Teen accused in shooting of Colombian presidential candidate pleads not guilty
A 15-year-old boy accused of trying to kill Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, according to a report from AFP that cited the prosecutor's office.The teenager has been charged with the attempted murder of 39-year-old conservative politician Uribe, who was shot twice in the back of the head during a campaign rally held on Saturday in Bogot. He is also charged for illegal possession of a firearm after police recovered a Glock 9mm pistol at the scene.advertisementDoctors treating Uribe at a Bogot hospital stated that he is still in a critical condition. His wife, Mara Claudia Tarazona, said, "No family in Colombia should be going through this," she said.
"There is no name for this — it's not pain, it's not horror, it's not sadness."Security guards quickly arrested the teen suspect after the shooting in El Golfito Park, in the Modelia neighbourhood of Bogot's Fontibn district. The area was heavily crowded with Uribe's supporters present at the site. Authorities stated the suspect may be a 'sicario' -- a hitman hired for money -- though they are still investigating his motives.If found guilty, he could face up to eight years in detention due to his age.POLITICAL TENSIONS RISEColombian officials are looking into multiple leads to understand what led to the attack. President Gustavo Petro has claimed that an international criminal group could be behind the assassination attempt.advertisement"There is a serious concern that this may be more than just a lone act," said one official involved in the investigation. "We're examining all possibilities, including foreign involvement."Uribe, a member of the right-wing Democratic Centre party, was holding a campaign event when he was shot from behind. He has been known for stern criticism of President Petro's approach. At the time of the shooting, Uribe was being protected by two government-assigned bodyguards, but his lawyer Victor Mosquera said those measures were not enough.With inputs from agencies Must Watch
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