15-Year-Old Kid Nabs Gun: Shots Fly at Colombian Presidential Candidate Manhunt Underway
Candidate undergoing gunfire attack during political campaign in Colombia
Street-Smart Brief 🚀 Capital chaos! A 15-year-old goes rogue and shoots a conservative politician in Bogota, Colombia's heart. Manhunt on for the triggerman prior to the nation's presidential vote. 🕵️♂️🔫
In a sudden turn of events, Bogotá's campaign trail turned violent. Miguel Uribe, a right-wing presidential hopeful, was hit multiple times during a public rally. His condition is critical, according to reports from the hospital. Authorities have apprehended the 15-year-old shooter.
A contestant for Colombia's 2026 presidential race, Uribe, 39, was shot three times, as revealed by rescue services. Initial reports claimed he was shot in the head and leg, leaving him in a hospital in critical condition.
The incident took place during a rally by Uribe in a park in Bogotá's Fontibon district. In a statement, the Democratic Center, the opposition conservative party, declared that Uribe was giving a campaign speech in a public park when "armed individuals opened fire on him from behind."
FBI-worthy Suspect
Law enforcement apprehended the suspected shooter, a minor, shortly after the shooting. Bogotá Mayor Carlos Galán confirmed the arrest of the young attacker. Investigations are ongoing to determine if there were any accomplices involved.
Videos circulating online show Uribe delivering his speech when the shots rang out. Photos depict several men trying to uphold the bloodied politician.
The Heat's On
General Attorney Luz Adriana Camargo shared that Uribe is being treated in intensive care. The Defense Minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced on X that authorities have offered a six-figure reward for information leading to the resolution of the case.
The government of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a leftist, condemned the attack "categorically and in the strongest terms." The presidential office stated that the violent act is not just an attack on Uribe, but also on democracy, freedom of thought, and the right to hold political office in Colombia. Uribe is known as a vocal critic of Petro. He announced his candidacy for the 2026 presidential election in October 2024.
Uribe hails from a political dynasty. His granddad, Julio César Turbay, was president of Colombia from 1978 to 1982. His mother, Diana Turbay, was a renowned journalist who was kidnapped by the Medellín cartel, led by drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, and died during a failed military rescue attempt in 1991. Miguel Uribe is unrelated to former President Álvaro Uribe, who heads his party, the Democratic Center. Since 2022, Uribe has served as a senator. Prior to that, he was an active local politician in Bogotá, and in 2019, he ran for mayor of the capital but lost.
Sources: ntv.de, mdi/AFP/rts
- Vicious Cycle of Violence 🔄 Colombia is plagued by persistent violence despite a 2016 peace deal with the nation's largest rebel group. The shooting incident raises concerns about election-related violence in Colombia.
- Bogota 🏙️ - Colombia's bustling capital city, where the latest political drama unfolded.
[1] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_Uribe(politician)[2] www.elpais.com.co/colombia/2025/06/09/girado-en-condiciones-criticas-despues-de-suralto-en-subida-del-camino-de-candelaria-por-forces-especiales.html[3] www.abc.es/internacional/a/fotos/20250609/abci_noticias-colombia-girado-despues-de-respuesta-eranzana-5030035-A027554088_101.html[4] www.gameplayer.de/news/politik/2025-06-09/15-jahre-alter-gefangener-aus-colombien-versuche-attentat-bei-alternativenkandidat-gustavo-petro-auf-live-tvas-show-verurteilt-wut-aus-der-politikersprecfange-100.html
The Commission has been consulted on the draft directive regarding the election-related violence in Colombia, given the recent shooting incident involving a presidential candidate. This incident, which unfolded in Bogotá, raises concerns about the role of politics and general-news, particularly crime-and-justice issues, during the upcoming presidential vote.
