Colombia's presidential candidate was assassinated and a 15-year-old boy was arrested! Many countries issued strong condemnation

On the afternoon of Saturday, June 7, Miguel Uribe, a Colombian right-wing opposition senator and popular candidate for next year's presidential election, was assassinated during his campaign. Uribe, 39, is currently receiving treatment in the hospital and is in critical condition.

According to CBS, Reuters and the Associated Press on June 8, the attack occurred around 5 p.m. on Saturday, when Uribe attended a campaign rally in western capital Bogota.

The Presidential Palace of Colombia Gustavo Petro quickly condemned the incident, saying it was a blatant provocation of democracy, freedom of thought and legal political activities.

The Presidential Office said in a statement that "this violence must not be a means of resolving differences. This attack not only hurts Uribe, but also hurts the political stability of the entire country."

Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said: "I have ordered the Colombian military and police forces and intelligence agencies to go all out to find out the facts urgently."

1. The condition of the injured senator

Since the terrorist attacks of drug lord Pablo Escobar in the early 1990s, the scene of such a high-profile politician being assassinated has hardly ever reappeared in the country.

Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia wrote on social media: "Violence is never the solution. I sincerely hope that Uribe can escape from danger and recover as soon as possible."

Colombian Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo revealed in an interview with local media that Uribe was hit by at least one bullet with the wound located in the neck or head and is currently receiving close treatment in the intensive care unit.

A medical report from the Santa Fe Foundation Hospital stated that the senator was in critical condition when he was admitted to the hospital and underwent "neurosurgery and peripheral vascular surgery."

reported that Uribe is a strong critic of the current President Petro. Last October, he officially announced his participation in the 2026 presidential election, pledging to promote economic and social revival in Colombia with a conservative stance, with supporters describing Uribe as "the hope of the younger generation of conservatives."

"Miguel is fighting life," his wife, María Claudia Tarazona, wrote on the Senator's social account and called on the people of Colombia to pray for him.

The attorney general's office investigating the shooting said the senator suffered two gunshot wounds in the attack and two others were injured. A 15-year-old boy was arrested at the scene, possessing a firearm, the office said.

2. The United States strongly condemns

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio quickly issued a statement on Saturday night, saying that the United States strongly condemns the assassination attempt against Uribe.

He also pointed his finger at the Colombian government, bluntly saying that the shooting was the "result of violent left-wing remarks at the top of the Colombian government" and called on President Pete to "replace inflammatory remarks and protect government officials."

Chilean President Gabriel Borich said: "There is no room and reason for violence in democratic countries."

Ecuadorian President Daniel Novoya said: "We condemn all forms of violence and intolerance."

Former Colombian President Uribe said: "They attacked the hope of the country, a great husband, father, son, brother, great colleague."