Latest news with #DemocraticCentre
LeMonde
8 hours ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
Political tensions erupt in Colombia after assassination attempt on opposition leader
Hundreds of demonstrators wearing white shirts and waving white flags marched throughout Colombia on Sunday, June 8, to denounce violence and show solidarity with right-wing lawmaker and potential 2026 presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, who was attacked on Saturday in the Colombian capital. At dusk, dozens of supporters continued to pray for his speedy recovery outside the Santa Fe Clinic in northern Bogotá. "Out with Petro!" some protesters occasionally chanted. The right accused left-wing President Gustavo Petro of inciting hatred in the country and leading Colombia to disaster, arguing he was indirectly responsible for the attack. Turbay remained in intensive care on Sunday evening after undergoing an initial surgery. His condition was still described as "very critical," according to a statement from the clinic's medical team. "Miguel is still fighting hard for his life, and I ask each of you to continue to pray fervently," said his wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona. The assassination attempt comes one year before the May 2026 presidential election, which has already gripped attention and heightened tensions among political leaders. Turbay is seeking the nomination of his party, the far-right Democratic Centre (CD), founded by former President Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010). The two men are not related.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Miguel Uribe shooting: Surgery on Colombian senator ‘went well', wife reveals
Boy aged under 15 held by police after presidential candidate was targeted in attack in Bogota Julia Symmes Cobb and Lucinda Elliott ©Reuters Colombian senator Miguel Uribe, a potential presidential contender, survived an initial operation for his injuries after being shot in Bogota on Saturday, according to his wife and the hospital treating him, although he remains in intensive care. Mr Uribe (39) is a member of the opposition right-wing Democratic Centre party and was shot in the head during a campaign event in a public park in the Fontibon neighbourhood.
MTV Lebanon
2 days ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Watch: Presidential Candidate Shot While With Supporters
Senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is in critical condition after the attack, which is being investigated by the authorities. Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a possible candidate in next year's presidential elections, was shot and wounded at a campaign rally in Bogotá on Saturday, officials say. His party, the conservative Democratic Centre, issued a statement calling the incident "an unacceptable act of violence". The attack occurred in a park in the Fontibon neighbourhood when armed assailants shot him in the back, said the Democratic Centre party, the party of former president Alvaro Uribe (not related). Images circulating on social media show Uribe Turbay, 39, covered in blood and held by several people. A medical statement from the Fundación Santa Fe hospital said the senator was admitted in critical condition and is undergoing a "neurosurgical and peripheral vascular procedure". "Miguel is fighting for his life," his wife, María Claudia Tarazona, wrote on the senator's X account, asking Colombians to pray for him. The Attorney General's Office, which is investigating the attack, said the senator was shot twice in the attack, which also left two other people injured. According to the entity's statement, a 15-year-old teenager was arrested at the scene with a firearm. The Colombian government announced that it is offering a reward for the capture of all those responsible. "Respect life, that is the red line," wrote President Gustavo Petro in a message on his X account. Shortly after that post, Petro cancelled a planned trip to France "due to the seriousness of the events", according to a presidential statement. Late Saturday night, after leading an extraordinary session of the Security Council, the first leftist president in Colombia's history promised "total transparency" in the investigation and to get to the intellectual authors of the attack. He also announced an investigation into possible lapses in the senator's security detail. Son of a journalist who was kidnapped and murdered Uribe Turbay is the son of a journalist who was kidnapped and murdered in 1991 during one of the country' s most violent periods. Colombia will hold presidential elections on 31 May 2026, at the end of Petro's term. The senator announced his presidential candidacy in March. The director of the National Police, General Carlos Triana, said that at the time of the attack, Uribe Turbay was accompanied by councillor Andrés Barrios and 20 other people. A minor who allegedly participated in the attack was captured at the scene and was being treated for a leg injury, he said. Reactions were swift across Latin America. The president of Chile, Gabriel Boric, said that "there is no space or justification for violence in a democracy", while the president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, stated that "we condemn all forms of violence and intolerance". Both presidents offered their solidarity to the senator's family.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Colombia senator's surgery 'went well' after shooting
Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe, a potential presidential contender, has survived an initial operation for his injuries after being shot in Bogota, according to his wife and the hospital treating him, although he remains in intensive care. Uribe, 39, is a member of the opposition conservative Democratic Centre party and was shot in the head during a campaign event in a public park in the Fontibon neighbourhood. A boy under 15 years of age was arrested after the shooting, the attorney general's office said in a statement on Saturday, adding he was carrying a 9-millimetre Glock-type pistol. The government said it is investigating if there were other potential perpetrators. President Gustavo Petro urged an investigation into who had ordered the attack in remarks late on Saturday. Campaigning is just beginning for the country's 2026 presidential election and Uribe, who is from a prominent political family, does not have a well-known platform so far. It was unclear why he was targeted in the attack. Although he has talked about the need to improve security and about having personally suffered in the country's conflict, many other potential candidates, including others from his party, have also said steps must be taken to tackle crime. Uribe's grandfather was president from 1978 to 1982 while 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. "Miguel came out of surgery, he made it. Every hour is a critical hour. He fought his first battle, and it went well," his wife Maria Claudia Tarazona told local media on Sunday. "This will take time." The couple are parents to a young son. In a statement, the Santa Fe Foundation hospital where Uribe was treated said he had procedures on his head and his left thigh, and remained in intensive care as doctors seek to stabilise his condition. Uribe's party said in a statement that armed subjects shot him from behind. Videos on social media showed a man, identified as Uribe, being tended to after the shooting. He appeared to be bleeding from his head. Bogota mayor Carlos Galan, whose own presidential candidate father was assassinated in 1989, addressed journalists outside the hospital overnight, saying he had asked for increased protection for all candidates in Bogota and for Uribe's family. The Colombian government is offering $US730,000 ($A1.1 million) as a reward for information in the case. "For now there is nothing more than hypothesis," Petro said, adding that failures in security protocols would also be looked into. Uribe had the bodyguard protection provided for senators and other officials. Petro sympathised with Uribe's family in a message on X, saying: "I don't know how to ease your pain. It is the pain of a mother lost, and of a homeland." People gathered outside the hospital in northern Bogota, staging candlelight vigils and praying, while others carried Colombian flags. A march of support was planned for Sunday. Several countries on Sunday including Brazil, Italy, Spain, Uruguay and Paraguay condemned the attack as did the Venezuelan government and opposition. Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe, a potential presidential contender, has survived an initial operation for his injuries after being shot in Bogota, according to his wife and the hospital treating him, although he remains in intensive care. Uribe, 39, is a member of the opposition conservative Democratic Centre party and was shot in the head during a campaign event in a public park in the Fontibon neighbourhood. A boy under 15 years of age was arrested after the shooting, the attorney general's office said in a statement on Saturday, adding he was carrying a 9-millimetre Glock-type pistol. The government said it is investigating if there were other potential perpetrators. President Gustavo Petro urged an investigation into who had ordered the attack in remarks late on Saturday. Campaigning is just beginning for the country's 2026 presidential election and Uribe, who is from a prominent political family, does not have a well-known platform so far. It was unclear why he was targeted in the attack. Although he has talked about the need to improve security and about having personally suffered in the country's conflict, many other potential candidates, including others from his party, have also said steps must be taken to tackle crime. Uribe's grandfather was president from 1978 to 1982 while 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. "Miguel came out of surgery, he made it. Every hour is a critical hour. He fought his first battle, and it went well," his wife Maria Claudia Tarazona told local media on Sunday. "This will take time." The couple are parents to a young son. In a statement, the Santa Fe Foundation hospital where Uribe was treated said he had procedures on his head and his left thigh, and remained in intensive care as doctors seek to stabilise his condition. Uribe's party said in a statement that armed subjects shot him from behind. Videos on social media