A Colombian senator operating to be the nation’s subsequent president was shot and “critically” injured at a marketing campaign rally in Bogota, authorities have mentioned.
Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, was focused throughout the marketing campaign occasion in a park within the Fontibon space of the Colombian capital, in accordance with the Lawyer Basic’s workplace.
He suffered two gunshot wounds and was seen coated in blood as he was being helped by aides and other people within the crowd.
Based on a medical report on the Santa Fe Basis hospital, he was admitted there in a “critical condition” and continues to be present process a “neurosurgical and peripheral vascular procedure”.
Two different folks had been injured however the nature of their accidents has not been made public.
A 15-year-old male suspect was arrested on the scene and is being handled for a leg harm, police chief Basic Carlos Triana mentioned.
Mr Uribe Turbay, who introduced his presidential bid for the right-wing Democratic Heart Occasion in March, was accompanied by a crew of 21 folks on the time of the taking pictures, his workplace mentioned, together with councilman Andres Barrios.
He hoped to run within the presidential elections happening on 31 Could subsequent yr – and succeed President Gustavo Petro, the nation’s first leftist chief.
His father, who was a journalist, was kidnapped and killed in 1991 throughout one of the violent intervals in Colombia’s historical past.
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Forensic investigators on the scene of Mr Uribe Turbay’s taking pictures in Bogota. Pic: AP
His spouse Maria Claudia Tarazone wrote on X that he’s “fighting for his life” and urged Colombians to hope for him.
His occasion described it as an “unacceptable act of violence”, whereas US secretary of state Marco Rubio condemned it within the “strongest possible terms”.
Writing on X, Mr Rubio additionally urged Colombia’s present president to “dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials”.
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Police outdoors the hospital the place Mr Uribe Turbay is being handled. Pic: AP
Former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe, who shouldn’t be associated to Mr Uribe Turbay, mentioned the gunman had “attacked the hope of the country, a great husband, son, brother, and a great colleague”.
He cancelled a deliberate journey to France because of the “seriousness of the events”, his workplace mentioned in an announcement, with legislation enforcement officers providing a reward to assist prosecute the perpetrator.
Messages of assist poured in from elsewhere in Latin America, with Chilean President Gabriel Boric saying: “There is no room or justification for violence in a democracy,” and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa including: “We condemn all forms of violence and intolerance.”
