BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a potential candidate for the upcoming presidential election, was shot and wounded during a campaign rally in Bogota on Saturday. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and raised concerns about political violence in the country.

The attack occurred in a park located in the Fontibon neighborhood, where armed assailants shot Uribe Turbay from behind. His conservative party, the Democratic Center, described the shooting as “an unacceptable act of violence.” Images shared on social media depicted the 39-year-old senator covered in blood, with reports indicating he sustained gunshot wounds.

As of now, there has been no official update on Uribe Turbay's medical condition. His wife, María Claudia Tarazona, took to social media to share that “Miguel is fighting for his life,” urging the public to pray for his recovery. The Attorney General’s Office confirmed that the senator was shot twice and that two other individuals were also injured in the attack.

Authorities have apprehended a 15-year-old boy at the scene, who was found with a firearm. Colombian police chief Gen. Carlos Triana stated that Uribe Turbay was accompanied by Councilman Andrés Barrios and around 20 other people at the time of the shooting. The government has announced a reward for information leading to the capture of all individuals involved in the attack.

President Gustavo Petro expressed his outrage, stating, “Respect life, that’s the red line,” in a message posted on social media. Following the incident, he canceled a planned trip to France, citing the seriousness of the events. Uribe Turbay, who announced his presidential candidacy in March, is the son of a journalist who was kidnapped and murdered in 1991 during a tumultuous period in Colombia's history.

Colombia is set to hold its presidential election on May 31, 2026, marking the end of President Petro's term, who is the first leftist president in the nation’s history. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez has ordered military and police forces to utilize all available resources to investigate the shooting thoroughly.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack, calling it an attempted assassination and urging President Petro to reduce inflammatory rhetoric that could endanger officials. He stated, “This is a direct threat to democracy and the result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government.”

Reactions from across Latin America have been swift, with Chilean President Gabriel Boric asserting that “there is no room or justification for violence in a democracy.” Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa echoed similar sentiments, condemning all forms of violence and intolerance.

In Colombia, former President Alvaro Uribe remarked, “They attacked the hope of the country, a great husband, father, son, brother, a great colleague,” highlighting the profound impact of the attack on the nation.