Latest news with #NationalProtectionUnit
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Teen boy, accused in Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe's shooting, pleads ‘not guilty'
A 15-year-old boy, who is accused of trying to assassinate Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe, pled "not guilty" on Tuesday, news agency AFP reported, citing the prosecutor's office. The teenager was formally charged with the attempted murder of 39-year-old conservative candidate Uribe, who was shot twice in the back of his head on Saturday during a campaign rally in Bogota. Additionally, the teenager was also charged with carrying a firearm. Meanwhile, Uribe's doctors at the Bogota hospital said that he remained in a critical condition, "fighting for his life". The alleged gunman was apprehended at the scene by the security guards, who recovered a Glock nine-millimetre pistol from his possession. Police said they believed that the boy was a "sicario" or a hitman working for money, the AFP report mentioned. If found guilty, the boy could face eight years in detention as he is a minor. Giving people an update on Uribe's condition, who is still critical, his wife Maria Claudia Tarazona, said, "No family in Colombia should be going through this," adding that, "There is no name for this - it's not pain, it's not horror, it's not sadness." Authorities, investigating the assassination attempt, said that they were also probing several other angles to ascertain the motive behind the shooting. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro has reportedly alleged that an international crime ring is behind the attack on Uribe. However, he did not provide any specific details or evidence of the same. Miguel Uribe was shot in the El Golfito Park in the Modelia neighbourhood of Bogota's Fontibon district on Saturday during a public gathering. The right-wing opposition leader and a presidential candidate from the Democratic Centre was meeting with his supporters when he was shot from behind. Notably, Uribe was a critic of Petro's security strategy aimed at ending six decades of armed conflict in Colombia. The 39-year-old conservative leader had argued that Petro's approach of halting offensives on armed groups despite failed peace talks only backfired. At the time of the shooting, Uribe had two government-assigned bodyguards protecting him, the head of the National Protection Unit said on Monday. Uribe's lawyer, Victor Mosquera, meanwhile, said that he had repeatedly asked for more security for the leader.
Euronews
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Colombian senator Uribe in critical condition after shooting at rally
Colombian presidential contender Miguel Uribe remains in critical condition after being shot in the head at close range during a campaign rally in Bogota over the weekend. Doctors treating the 39-year-old conservative senator said he had "barely" responded to medical interventions, including brain surgery, following the attempted assassination, which renewed concerns over political violence in the South American country. Uribe was shot on Saturday while speaking to a small gathering in Bogota's Modelia district. Footage circulating on social media — which Euronews could not independently verify — shows a gunman opening fire at Uribe from close range. Colombian authorities later said a 15-year-old boy was arrested at the scene of the attack. He had suffered an injury to the leg and was recovering at a separate clinic. Colombia's Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez said more than 100 officers are involved in the investigation. Outside the hospital on Sunday, hundreds of supporters assembled to pray for Uribe's recovery. Many held rosaries, while others voiced anger toward President Gustavo Petro, accusing him of fuelling political divisions. Petro denounced the attack and urged his opponents to refrain from politicising the incident. Yet the president has frequently labelled political rivals as "oligarchs' and "enemies of the people" during recent pro-reform rallies. "There is no way to argue that the president … who describes his opponents as enemies of the people, paramilitaries and assassins, has no responsibility in this," political analyst Andrés Mejía posted on X. On Monday, the Colombian Senate announced it would suspend sessions indefinitely in solidarity with Uribe. Meanwhile, nine opposition parties issued a joint statement on Monday vowing to approach international institutions to ensure "conditions of equality" they say have been denied by the current government. They also urged Colombia's Inspector General to create a special commission to safeguard transparency and electoral security. Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo said that while there had been no prior threats against Uribe, his legal team had previously requested an upgrade to his security, which they claim was ignored. His lawyer, Víctor Mosquera, has accused the National Protection Unit of negligence, stating: "His security detail had to be improved. We have to investigate whether the attack was a consequence of negligence." Petro wrote on X on Monday that Uribe's security escort had been "strangely" reduced from seven to three bodyguards on the day of the attack, and said that he had requested a police inquiry. A plastic surgeon in England has been jailed for life for the attempted murder of a colleague, who he stabbed after trying to set his house on fire. Jonathan Peter Brooks, 61, broke into Graeme Perks' home in Nottinghamshire in the early hours of 14 January 2021, wearing camouflage gear and carrying a crowbar, cans of petrol, matches and a knife. Brooks doused the ground floor of the house with petrol, but was interrupted by Perks, 65, before he could set it alight. The surgeon stabbed his recently retired colleague in the abdomen, causing life-threatening injury. Brooks had been subject to disciplinary issues at work, and it was clear that he held a grudge against Perks for his involvement in the process, according to prosecutors. He was convicted in April of two counts of attempted murder, one of attempted arson with intent to endanger life and one count of possession of a bladed article. On Monday, Brooks was given a minimum term of 22 years. "Brooks committed an act of extreme violence, attempting to murder a highly respected colleague," said Samantha Shallow, a deputy chief crown prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service. "This was a planned, calculated attack, in which Brooks showed he was determined to kill his former colleague," she said in a statement. Brooks was sentenced over video link from prison because he had refused to leave his cell. His trial was "extremely unusual" because he was not present throughout and was not represented by a legal team, prosecutors said. Brooks' sentencing followed a four-year series of legal hearings, including a mistrial and several other aborted trial dates. "Justice has now caught up with Brooks," Shallow added. "His victim was fortunate to escape with his life and his whole family were in danger from Brooks' inexplicable actions." In a victim impact statement read to the court, Perks said the attack was an "unimaginable catastrophe" and that it was "ironic that a burns surgeon should wish to immolate our family". "This has been a nightmare for my wife and son who must have wondered if I was going to survive. This has been beyond every struggle in our lives so far," Perks said.
