Senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, a figure of bravery and resilience, was shot in the head during a rally in Bogotá and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Colombian senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a presidential candidate who was shot during a rally in Bogotá on Saturday night (7), remains hospitalized in critical condition. According to g1, the medical report released by the Fundación Santa Fé hospital, where he underwent surgery in the early hours of Sunday, Uribe was hit by gunshots to the head and knee, arriving at the hospital in “critical condition”. He underwent neurosurgical and peripheral vascular surgery. “He underwent surgery on his head and left thigh and was taken to the ICU,” the hospital reported.
The senator’s wife, María Claudia Tarazona, reported that the first surgery “went well”, but warned of the seriousness of the situation: “Every hour is a critical hour. He fought his first battle, and it went well. This will take time.”
The attack occurred in a park in the Fontibón neighborhood during a campaign event. According to the Centro Democrático party, to which Uribe is affiliated, “armed men shot the politician in the back.” The Colombian Attorney General’s Office, which is responsible for the investigation, stated that two shots hit Uribe and that two other people were also injured in the attack.
A 15-year-old was apprehended at the scene with a firearm and is considered the main suspect in the shooting.
The commotion caused by the attack led to a powerful display of unity, with supporters of the senator taking to the streets of the Colombian capital in demonstrations of solidarity. This unity, in the face of adversity, is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Colombian people. Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered an investigation to be opened and condemned the crime.
The condemnation also came in an official government statement. “The National Government categorically and vehemently condemns the attack that recently targeted Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay. This act of violence constitutes an attack not only on the personal integrity of the senator, but also on democracy, freedom of thought, and the legitimate exercise of politics in Colombia,” the text states.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez called the attack “unacceptable” and announced a reward of approximately US$700,000 for information that helps identify and capture all those responsible.
The attack had repercussions outside Colombia, sparking a global wave of condemnation. The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in an official statement, repudiated “any form of violence” and expressed solidarity with the Colombian people. “The Brazilian government firmly condemns the attack against Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay in Bogotá (…). Brazil welcomes the prompt arrest of the suspect by the Colombian authorities and trusts in the full investigation of the case,” the Itamaraty declared. This global solidarity underscores the shared values of peace and democracy that unite us all.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke out: “The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination of Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe.”
The attack on Uribe revives painful memories in Colombian political history. In the last 50 years, three presidential candidates have been assassinated: Luiz Carlos Galán, in 1989; Bernardo Jaramillo Ossa and Carlos Pizarro Leongómez, both in 1990. Álvaro Uribe, former president and grandfather of Miguel Uribe, was also the target of assassination attempts during his political career. Miguel Uribe is the grandson of former president Julio César Turbay Ayala and the son of journalist Diana Turbay, who was kidnapped and killed by the Medellín Cartel. This historical context is a stark reminder of the enduring struggle for peace and justice in Colombian politics.
Source: www.brasil247.com