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(LibertySociety.com) – Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay fights for his life after a 15-year-old gunman’s assassination attempt, as Senator Marco Rubio directly blames President Petro’s “violent leftist rhetoric” for the shocking attack on democracy.
Key Takeaways
- Conservative Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot multiple times, including twice in the head, during a campaign rally in Bogotá on June 7, 2025
- The 15-year-old gunman’s motives remain unclear, with authorities offering a $729,000 reward for information
- U.S. Senator Marco Rubio condemned the attack, directly blaming “violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government”
- The assassination attempt has reignited fears of Colombia returning to its violent political past of the 1980s-90s when five presidential candidates were killed
- President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack but urged against political exploitation, while his critics claim his anti-conservative rhetoric fueled the violence
Violent Attack Shocks Colombia’s Political Landscape
Conservative Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay remains in critical condition after a brutal assassination attempt that has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political establishment. The Harvard-educated senator and vocal critic of leftist President Gustavo Petro was shot multiple times at close range during a campaign rally in Bogotá’s Modelia neighborhood on June 7. The attack, carried out by a 15-year-old gunman, left Uribe with devastating injuries after emergency brain surgery, as doctors describe his condition as “extremely serious” with minimal response to treatment.
The assailant fired over a dozen shots from a 9mm Glock, striking Uribe twice in the head and once in the chest before a gunfight erupted between the shooter and Uribe’s security team. Two bystanders were also injured in the crossfire. The teenage suspect was immediately detained, though his motives remain unclear as authorities continue their investigation, offering a substantial $729,000 reward for information about potential conspirators behind the attack.
Rubio Condemns “Violent Leftist Rhetoric” From Colombian Government
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio did not mince words in his condemnation of the attack, placing blame squarely on the political climate fostered by Colombia’s current administration. Rubio declared that the assassination attempt stemmed directly from “violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government,” characterizing the shooting as a “direct threat to democracy” in the South American nation. His forceful statement highlights growing international concern about political polarization in Colombia under President Petro’s leadership.
Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar echoed Rubio’s sentiments, labeling the shooting an “assault on democracy” and expressing solidarity with Uribe and his family. The strong American response underscores the significance of this attack not just for Colombia’s internal politics but for regional stability and U.S.-Colombia relations. As Colombia approaches elections in May 2026, the international community watches closely to see how this violence might reshape the political landscape.
Political Tensions Erupt Amid Fears of Return to Violent Past
The assassination attempt has ignited a firestorm of political accusations and counter-accusations across Colombia. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside Uribe’s hospital, chanting against President Petro and expressing fears that the country is sliding back toward the political violence that plagued it during the 1980s and early 1990s. That dark period saw five presidential candidates assassinated amid narco-terrorism and guerrilla warfare, leaving deep scars on Colombia’s democratic institutions that many hoped had begun to heal.
Uribe’s family history itself reflects Colombia’s violent past—his mother was killed during a botched rescue attempt from Pablo Escobar’s cartel in 1990. This personal connection to the country’s history of political violence makes the attempt on his life all the more symbolic for many Colombians who fear history repeating itself. The attack comes despite a 2016 peace deal that was supposed to usher in a new era of stability but has failed to end violence in both urban and rural areas.
“This attack represents a direct assault on Colombia’s democratic process and reveals the dangerous consequences of the current administration’s divisive rhetoric,” said a political analyst from Universidad Nacional. “When government leaders consistently demonize their opposition as enemies rather than legitimate political actors, violence becomes almost inevitable.”
Petro’s Response Fuels Further Division
President Petro publicly condemned the assassination attempt but simultaneously urged his political opponents to avoid exploiting the attack for political gain. This response has been met with skepticism from conservative sectors who point to Petro’s history of inflammatory rhetoric against his political opponents. Critics argue that the president’s frequent characterization of conservatives as “enemies of the people” and “oligarchs” has contributed to a climate where political violence becomes more likely.
The timing of the attack is particularly significant as it comes amid Uribe’s rising popularity as a presidential candidate. The conservative senator has positioned himself as a hardline security advocate and staunch opponent of Petro’s leftist economic and social policies. His campaign has gained traction among Colombians frustrated with economic struggles and security concerns under the current administration, making him a formidable challenger in the upcoming 2026 elections.
International Community Watches Closely
Beyond U.S. officials, leaders from across Latin America and Europe have expressed concern about the attack and its implications for regional stability. The assassination attempt against such a prominent opposition figure raises serious questions about the health of Colombia’s democracy at a critical juncture. International observers note that political violence often escalates in pre-election periods, making the next year particularly dangerous for Colombia’s democratic institutions.
The attack on Uribe represents more than just an isolated act of violence—it symbolizes the fragility of democratic norms in a region where populist rhetoric from both left and right has increasingly normalized the demonization of political opponents. As Colombia grapples with this crisis, the international community’s response may prove crucial in determining whether the country can avoid sliding back into its violent past or chart a course toward democratic stability despite deep political divisions.
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