The Advertiser
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Colombian senator critical after assassination attempt
Conservative Colombian presidential hopeful, Miguel Uribe is in critical condition after being shot in the head during a rally. Doctors said the 39-year-old senator had "barely" responded to medical interventions that included brain surgery following the assassination attempt. Uribe was shot on Saturday as he addressed a small crowd of people who had gathered in a park in Bogota's Modelia neighbourhood. On Sunday hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital where Uribe is being treated to pray for his recovery. Some carried rosaries in their hands, while others chanted slogans against President Gustavo Petro. Petro has condemned the attack and urged his opponents to not use it for political ends. But some Colombians have also asked the president to tone down his rhetoric against opposition leaders. The assassination attempt stunned the nation, with many politicians describing it as the latest sign of how security has deteriorated in Colombia, where the government is struggling to control violence in rural and urban areas, despite a 2016 peace deal with the nation's largest rebel group. The attack on Uribe comes amid growing animosity between Petro and the Senate over blocked reforms to the nation's labour laws. Petro has delivered fiery speeches referring to opposition leaders as "oligarchs" and "enemies of the people." The Senate was expected to vote this week on the labour legislation that Colombia's president wants to enact through a referendum. In a joint statement nine opposition parties said they will turn to "international entities" that can provide them with "conditions of equality that have been denied" to them by Colombia's government. The Attorney General's office said a 15-year-old boy was arrested at the scene of the attack against Uribe. The suspect was injured in the leg and was recovering at another clinic, authorities said. On Monday, Colombia's Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo said minors face sentences of up to eight years in detention for committing murders. She acknowledged that lenient sentences have encouraged armed groups to recruit minors to commit crimes, but said Colombian law also considers such minors as victims, and is trying to protect them. Camargo said officials had not identified any death threats against Uribe prior to Saturday's assassination attempt. But on Monday, Uribe's lawyer said he has sued the director of the National Protection Unit, a government agency that assigns security guards and bullet proof vehicles to politicians and human rights leaders. Uribe launched his presidential campaign in October. His lawyer, Victor Mosquera, said the National Protection Unit ignored multiple requests by Uribe to have his security detail expanded as he campaigned. Conservative Colombian presidential hopeful, Miguel Uribe is in critical condition after being shot in the head during a rally. Doctors said the 39-year-old senator had "barely" responded to medical interventions that included brain surgery following the assassination attempt. Uribe was shot on Saturday as he addressed a small crowd of people who had gathered in a park in Bogota's Modelia neighbourhood. On Sunday hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital where Uribe is being treated to pray for his recovery. Some carried rosaries in their hands, while others chanted slogans against President Gustavo Petro. Petro has condemned the attack and urged his opponents to not use it for political ends. But some Colombians have also asked the president to tone down his rhetoric against opposition leaders. The assassination attempt stunned the nation, with many politicians describing it as the latest sign of how security has deteriorated in Colombia, where the government is struggling to control violence in rural and urban areas, despite a 2016 peace deal with the nation's largest rebel group. The attack on Uribe comes amid growing animosity between Petro and the Senate over blocked reforms to the nation's labour laws. Petro has delivered fiery speeches referring to opposition leaders as "oligarchs" and "enemies of the people." The Senate was expected to vote this week on the labour legislation that Colombia's president wants to enact through a referendum. In a joint statement nine opposition parties said they will turn to "international entities" that can provide them with "conditions of equality that have been denied" to them by Colombia's government. The Attorney General's office said a 15-year-old boy was arrested at the scene of the attack against Uribe. The suspect was injured in the leg and was recovering at another clinic, authorities said. On Monday, Colombia's Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo said minors face sentences of up to eight years in detention for committing murders. She acknowledged that lenient sentences have encouraged armed groups to recruit minors to commit crimes, but said Colombian law also considers such minors as victims, and is trying to protect them. Camargo said officials had not identified any death threats against Uribe prior to Saturday's assassination attempt. But on Monday, Uribe's lawyer said he has sued the director of the National Protection Unit, a government agency that assigns security guards and bullet proof vehicles to politicians and human rights leaders. Uribe launched his presidential campaign in October. His lawyer, Victor Mosquera, said the National Protection Unit ignored multiple requests by