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RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Colombian presidential candidate's condition 'grave' after assassination attempt
By Alba Santana , AFP Miguel Uribe. Photo: AFP/SEBASTIAN BARROS A prominent Colombian presidential candidate was in "grave" condition and "fighting for his life" in hospital Sunday, after an alleged teen gunman shot him twice in the head at a Bogota campaign rally. Thirty-nine-year-old right-wing Senator Miguel Uribe underwent successful initial surgery to contain injuries from Saturday's attack, but doctors warned his life was still in serious peril. He remains in "the most grave condition and the prognosis is reserved" said medics at the capital's Santa Fe Clinic. Uribe's shooting has utterly shocked a nation that had believed decades of bloody political and narco violence were largely in the past. Hundreds took to the streets in major cities on Sunday to light candles, pray and voice their anger at the attack. "Our hearts are broken, Colombia hurts," Carolina Gomez, a 41-year-old businesswoman, told AFP as she lit candles and prayed outside the hospital where Uribe was being treated. The crowd joined together in cries of "strength to you Miguel" and "the people are with you." Uribe's wife Maria Claudia Tarazona thanked Colombians for their support and asked that they collectively pray for his survival. "He is fighting hard for his life," she said. The senator received two gunshot wounds to the head and was also shot once in the leg. Although a security guard at the scene captured the alleged gunman, the motive for the shooting is still not publicly known. Uribe had been a fierce critic of Colombia's leftist government, of guerrilla groups that still control chunks of the country and of ultra-powerful drug cartels. The government has vowed to use every police, military and intelligence resource to uncover the motive and find those who hired the alleged would-be assassin. Police said there had been no specific threats against Uribe's life, but like other public figures he had close personal protection. The young Senator's family history traces the tragedies of modern Colombia, making the attack all the more poignant for many. He is the grandson of a former president Julio Cesar Turbay whose 1978-1982 term was marked by guerrilla insurgencies and the emergence of the Medellin and Cali drug cartels. Pablo Escobar. Photo: supplied But Uribe is best known as the son of Diana Turbay, a famed Colombian journalist who was killed after being kidnapped by Pablo Escobar and whose death rocked the nation. A team of about 100 investigators are now working to determine the motive for the attack, Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said Sunday. Earlier he had offered a roughly US$725,000 (NZ$1.2m) reward for information about who was behind the shooting. The suspect, believed to be about 15 years old, was injured in the affray and was receiving treatment, said police director Carlos Fernando Triana. Two others - a man and a woman - were also wounded, and a Glock-style firearm was seized. The attack has been condemned by politicians across the political spectrum. Leftist President Gustavo Petro condemned the violence as "an attack not only against his person, but also against democracy, freedom of thought, and the legitimate exercise of politics in Colombia". The shooting was similarly condemned from overseas, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it "a direct threat to democracy". But Rubio also pointed blame at Petro, claiming the attack was the "result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government". "President Petro needs to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials," the top US diplomat said. - AFP
CNA
a day ago
- Politics
- CNA
Colombian presidential candidate's condition 'grave' after assassination attempt
BOGOTÁ, Colombia: A prominent Colombian presidential candidate was in "grave" condition and "fighting for his life" in hospital Sunday (Jun 8), after an alleged teen gunman shot him twice in the head at a Bogotá campaign rally. Thirty nine year old right-wing Senator Miguel Uribe underwent successful initial surgery to contain injuries from Saturday's attack, but doctors warned his life was still in serious peril. He remains in "the most grave condition and the prognosis is reserved" said medics at the capital's Santa Fe Clinic. Uribe's shooting has utterly shocked a nation that had believed decades of bloody political and narco violence were largely in the past. Hundreds took to the streets in major cities on Sunday to light candles, pray and voice their anger at the attack. "Our hearts are broken, Colombia hurts," Carolina Gomez, a 41 year old businesswoman, told AFP as she lit candles and prayed outside the hospital where Uribe was being treated. The crowd joined together in cries of "strength to you Miguel" and "the people are with you." Uribe's wife Maria Claudia Tarazona thanked Colombians for their support and asked that they collectively pray for his survival. "He is fighting hard for his life," she said. The senator received two gunshot wounds to the head and was also shot once in the leg. Although a security guard at the scene captured the alleged gunman, the motive for the shooting is still not publicly known. Uribe had been a fierce critic of Colombia's leftist government, of guerrilla groups that still control chunks of the country and of ultra-powerful drug cartels. The government has vowed to use every police, military and intelligence resource to uncover the motive and find those who hired the alleged would-be assassin. Police said there had been no specific threats against Uribe's life, but like other public figures he had close personal protection. The young Senator's family history traces the tragedies of modern Colombia, making the attack all the more poignant for many. He is the grandson of a former president Julio Cesar Turbay whose 1978-1982 term was marked by guerrilla insurgencies and the emergence of the Medellin and Cali drug cartels. But Uribe is best known as the son of Diana Turbay, a famed Colombian journalist who was killed after being kidnapped by Pablo Escobar and whose death rocked the nation. 'Day of pain' A team of about 100 investigators are now working to determine the motive for the attack, Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said Sunday. Earlier he had offered a roughly US$725,000 reward for information about who was behind the shooting. The suspect is believed to be about 15 years old was injured in the affray and was receiving treatment, said police director Carlos Fernando Triana. Two others, a man and a woman, were also wounded, and a Glock-style firearm was seized. The attack has been condemned by politicians across the political spectrum. Leftist President Gustavo Petro condemned the violence as "an attack not only against his person, but also against democracy, freedom of thought, and the legitimate exercise of politics in Colombia." The shooting was similarly condemned from overseas, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it "a direct threat to democracy."
