Colombian Presidential Candidate Shot in Bogotá
A Colombian right-wing opposition senator and candidate in next year's presidential election has been shot and wounded in Bogotá, according to several reports.
Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, a leader of the Democratic Centre party, was attending a campaign rally in the nation's capital when he was shot at around 5 p.m. local time.
'Today, in an unacceptable act of violence, Senator and presidential pre-candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay was the victim of an attack in a park,' the Democratic Centre party said in a statement. 'Armed individuals shot him in the back while he was participating in a campaign event.'
'We strongly condemn this attack, which not only endangers the life of a political leader but also threatens democracy and freedom in Colombia. We express our solidarity with his wife Claudia, his son, his family, and his work team.'
Turbay was shot at El Golfito Park in Bogotá's Modelia neighborhood. Following the shooting, a gunfight reportedly broke out between the senator's bodyguards and the shooter, with at least one other person reportedly injured. Turbay was rushed to the hospital, though there was no immediate confirmation on his condition.
Video footage posted on social media of the event shows the senator being supported by two men who are attempting to stem the bleeding as the audience at the event calls for an ambulance.
Carlos Galán, the mayor of Bogotá, told reporters that Uribe is receiving emergency care and is thought to be in a critical condition. The 'entire hospital network' in Bogotá is on alert, Galán added, in case Uribe needs to be transferred.
The suspected attacker, a 15-year-old, has been arrested.
'Democracy and peace in Colombia must prevail. We hope that justice is served and that the safety of all political and civilian leaders is guaranteed,' the Democratic Centre party statement concludes.
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