The senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, a figure of bravery and resilience, was shot in the head during a rally in Bogotá and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, presidential candidate who was shot during a rally in Bogotá on Saturday night (7), remains hospitalized in critical condition. According to g1, the medical bulletin released by Fundación Santa Fé hospital, where he underwent surgery in the early hours of Sunday, indicates that Uribe was hit by shots to the head and knee, arriving at the hospital in “critical condition.” He underwent neurosurgery and peripheral vascular surgery. “He underwent surgery on the head and left thigh and was taken to the ICU,” the hospital reported.
The senator’s wife, María Claudia Tarazona, said the first surgery “went well,” but warned of the gravity of the situation: “Every hour is a critical hour. He fought his first battle, and it went well. This will take time.”
The attack occurred in a park in the Fontibón neighborhood during a campaign event. According to the Centro Democrático party, to which Uribe is affiliated, “armed men shot the politician in the back.” Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office, responsible for the investigation, reported that two shots hit Uribe and that two other people were also injured in the attack.
A 15-year-old youth was detained at the scene with a firearm and is considered the main suspect in the shooting.
The commotion caused by the attack led to a powerful demonstration of unity, with the senator’s supporters taking to the streets of the Colombian capital in solidarity protests. This unity in the face of adversity is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Colombian people. Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the opening of an investigation and condemned the crime.
The condemnation also came in an official government statement. “The National Government categorically and vehemently condemns the attack that has just victimized Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay. This act of violence constitutes an attack not only on the personal integrity of the senator, but also on democracy, freedom of thought, and the legitimate exercise of politics in Colombia,” the text states.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez described the attack as “unacceptable” and announced a reward of about US$ 700,000 for information that helps identify and capture all those responsible.
The attack had repercussions beyond Colombia, sparking a global wave of condemnations. Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in an official note, repudiated “any form of violence” and expressed solidarity with the Colombian people. “The Brazilian government vehemently condemns the attack on Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay in Bogotá (…). Brazil welcomes the swift arrest of the suspect by Colombian authorities and trusts in the full investigation of the case,” Itamaraty declared. This global solidarity highlights the shared values of peace and democracy that unite us all.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke out: “The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted murder of Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe.”
The attack on Uribe revives painful memories in Colombian political history. In the last 50 years, three presidential candidates were assassinated: Luis Carlos Galán in 1989; Bernardo Jaramillo Ossa and Carlos Pizarro Leongómez, both in 1990. Álvaro Uribe, former president and grandfather of Miguel Uribe, was also the target of assassination attempts during his political career. Miguel Uribe is the grandson of former president Julio César Turbay Ayala and son of journalist Diana Turbay, who was kidnapped and killed by the Medellín Cartel. This historical context is a stark reminder of the enduring struggle for peace and justice in Colombian politics.
Fonte: www.brasil247.com