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Colombian presidential contender in critical condition after shooting
The senator was shot while speaking to supporters during a campaign event in Bogota. (AP pic) BOGOTA : A prominent Colombian right-wing presidential candidate is in critical condition after being shot three times during a campaign event in Bogota today, authorities said. Thirty-nine-year-old Senator Miguel Uribe was speaking to supporters in the capital when a gunman shot him twice in the head and once in the knee before being detained. Images from the scene showed Uribe slumped against the hood of a white car, smeared with blood, as a group of men tried to hold him and stop the bleeding. A security guard managed to detain the suspected attacker, a minor who is believed to be 15 years old. Uribe was airlifted to the hospital in 'critical condition', where he is undergoing a 'neurosurgical' and 'peripheral vascular procedure', the Santa Fe Clinic in Bogota confirmed. Uribe's wife posted on his X account that 'he is fighting for his life at this moment'. Police director Carlos Fernando Triana said the suspect was injured in the affray and was receiving treatment. Two others – a man and a woman – were also wounded, and a Glock-style firearm was seized. 'Our hearts are broken, Colombia hurts,' Carolina Gomez, a 41-year-old businesswoman, told AFP as she prayed with candles for Uribe's health. 'Day of pain' The motive for the attack is not yet publicly known. Colombia's defence minister Pedro Sanchez vowed to use law enforcement's full capabilities and offered a roughly US$725,000 reward for information about who was behind the shooting. In a video address to the nation posted on social media, president Gustavo Petro also promised investigations to find the perpetrators of the 'day of pain'. 'What matters most today is that all Colombians focus with the energy of our hearts, with our will to live… on ensuring that Dr Miguel Uribe stays alive.' In an earlier statement, Petro condemned the violence as 'an attack not only against his person, but also against democracy, freedom of thought, and the legitimate exercise of politics in Colombia'. The shooting was similarly condemned across the political spectrum and from overseas, with US secretary of state Marco Rubio calling it 'a direct threat to democracy'. But Rubio also pointed blame at Petro, claiming the attack was the 'result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government'. 'President Petro needs to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials,' the top US diplomat said. Uribe, a strong critic of Petro, is a member of the Democratic Center party, which announced last October his intention to run in the 2026 presidential election. Authorities said that there was no specific threat made against the politician before the incident. Like many public figures in Colombia, Uribe had close personal protection. The country is home to several armed guerrilla groups, powerful cartels and has a long history of political violence. Shot 'from behind' Uribe is the son of Diana Turbay, a famed Colombian journalist who was killed after being kidnapped by Pablo Escobar's Medellin Cartel. One of his grandfathers was former Colombia president Julio Cesar Turbay, who led the country from 1978 to 1982. Supporters gathered outside the facility, lighting candles and clutching crucifixes as they prayed for his recovery. Uribe's party said in a statement today that an 'armed individual' had shot the senator from behind. The party leader, former president Alvaro Uribe, described the shooting as an attack against 'a hope for the country'. Miguel Uribe – who is not related to Alvaro – has been a senator since 2022. He previously served as Bogota's government secretary and city councillor. He also ran for city mayor in 2019, but lost that election.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Colombian presidential contender shot thrice; 15-year-old suspected attacker detained
Colombian right-wing presidential candidate, Miguel Uribe, is in critical condition after being shot three times during a campaign event in Bogota on Saturday, authorities said. The 39-year-old senator was speaking to supporters in the capital when a gunman shot him twice in the head and once in the knee before being detained. Images from the scene showed Uribe slumped against the hood of a white car, smeared with blood, as a group of men tried to hold him and stop the bleeding. A security guard managed to detain the suspected attacker, a minor who is believed to be 15 years old. Uribe was airlifted to the hospital in "critical condition" where he is undergoing a "neurosurgical" and "peripheral vascular procedure," the Santa Fe Clinic in Bogota confirmed. Uribe's wife posted on his X account that "he is fighting for his life at this moment." Police director Carlos Fernando Triana said the suspect was injured in the affray and was receiving treatment. Two others -- a man and a woman -- were also wounded, and a Glock-style firearm was seized. "Our hearts are broken, Colombia hurts," Carolina Gomez, a 41-year-old businesswoman, told AFP as she prayed with candles for Uribe's health. 