A prominent Colombian presidential candidate, Senator Miguel Uribe, is fighting for his life in the hospital after being shot twice in the head at a campaign rally in Bogota on Saturday. According to medics at the capital’s Santa Fe Clinic, Uribe underwent initial surgery to contain his injuries, but his condition remains “grave” and his prognosis is reserved. “He is in the most grave condition and the prognosis is reserved,” the medics said.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the nation, with hundreds taking to the streets in major cities to light candles, pray, and voice their anger. “Our hearts are broken, Colombia hurts,” said Carolina Gomez, a 41-year-old businesswoman, 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. A security guard at the scene captured the alleged gunman, a teenager believed to be around 15 years old, who was injured in the affray and is receiving treatment.
The motive for the shooting is still not publicly known, but the government has vowed to use every resource to uncover the truth. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said a team of about 100 investigators is working to determine the motive, and a reward of roughly US$725,000 has been offered for information about who was behind the shooting. 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.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also condemned the shooting, calling it “a direct threat to democracy.” However, Rubio 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,” Rubio said.