Spanish government raps Colombian assassination attempt
MADRID: Spain on Sunday condemned the attempted assassination of a Colombian rightwing opposition senator and candidate in next year's presidential election, saying "violence has no place in our societies."
"Spain conveys its best wishes for a speedy recovery to the victim and all its solidarity to his family and friends, as well as to the Colombian people," the Spanish Foreign Ministry added in a statement.
"The government of Spain strongly condemns the assassination attempt against Colombian senator and presidential pre-candidate Miguel Uribe," the ministry posted on the social media site X.
Colombia's Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said a suspect had been arrested after the shooting and that authorities were investigating whether others were involved.
Sanchez said he had visited the hospital where Uribe was being treated.
The Colombian Attorney General's Office said in a statement that "a minor under 15 years of age was arrested carrying a Glock pistol-type firearm (9mm)," and President Gustavo Petro called for an investigation into who had ordered the attack.
The 39-year-old senator, a member of the opposition conservative Democratic Center party, was shot during a 2026 presidential campaign event in a public park in the Fontibon neighborhood in the capital, according to a party statement condemning the attack.
The party said in a statement that "armed subjects shot him from behind" and described the attack as serious, but did not disclose further details on Uribe's condition.
Videos on social media showed a man, identified as Uribe, being tended to after the shooting.
He appeared to be bleeding from his head.
Uribe's wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, wrote on her husband's account on X that he was "fighting for his life."
People gathered outside the Santa Fe Foundation hospital where Uribe was being treated, some staged candlelight vigils and prayed, while others carried Colombian flags.
The government is offering some $730,000 as a reward for information in the case.
Colombia's presidency issued a statement saying the government "categorically and forcefully" rejected the violent attack, and called for a thorough investigation into the events.
President Petro sympathized with the senator's family in a message on X: "I don't know how to ease your pain. It is the pain of a mother lost and a homeland."
Petro said in a speech on Saturday night: "For now, there is nothing more than a hypothesis."
He said that failures in security protocols would also be looked into.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that the US "condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination" of Uribe, blaming Petro's "inflammatory rhetoric" for the violence.
Uribe, who is not yet an official presidential candidate for his party, is from a prominent family in Colombia.
His father was a businessman and a union leader.
His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped in 1990 by an armed group under the command of the late cartel leader Pablo Escobar.
She was killed during a rescue operation in 1991.
Colombia has for decades been embroiled in a conflict between leftist rebels, criminal groups descended from right-wing paramilitaries, and the government.
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6 hours ago
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Spanish government raps Colombian assassination attempt
MADRID: Spain on Sunday condemned the attempted assassination of a Colombian rightwing opposition senator and candidate in next year's presidential election, saying "violence has no place in our societies." "Spain conveys its best wishes for a speedy recovery to the victim and all its solidarity to his family and friends, as well as to the Colombian people," the Spanish Foreign Ministry added in a statement. "The government of Spain strongly condemns the assassination attempt against Colombian senator and presidential pre-candidate Miguel Uribe," the ministry posted on the social media site X. Colombia's Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said a suspect had been arrested after the shooting and that authorities were investigating whether others were involved. Sanchez said he had visited the hospital where Uribe was being treated. The Colombian Attorney General's Office said in a statement that "a minor under 15 years of age was arrested carrying a Glock pistol-type firearm (9mm)," and President Gustavo Petro called for an investigation into who had ordered the attack. The 39-year-old senator, a member of the opposition conservative Democratic Center party, was shot during a 2026 presidential campaign event in a public park in the Fontibon neighborhood in the capital, according to a party statement condemning the attack. The party said in a statement that "armed subjects shot him from behind" and described the attack as serious, but did not disclose further details on Uribe's condition. Videos on social media showed a man, identified as Uribe, being tended to after the shooting. He appeared to be bleeding from his head. Uribe's wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, wrote on her husband's account on X that he was "fighting for his life." People gathered outside the Santa Fe Foundation hospital where Uribe was being treated, some staged candlelight vigils and prayed, while others carried Colombian flags. The government is offering some $730,000 as a reward for information in the case. Colombia's presidency issued a statement saying the government "categorically and forcefully" rejected the violent attack, and called for a thorough investigation into the events. President Petro sympathized with the senator's family in a message on X: "I don't know how to ease your pain. It is the pain of a mother lost and a homeland." Petro said in a speech on Saturday night: "For now, there is nothing more than a hypothesis." He said that failures in security protocols would also be looked into. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that the US "condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination" of Uribe, blaming Petro's "inflammatory rhetoric" for the violence. Uribe, who is not yet an official presidential candidate for his party, is from a prominent family in Colombia. His father was a businessman and a union leader. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped in 1990 by an armed group under the command of the late cartel leader Pablo Escobar. She was killed during a rescue operation in 1991. Colombia has for decades been embroiled in a conflict between leftist rebels, criminal groups descended from right-wing paramilitaries, and the government.
Arab News
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Who is Colombian Sen. Miguel Uribe Turbay who was shot during a campaign rally in Bogota?
Conservative Colombian Sen. Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot and seriously injured during a campaign rally in the capital, Bogota. The brazen attack captured on video shook a nation that decades ago regularly saw kidnappings and killings of politicians and high profile people. Uribe Turbay, 39, who has announced he intends to run for president next year, was in serious condition following surgery Sunday, a day after the shooting, and doctors said he was going through 'critical hours.' Here's what to know about the conservative politician: Presidential contender A member of the right-wing Democratic Center party, Uribe Turbay has become a prominent opposition voice against the government of President Gustavo Petro, the first leftist politician to become the leader of Colombia. Petro cannot seek reelection in 2026. Uribe Turbay, whose family had also suffered political violence, launched his presidential bid in March. In October last year, he had posted a video on social media announcing his intention to run, choosing the mountains of Copacabana in the department of Antioquia as a backdrop. The country will hold a presidential election on May 31, 2026. 'A place with deep meaning for me,' he said in the video. 'It was here that my mother was kidnapped by Pablo Escobar and was killed when I was about to turn five.' His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was abducted by the Medellin Cartel and killed in 1991, one of Colombia's most violent periods. The attack on Uribe Turbay on Saturday shocked the nation and revived memories of an era when political violence affected Colombian public life. Prominent political family Uribe Turbay entered politics early, being elected to Bogota's City Council at age 25 in 2012. In 2016, he was appointed the city's secretary of government by then-Mayor Enrique Peñalosa. In 2022, he became senator after being invited to run by former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez, no relation. Uribe Turbay was born into a prominent political family. He is the grandson of former President Julio César Turbay Ayala, who served from 1978 to 1982, and the paternal grandson of Rodrigo Uribe Echavarría, a former director of the Liberal Party. He was not considered a front-runner in next year's race, according to recent polls, and was still facing competition within his political coalition. In his pre-campaign messaging, Uribe Turbay focused heavily on security, seeking to inspire investments and promote economic stability. 'Reserved prognosis' The senator is going through what authorities have described as 'critical hours' after undergoing surgery at a private clinic in Bogotá. 'He survived the procedure; these are critical moments and hours for his survival,' said Bogotá Mayor Carlos Galán early Sunday after receiving information from the medical staff at the Fundación Santa Fe clinic. 'His condition is extremely serious and the prognosis is reserved,' the clinic added hours later in a new medical report. Police arrested a 15-year-old boy for the shooting, whom they considered the perpetrator. Authorities have not disclosed a motive. Colombia's Ombudsman's Office condemned the attack, saying the country 'cannot allow a return to dark times when violence sought to silence ideas, candidacies or political leadership.'
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Surgery on Colombian Senator Went Well after Shooting, Wife Says
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