'Day of pain' The motive for the attack is not yet publicly known. Colombia's defence minister Pedro Sanchez vowed to use law enforcement's full capabilities and offered a roughly US$725,000 reward for information about who was behind the shooting. In a video address to the nation posted on social media, President Gustavo Petro also promised investigations to find the perpetrators of the "day of pain". "What matters most today is that all Colombians focus with the energy of our hearts, with our will to live ... on ensuring that Dr Miguel Uribe stays alive." In an earlier statement, Petro condemned the violence as "an attack not only against his person, but also against democracy, freedom of thought, and the legitimate exercise of politics in Colombia." The shooting was similarly condemned across the political spectrum and from overseas, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it "a direct threat to democracy." But Rubio also pointed blame at Petro, claiming the attack was the "result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government." "President Petro needs to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials," the top US diplomat said. Uribe, a strong critic of Petro, is a member of the Democratic Center party, which announced last October his intention to run in the 2026 presidential election. Authorities said that there was no specific threat made against the politician before the incident. Like many public figures in Colombia, Uribe had close personal protection. The country is home to several armed guerrilla groups, powerful cartels and has a long history of political violence. Shot 'from behind' Uribe is the son of Diana Turbay, a famed Colombian journalist who was killed after being kidnapped by Pablo Escobar's Medellin Cartel. One of his grandfathers was former Colombia president Julio Cesar Turbay, who led the country from 1978 to 1982. Supporters gathered outside the facility, lighting candles and clutching crucifixes as they prayed for his recovery. Uribe's party said in a statement Saturday that an "armed individual" had shot the senator from behind. The party leader, former president Alvaro Uribe, described the shooting as an attack against "a hope for the country." Miguel Uribe -- who is not related to Alvaro -- has been a senator since 2022. He previously served as Bogota's government secretary and city councilor. He also ran for city mayor in 2019, but lost that election.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Colombian presidential candidate shot and wounded
BOGOTA: A prominent Colombian right-wing presidential candidate is in critical condition after being shot three times during a campaign event in Bogota on Saturday, authorities Senator Miguel Uribe was speaking to supporters in the capital when a gunman shot him twice in the head and once in the knee before being from the scene showed Uribe slumped against the hood of a white car, smeared with blood, as a group of men tried to hold him and stop the bleeding.A security guard managed to detain the suspected attacker, a minor who is believed to be 15 years was airlifted to the hospital in 'critical condition' where he is undergoing a 'neurosurgical' and 'peripheral vascular procedure,' the Santa Fe Clinic in Bogota wife posted on his X account that 'he is fighting for his life at this moment.'Police director Carlos Fernando Triana said the suspect was injured in the affray and was receiving others – a man and a woman – were also wounded, and a Glock-style firearm was seized.'Our hearts are broken, Colombia hurts,' Carolina Gomez, a 41-year-old businesswoman, said as she prayed with candles for Uribe's motive for the attack is not yet publicly known, and Colombia's minister of defense vowed that the military, police and intelligence services would deploy 'all their capabilities' to find out what minister, Pedro Sanchez, also announced a roughly $725,000 reward for information about who was behind the attack was condemned across the political spectrum and from overseas, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it 'a direct threat to democracy.'Rubio pointed blame at Colombia's leftist president Gustavo Petro, claiming the attack was the 'result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government.''President Petro needs to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials,' the top US diplomat 'categorically and forcefully' condemned the attack.'This act of violence is an attack not only against his person, but also against democracy, freedom of thought, and the legitimate exercise of politics in Colombia,' the presidency said in the was due to address the nation late on Saturday a strong critic of Petro, is a member of the Democratic Center party, which announced last October his intention to run in the 2026 presidential said that there was no specific threat made against the politician before the incident. Like many public figures in Colombia, Uribe had close personal country is home to several armed guerrilla groups, powerful cartels and has a long history of political is the son of Diana Turbay, a famed Colombian journalist who was killed after being kidnapped by Pablo Escobar's Medellin of his grandfathers was former Colombia president Julio Cesar Turbay, who led the country from 1978 to gathered outside the facility, lighting candles and clutching crucifixes as they prayed for his party said in a statement Saturday that an 'armed individual' had shot the senator from party leader, former president Alvaro Uribe, described the shooting as an attack against 'a hope for the country.'Miguel Uribe – who is not related to Alvaro – has been a senator since 2022. He previously served as Bogota's government secretary and city also ran for city mayor in 2019, but lost that election.
