition and “fighting for his life” in hospital Sunday after being shot twice in the head at a Bogota campaign rally.
Doctors warned his life remained in serious peril despite successful initial surgery for injuries from Saturday’s attack.
This shooting has profoundly shocked Colombia, a nation that believed its decades of political and narco violence were largely in the past.
Hundreds gathered in major cities on Sunday to light candles, pray, and express anger.
Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, thanked Colombians for their support, confirming her husband was “fighting hard for his life” after also being shot once in the leg.
Though a security guard captured the alleged teen gunman, the motive remains unknown.
Uribe was a fierce critic of Colombia’s leftist government, guerrilla groups, and drug cartels.
The government has vowed to use all resources to uncover the motive and identify those behind the attack.
Police reported no specific threats against Uribe, though he had personal protection.
His family history, including his journalist mother Diana Turbay’s death after being kidnapped by Pablo Escobar, makes the attack particularly poignant.
Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a team of about 100 investigators are working on the motive, offering a reward for information.
Police director Carlos Fernando Triana stated the suspect is believed to be about 15 years old and was injured, adding that two others were wounded and a Glock-style firearm was seized.
Politicians across the spectrum condemned the attack, with leftist President Gustavo Petro calling it an “attack not only against his person, but also against democracy.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also condemned the shooting as “a direct threat to democracy” but assigned blame to Petro, claiming it was the “result of the violent leftist rhetoric.”
Rubio urged President Petro to “dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials.”