showed a man, identified as Uribe, being tended to after the shooting. He appeared to be bleeding from his head. Bogota mayor Carlos Galan, whose own presidential candidate father was assassinated in 1989, addressed journalists outside the hospital overnight, saying he had asked for increased protection for all candidates in Bogota and for Uribe's family. The Colombian government is offering $US730,000 ($A1.1 million) as a reward for information in the case. "For now there is nothing more than hypothesis," Petro said, adding that failures in security protocols would also be looked into. Uribe had the bodyguard protection provided for senators and other officials. Petro sympathised with Uribe's family in a message on X, saying: "I don't know how to ease your pain. It is the pain of a mother lost, and of a homeland." People gathered outside the hospital in northern Bogota, staging candlelight vigils and praying, while others carried Colombian flags. A march of support was planned for Sunday. Several countries on Sunday including Brazil, Italy, Spain, Uruguay and Paraguay condemned the attack as did the Venezuelan government and opposition. Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe, a potential presidential contender, has survived an initial operation for his injuries after being shot in Bogota, according to his wife and the hospital treating him, although he remains in intensive care. Uribe, 39, is a member of the opposition conservative Democratic Centre party and was shot in the head during a campaign event in a public park in the Fontibon neighbourhood. A boy under 15 years of age was arrested after the shooting, the attorney general's office said in a statement on Saturday, adding he was carrying a 9-millimetre Glock-type pistol. The government said it is investigating if there were other potential perpetrators. President Gustavo Petro urged an investigation into who had ordered the attack in remarks late on Saturday. Campaigning is just beginning for the country's 2026 presidential election and Uribe, who is from a prominent political family, does not have a well-known platform so far. It was unclear why he was targeted in the attack. Although he has talked about the need to improve security and about having personally suffered in the country's conflict, many other potential candidates, including others from his party, have also said steps must be taken to tackle crime. Uribe's grandfather was president from 1978 to 1982 while 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. "Miguel came out of surgery, he made it. Every hour is a critical hour. He fought his first battle, and it went well," his wife Maria Claudia Tarazona told local media on Sunday. "This will take time." The couple are parents to a young son. In a statement, the Santa Fe Foundation hospital where Uribe was treated said he had procedures on his head and his left thigh, and remained in intensive care as doctors seek to stabilise his condition. Uribe's party said in a statement that armed subjects shot him from behind. Videos on social media showed a man, identified as Uribe, being tended to after the shooting. He appeared to be bleeding from his head. Bogota mayor Carlos Galan, whose own presidential candidate father was assassinated in 1989, addressed journalists outside the hospital overnight, saying he had asked for increased protection for all candidates in Bogota and for Uribe's family. The Colombian government is offering $US730,000 ($A1.1 million) as a reward for information in the case. "For now there is nothing more than hypothesis," Petro said, adding that failures in security protocols would also be looked into. Uribe had the bodyguard protection provided for senators and other officials. Petro sympathised with Uribe's family in a message on X, saying: "I don't know how to ease your pain. It is the pain of a mother lost, and of a homeland." People gathered outside the hospital in northern Bogota, staging candlelight vigils and praying, while others carried Colombian flags. A march of support was planned for Sunday. Several countries on Sunday including Brazil, Italy, Spain, Uruguay and Paraguay condemned the attack as did the Venezuelan government and opposition. Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe, a potential presidential contender, has survived an initial operation for his injuries after being shot in Bogota, according to his wife and the hospital treating him, although he remains in intensive care. Uribe, 39, is a member of the opposition conservative Democratic Centre party and was shot in the head during a campaign event in a public park in the Fontibon neighbourhood. A boy under 15 years of age was arrested after the shooting, the attorney general's office said in a statement on Saturday, adding he was carrying a 9-millimetre Glock-type pistol. The government said it is investigating if there were other potential perpetrators. President Gustavo Petro urged an investigation into who had ordered the attack in remarks late on Saturday. Campaigning is just beginning for the country's 2026 presidential election and Uribe, who is from a prominent political family, does not have a well-known platform so far. It was unclear why he was targeted in the