U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other international leaders have strongly condemned the assassination attempt on Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe, who is fighting for his life after being shot by a 15-year-old suspect.
Uribe, a right-wing senator running for the presidency, sustained three gunshot wounds, including a head injury, during the attack. Authorities reported the suspect used a 9mm ‘Glock-type’ pistol and are currently investigating the attack’s origins. Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, expressed hope that his initial surgery was successful, but he remains in intensive care. The Colombian government has offered a nearly $750,000 reward for information about the attack, emphasizing its significance to national security and democratic stability.
Rubio blamed the assassination attempt on ‘violent leftist rhetoric’ originating from the Colombian government. He called the attack a direct threat to democracy and urged President Gustavo Petro to ‘dial back the inflammatory rhetoric’ and protect officials. Other leaders, including Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno and Chilean President Gabriel Boric, also condemned the incident, emphasizing its danger to democratic principles.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Uribe’s chief opponent in the presidential race, described the attack as crossing a ‘red line’ and ordered an investigation. He also canceled a planned trip to France, citing the ‘seriousness of the events.’ Petro, a former Marxist guerrilla and the country’s first leftist leader, has faced criticism from right-wing candidates and international figures for his government’s policies, which some argue have fueled political tensions and violence.
The incident has sparked widespread concern about political violence in Colombia, particularly as the country grapples with the legacy of its civil conflict and its ongoing efforts to maintain peace and democracy. The attack on a prominent political figure has intensified calls for accountability and raised questions about the role of government rhetoric in inciting violence. Authorities are working to determine the full extent of the attack’s motivation and the network behind it, as the case gains attention both domestically and internationally.