Colombian Presidential Hopeful Miguel Uribe Shot at Campaign Event in Bogotá

BOGOTÁ, : Senator Miguel Uribe, a leading opposition candidate in Colombia’s 2026 presidential race, was shot multiple times during a campaign event in Bogotá on Saturday, according to national police. The 39-year-old politician from the conservative Centro Democrático (Democratic Center) party is currently receiving emergency medical treatment after sustaining three gunshot wounds to the back.

The attack occurred around 5 p.m. in the Fontibón district of the capital, where Uribe was meeting with supporters. Bogotá Mayor Carlos Galán confirmed that the suspected gunman had been apprehended at the scene and is in police custody.

The shocking incident has sparked national and international condemnation. Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his deep sorrow in a social media post, writing, “I don’t know how to ease your pain. It is the pain of a wounded homeland.”

Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the attack “a direct insult to democracy, respect for differences, and the free exercise of politics.” It urged a thorough investigation and called on authorities to bring those responsible to justice.

Uribe’s party, Centro Democrático, strongly denounced the shooting as “an unacceptable act of violence.” In a statement, the party warned that such attacks threaten not only individual leaders but also the nation’s democratic principles. “We strongly condemn this attack, which endangers political freedom and democracy in Colombia,” it said.

Reactions poured in from across Latin America and beyond. At least four former Colombian presidents—Ernesto Samper, Álvaro Uribe, Juan Manuel Santos, and Iván Duque—publicly condemned the violence. Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa also extended condolences and rejected all forms of political intolerance.

The United Nations Human Rights Office in Bogotá called for swift action. “We demand the full guarantee of political rights and a political debate free from violence,” the office said in a statement.

As Colombia prepares for a heated electoral season, the attack has raised urgent concerns about political violence and the safety of public figures in the country.

Team Maverick.