attack. Although he has talked about the need to improve security and about having personally suffered in the country's conflict, many other potential candidates, including others from his party, have also said steps must be taken to tackle crime. Uribe's grandfather was president from 1978 to 1982 while 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. "Miguel came out of surgery, he made it. Every hour is a critical hour. He fought his first battle, and it went well," his wife Maria Claudia Tarazona told local media on Sunday. "This will take time." The couple are parents to a young son. In a statement, the Santa Fe Foundation hospital where Uribe was treated said he had procedures on his head and his left thigh, and remained in intensive care as doctors seek to stabilise his condition. Uribe's party said in a statement that armed subjects shot him from behind. Videos on social media showed a man, identified as Uribe, being tended to after the shooting. He appeared to be bleeding from his head. Bogota mayor Carlos Galan, whose own presidential candidate father was assassinated in 1989, addressed journalists outside the hospital overnight, saying he had asked for increased protection for all candidates in Bogota and for Uribe's family. The Colombian government is offering $US730,000 ($A1.1 million) as a reward for information in the case. "For now there is nothing more than hypothesis," Petro said, adding that failures in security protocols would also be looked into. Uribe had the bodyguard protection provided for senators and other officials. Petro sympathised with Uribe's family in a message on X, saying: "I don't know how to ease your pain. It is the pain of a mother lost, and of a homeland." People gathered outside the hospital in northern Bogota, staging candlelight vigils and praying, while others carried Colombian flags. A march of support was planned for Sunday. Several countries on Sunday including Brazil, Italy, Spain, Uruguay and Paraguay condemned the attack as did the Venezuelan government and opposition.
West Australian
2 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Colombia senator's surgery 'went well' after shooting
Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe, a potential presidential contender, has survived an initial operation for his injuries after being shot in Bogota, according to his wife and the hospital treating him, although he remains in intensive care. Uribe, 39, is a member of the opposition conservative Democratic Centre party and was shot in the head during a campaign event in a public park in the Fontibon neighbourhood. A boy under 15 years of age was arrested after the shooting, the attorney general's office said in a statement on Saturday, adding he was carrying a 9-millimetre Glock-type pistol. The government said it is investigating if there were other potential perpetrators. President Gustavo Petro urged an investigation into who had ordered the attack in remarks late on Saturday. Campaigning is just beginning for the country's 2026 presidential election and Uribe, who is from a prominent political family, does not have a well-known platform so far. It was unclear why he was targeted in the attack. Although he has talked about the need to improve security and about having personally suffered in the country's conflict, many other potential candidates, including others from his party, have also said steps must be taken to tackle crime. Uribe's grandfather was president from 1978 to 1982 while 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. "Miguel came out of surgery, he made it. Every hour is a critical hour. He fought his first battle, and it went well," his wife Maria Claudia Tarazona told local media on Sunday. "This will take time." The couple are parents to a young son. In a statement, the Santa Fe Foundation hospital where Uribe was treated said he had procedures on his head and his left thigh, and remained in intensive care as doctors seek to stabilise his condition. Uribe's party said in a statement that armed subjects shot him from behind. Videos on social media showed a man, identified as Uribe, being tended to after the shooting. He appeared to be bleeding from his head. Bogota mayor Carlos Galan, whose own presidential candidate father was assassinated in 1989, addressed journalists outside the hospital overnight, saying he had asked for increased protection for all candidates in Bogota and for Uribe's family. The Colombian government is offering $US730,000 ($A1.1 million) as a reward for information in the case. "For now there is nothing more than hypothesis," Petro said, adding that failures in security protocols would also be looked into. Uribe had the bodyguard protection provided for senators and other officials. Petro sympathised with Uribe's family in a message on X, saying: "I don't know how to ease your pain. It is the pain of a mother lost, and of a homeland." People gathered outside the hospital in northern Bogota, staging candlelight vigils and praying, while others carried Colombian flags. A march of support was planned for Sunday. Several countries on Sunday including Brazil, Italy, Spain, Uruguay and Paraguay condemned the attack as did the Venezuelan government and opposition.
