Young Shooter Apprehended: Close Call for Colombia's Presidential Hopeful
Colombian Presidential Candidate Under Fire: Shooting Incident leaves Political Figure Injured
In an unexpected turn of events, a presidential candidate in Colombia's upcoming election found himself in the line of fire. Miguel Uribe, the right-wing, conservative contender, suffered multiple gunshot wounds during a campaign event in Bogotá. He's currently fighting for his life in a local hospital.
The incident happened while Uribe was addressing a crowd in a public park in the Fontibón district of the capital city. According to official reports, a group of armed individuals ambushed him from behind, shooting three times.
Authorities apprehended the suspected gunman, who turns out to be a 15-year-old individual. The Bogotá mayor, Carlos Galán, confirmed the arrest, but further specifics about the suspect's backstory or the circumstances leading to the attack remain scarce.
The attack left two others injured as well. Investigations are ongoing to establish if this was a solo attack or if others were involved. In the chaos that unfolded, videos of the event surfaced online, showing Uribe being supported by several men as he collapsed.
A Heritage of Politics
Uribe hails from a politically influential family in Colombia. His grandfather, Julio César Turbay, served as the country's president from 1978 to 1982, while his mother, Diana Turbay, was a distinguished journalist. Tragically, she was kidnapped by the Medellín cartel and died during a botched military rescue attempt in 1991. Uribe is not narratively related to former President Álvaro Uribe, who heads the Democratic Center party that he belongs to.
The Colombian government, led by left-wing President Gustavo Petro, strongly condemned the attack, considering it not only a personal assault but also an attack against democracy, freedom of thought, and legitimate political office. Uribe has been a vocal critic of Petro, announcing his presidential bid as early as October 2021.
Despite the ongoing investigation, authorities have put forth a substantial reward of around 615,000 euros for any substantive leads that may help solve the case.
Sources: ntv.de, mdi/AFP/rts
- Colombia
- Politics
- Attacks
- Bogotá
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive, considering the escalating political tension in Colombia following the assassination attempt on presidential candidate Miguel Uribe in Bogotá. The general-news headlines are abuzz with updates on the politics of Colombia, as the crime-and-justice sector grapples with the aftermath of the attack and the ongoing investigation.