Uribe to have his security detail expanded as he campaigned. Conservative Colombian presidential hopeful, Miguel Uribe is in critical condition after being shot in the head during a rally. Doctors said the 39-year-old senator had "barely" responded to medical interventions that included brain surgery following the assassination attempt. Uribe was shot on Saturday as he addressed a small crowd of people who had gathered in a park in Bogota's Modelia neighbourhood. On Sunday hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital where Uribe is being treated to pray for his recovery. Some carried rosaries in their hands, while others chanted slogans against President Gustavo Petro. Petro has condemned the attack and urged his opponents to not use it for political ends. But some Colombians have also asked the president to tone down his rhetoric against opposition leaders. The assassination attempt stunned the nation, with many politicians describing it as the latest sign of how security has deteriorated in Colombia, where the government is struggling to control violence in rural and urban areas, despite a 2016 peace deal with the nation's largest rebel group. The attack on Uribe comes amid growing animosity between Petro and the Senate over blocked reforms to the nation's labour laws. Petro has delivered fiery speeches referring to opposition leaders as "oligarchs" and "enemies of the people." The Senate was expected to vote this week on the labour legislation that Colombia's president wants to enact through a referendum. In a joint statement nine opposition parties said they will turn to "international entities" that can provide them with "conditions of equality that have been denied" to them by Colombia's government. The Attorney General's office said a 15-year-old boy was arrested at the scene of the attack against Uribe. The suspect was injured in the leg and was recovering at another clinic, authorities said. On Monday, Colombia's Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo said minors face sentences of up to eight years in detention for committing murders. She acknowledged that lenient sentences have encouraged armed groups to recruit minors to commit crimes, but said Colombian law also considers such minors as victims, and is trying to protect them. Camargo said officials had not identified any death threats against Uribe prior to Saturday's assassination attempt. But on Monday, Uribe's lawyer said he has sued the director of the National Protection Unit, a government agency that assigns security guards and bullet proof vehicles to politicians and human rights leaders. Uribe launched his presidential campaign in October. His lawyer, Victor Mosquera, said the National Protection Unit ignored multiple requests by Uribe to have his security detail expanded as he campaigned. Conservative Colombian presidential hopeful, Miguel Uribe is in critical condition after being shot in the head during a rally. Doctors said the 39-year-old senator had "barely" responded to medical interventions that included brain surgery following the assassination attempt. Uribe was shot on Saturday as he addressed a small crowd of people who had gathered in a park in Bogota's Modelia neighbourhood. On Sunday hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital where Uribe is being treated to pray for his recovery. Some carried rosaries in their hands, while others chanted slogans against President Gustavo Petro. Petro has condemned the attack and urged his opponents to not use it for political ends. But some Colombians have also asked the president to tone down his rhetoric against opposition leaders. The assassination attempt stunned the nation, with many politicians describing it as the latest sign of how security has deteriorated in Colombia, where the government is struggling to control violence in rural and urban areas, despite a 2016 peace deal with the nation's largest rebel group. The attack on Uribe comes amid growing animosity between Petro and the Senate over blocked reforms to the nation's labour laws. Petro has delivered fiery speeches referring to opposition leaders as "oligarchs" and "enemies of the people." The Senate was expected to vote this week on the labour legislation that Colombia's president wants to enact through a referendum. In a joint statement nine opposition parties said they will turn to "international entities" that can provide them with "conditions of equality that have been denied" to them by Colombia's government. The Attorney General's office said a 15-year-old boy was arrested at the scene of the attack against Uribe. The suspect was injured in the leg and was recovering at another clinic, authorities said. On Monday, Colombia's Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo said minors face sentences of up to eight years in detention for committing murders. She acknowledged that lenient sentences have encouraged armed groups to recruit minors to commit crimes, but said Colombian law also considers such minors as victims, and is trying to protect them. Camargo said officials had not identified any death threats against Uribe prior to Saturday's assassination attempt. But on Monday, Uribe's lawyer said he has sued the director of the National Protection Unit, a government agency that assigns security guards and bullet proof vehicles to politicians and human rights leaders. Uribe launched his presidential campaign in October. His lawyer, Victor Mosquera, said the National Protection Unit ignored multiple requests by Uribe to have his security detail expanded as he campaigned.
