Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe, a right-wing opposition presidential hopeful, is currently in an extremely critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery following a shooting at a campaign event. The Santa Fe Foundation hospital stated that Uribe, aged 39, remains in a state of maximum seriousness due to persistent cerebral edema and uncontrollable inter-cerebral bleeding. This incident occurred on 7 June during a rally in Bogotá, where Uribe was shot in the head.
The six-hour surgery was Uribe’s third since the shooting. His wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, urged Colombians to join in mass prayer for her husband’s recovery, describing it as a crucial day.
The shooting incident has invoked memories of a past era in Colombia when candidate assassinations were common during the 1980s and 1990s. Marches and vigils have been organized in response to the incident, calling for peace. Three suspects, including the 15-year-old alleged shooter, have been arrested.
Though the government initially suggested a connection between the suspects and the FARC guerrilla group, the main dissident faction of FARC denied responsibility for the assassination attempt.
Campaigning for the 2026 election has just begun, with Uribe initially declaring his intention to run for president in October. Uribe, a married father of one, represents the Democratic Center party. His family has a prominent political background, with his grandfather serving as president from 1978 to 1982. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was killed in a botched rescue attempt after her kidnapping by Pablo Escobar’s group in 1991.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/17/colombia-presidential-hopeful-miguel-uribe-in-critical-condition-after-emergency-surgery
