Colombian Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe shot in a rally; investigations underway

New Delhi (India) June 8: Miguel Uribe Turbay, a presidential candidate for Colombia, was shot and gravely injured on Saturday at a political gathering in Bogota. The event happened during a public gathering in El Golfito Park in the Modelia area of Bogota's Fontibon.

A man allegedly came up behind Uribe, a right-wing opposition senator and Democratic Centre party presidential contender for next year. He started shooting at him and hitting him in the back of the head.

Miguel Uribe is shown lying on the ground with blood streaming from his body in a number of viral videos that are making the rounds on social media. He is surrounded by terrified followers. The videos show people yelling, asking for help and carrying the injured politician in their arms.

Uribe was sent to a Bogotá hospital after being found with blood on his head and back. According to reports, he was in critical condition.

According to Pedro Sanchez, Colombia's minister of defence, one suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the incident, and investigators are looking into possible involvement. He had also been to the hospital where Uribe was receiving treatment.

According to local media, a 15-year-old boy who was suspected of shooting has been taken into custody.

Carlos Fernando Galán, the mayor of Bogota, said that the shooter had been arrested and that Uribe was receiving emergency medical attention.

Galan posted, “Senator Miguel Uribe is receiving emergency care after being the victim of an attack this afternoon in Fontibón. The shooter has been captured. The entire Bogotá hospital network is on alert in case he needs to be transferred. My complete solidarity with Senator Miguel Uribe and his family,” on social media platform X.

In a statement, the Colombian government also said that it "categorically and forcefully" condemned the violent incident and called on authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into what happened.

At an early age, Uribe started his political career. He was the youngest person to serve as a Bogotá City Councillor from 2012 until 2015. He was also chosen as the Council's president in 2014.

Aadrika Tayal