Mint
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Miguel Uribe in critical condition; gun used to attack Colombian presidential candidate traced to US purchase
Colombia's left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, claimed on Monday that the security assigned to a presidential candidate, now critically wounded, had been 'oddly scaled back' ahead of the shooting, raising concerns of a possible conspiracy. Conservative senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe, 39, was shot twice in the head at close range by a 15-year-old suspected assassin while campaigning in Bogotá on Saturday. The attack has rocked the country, triggering widespread speculation about those responsible. Authorities suspect the teenager was a contract killer but acknowledge that the identity and motive of whoever ordered the hit remain unclear, AFP reported. According to police chief Carlos Triana, the Glock pistol that he is alleged to have used was purchased legally in the US state of Arizona in 2020. With Uribe fighting for his life in the hospital, Petro did little Monday to lower the political temperature. The president took to social media to accuse some opponents of politicising the tragedy. He also claimed that the number of bodyguards assigned to Uribe had been 'strangely reduced' from seven to three on the day of the attack, while calling for a full investigation. Petro said he was the subject of a bounty taken up by "dark forces" and neo-nazis, and was the target of an "extraction" plot pitched to Israeli foreign intelligence agency Mossad. Augusto Rodríguez, the head of Colombia's National Protection Unit (UNP), which is charged with protecting public figures, said three agents and four police officers protected Uribe on the day he was shot. Augusto Rodriguez admitted 'there were fewer people than there should have been' at the time of the attack because some had been working long hours the previous day. Colombian lawmakers are typically assigned seven bodyguards and a motorcade consisting of two armoured vehicles, AFP reported, citing government officials. Rodriguez—a trusted ally of President Petro and a former M-19 guerrilla—asserted that a police officer was in charge of coordinating security for the candidates. Over 20 formal requests to enhance Uribe's security had been ignored. At the same time, Miguel Uribe's lawyer filed a criminal complaint against Rodriguez, alleging that over 20 formal requests to enhance Uribe's security had been ignored.
Mint
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Miguel Uribe in critical condition; gun used for attacking Colombian presidential candidate traced to US purchase
Colombia's left-wing president claimed on Monday that the security assigned to a presidential candidate, now critically wounded, had been 'oddly scaled back' ahead of the shooting—raising concerns of a possible conspiracy. Conservative senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe, 39, was shot twice in the head at close range by a 15-year-old suspected assassin while campaigning in Bogotá on Saturday. The attack has rocked the country, triggering widespread speculation about those responsible. Authorities suspect the teenager was a contract killer but acknowledge that the identity and motive of whoever ordered the hit remain unclear, AFP reported. According to police chief Carlos Triana, the Glock pistol he is alleged to have used was purchased legally in the US state of Arizona in 2020. With Uribe fighting for his life in the hospital, Petro did little Monday to lower the political temperature. The president took to social media to accuse some opponents of politicising the tragedy. He also claimed that the number of bodyguards assigned to Uribe had been 'strangely reduced' from seven to three on the day of the attack while calling for a full investigation. Petro said he was the subject of a bounty taken up by "dark forces" and neo-nazis, and was the target of an "extraction" plot pitched to Israeli foreign intelligence agency Mossad. The head of Colombia's National Protection Unit, which is charged with protecting public figures, said three agents and four police officers protected Uribe on the day he was shot. Augusto Rodriguez admitted 'there were fewer people than there should have been' at the time of the attack because some had been working long hours the previous day. Colombian lawmakers are typically assigned seven bodyguards and a motorcade consisting of two armoured vehicles, AFP reported citing government officials. Rodriguez—a trusted ally of President Petro and a former M-19 guerrilla—asserted that a police officer was in charge of coordinating security for the candidates. Over 20 formal requests to enhance Uribe's security had been ignored. At the same time, Miguel Uribe's lawyer filed a criminal complaint against Rodriguez, alleging that over 20 formal requests to enhance Uribe's security had been ignored. The number of bodyguards assigned to Uribe had been 'strangely reduced' from seven to three on the day of the attack. Key Takeaways The attack on Miguel Uribe raises serious concerns about political safety and security measures in Colombia. Investigations are necessary to determine the motives and individuals behind the assassination attempt. The link between gun purchases in the US and violence in Colombia highlights ongoing issues related to gun control and international arms trafficking.
