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Assassination Attempt on Colombian Presidential Candidate Raises Alarm

Miguel Uribe Turbay, a leading figure in Colombian politics, is in critical condition after a shocking assassination attempt during a campaign event.

By Julie Turkewitz, Simón Posada, Genevieve Glatsky and Devon LumSource: nytimes.com1 min read
Assassination Attempt on Colombian Presidential Candidate Raises Alarm
Image via nytimes.com

In brief

Miguel Uribe Turbay, a 39-year-old conservative politician and grandson of a former president, was shot during a campaign event in Bogotá. Videos of the incident have sparked national concern, echoing past violence that plagued Colombia. Medical officials report his condition as "extremely serious," and citizens are expressing fears of a return to political violence.

On Saturday, an alarming assassination attempt was made on Colombian senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, igniting fears across the nation. While delivering a speech in Bogotá, Uribe, 39, was shot by an assailant amidst a crowd of supporters, with the horrifying incident captured on numerous cell phones. The attacker appeared to listen attentively to Uribe’s speech before striking abruptly and fleeing, only to be apprehended moments later as Uribe lay critically injured.The footage of the incident, including a white car stained with Uribe's blood, has been rapidly circulating online, serving as a stark reminder of Colombia's tumultuous past rife with political violence. This attack marks one of the most significant acts of political aggression in recent years, prompting many to recall the violent atmosphere that dominated the country from the 1980s to early 2000s, fueled by drug cartels and rebel groups.Supporters, including 61-year-old Sonia Ballen, voiced their fears of reliving the dark chapters of Colombia’s history. On Sunday, they marched to the hospital where Uribe is being treated, expressing their anxiety over an era of escalating violence. Medical experts at the Santa Fe Foundation confirmed that Uribe's health was “extremely serious,” although further details about his prognosis were withheld.Authorities and citizens alike are left grappling with the uncertainties of the political landscape as the nation holds its breath for updates on the condition of this prominent political figure.

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