An assassination attempt on Colombian senator and presidential contender Miguel Uribe Turbay has sent shockwaves across the nation, leaving him in "extremely serious" condition following a shooting at a campaign event in Bogotá. The incident occurred on Saturday and has drawn attention not only because of the severity of the attack but also due to the public's anxiety that Colombia may be slipping back into a cycle of political violence reminiscent of past decades.
The attack unfolded in front of a crowd, with numerous cellphone cameras documenting the bloody scene. Video footage verified by various outlets shows Uribe delivering a speech when the assailant approached from behind, firing shots at close range before fleeing the scene. Eyewitness videos depict the moments that followed, with colleagues desperately attempting to aid Uribe as he lay injured amidst the chaos, blood staining the nearby ground and a white vehicle.
This shocking incident has resurfaced deep-rooted concerns among Colombians about the return of violence, a sentiment echoed by supporters such as Sonia Ballen, who remarked on the fear and anxiety this event has triggered. “We lived through a terrifying time, and here we are starting to see it again,” she said as she joined fellow demonstrators marching to the hospital where Uribe is receiving medical care.
Doctors at the Santa Fe Foundation in Bogotá have revealed little about Uribe's prognosis, only noting the gravity of his injuries as the nation watches closely. As the events unfold, the hashtag #PrayForUribe has begun trending on social media, highlighting public engagement and concern for the senator’s well-being as well as a collective fear of emerging violence in Colombia's political landscape.
