(DailyChive.com) – Colombian democracy hangs in the balance as a 15-year-old gunman’s assassination attempt on conservative presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay unleashes a firestorm of accusations against the country’s leftist president, with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio directly blaming “violent leftist rhetoric” from Colombia’s government for the bloody attack.
Key Takeaways
- Conservative presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay remains in critical condition after being shot twice in the head and once in the chest during a campaign rally in Bogotá
- U.S. Senator Marco Rubio directly blamed “violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government” for inciting the attack
- The 15-year-old gunman’s motives remain unclear as authorities offer a $729,000 reward for information
- The assassination attempt has reignited fears of Colombia returning to its violent political past of the 1980s-90s when five presidential candidates were murdered
- President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack but faces criticism that his anti-conservative rhetoric has fueled dangerous polarization
Bloody Attack Shocks Colombian Democracy
In a chilling echo of Colombia’s violent political past, conservative presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay was gunned down during a campaign rally on June 7, 2025. The Harvard-educated senator and vocal critic of leftist President Gustavo Petro was addressing supporters in Bogotá’s Modelia neighborhood when a 15-year-old assailant opened fire at close range. The gunman used a 9mm Glock to fire over a dozen shots, striking Uribe twice in the head and once in the chest before security personnel engaged in a gunfight that left two bystanders wounded.
Uribe remains in “extremely serious” condition after undergoing emergency brain surgery. Medical reports as of June 9 indicate he is showing minimal response to treatment while in intensive care. The attack has sent shockwaves through Colombian society, with hundreds of supporters gathering outside the hospital chanting against President Petro and expressing fears that the country is sliding back into the political violence that characterized the 1980s and early 1990s, when five presidential candidates were assassinated during a particularly dark chapter in the nation’s history.
U.S. Officials Condemn Attack, Blame Leftist Rhetoric
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio did not mince words in his condemnation of the assassination attempt, placing blame squarely on Colombia’s leftist leadership. “This attack is the direct result of violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government,” Rubio declared, calling the shooting a “direct threat to democracy.” His statement reflects growing concern among conservatives both in Colombia and internationally about the increasingly polarized political climate under President Petro’s administration.
Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar echoed Rubio’s sentiments, labeling the shooting an “assault on democracy” and expressing solidarity with Uribe and his family. The strong reactions from U.S. officials highlight the international dimensions of Colombia’s political crisis and suggest potential strains in U.S.-Colombian relations should Petro’s government fail to address concerns about political violence and democratic backsliding.
A Family Marked by Political Violence
The attack on Miguel Uribe carries particular historical weight given his family’s tragic history with Colombia’s violence. His mother was killed during a botched rescue attempt from Pablo Escobar’s cartel in 1990, making this assassination attempt a painful reminder of the persistent cycle of violence that has plagued Colombian politics for generations. As a Harvard-educated conservative, Uribe has built his political career opposing Petro’s leftist policies and advocating for a hardline security approach – positions that have made him both popular with conservatives and a target for criticism from the left.
Uribe’s family legacy and his own political stance represent the deep divisions in Colombian society. His opposition to the Petro administration has centered on economic policies, security concerns, and what conservatives view as dangerous leftist overreach. The attempt on his life now threatens to transform him into a martyr figure for the right, potentially deepening the very polarization that may have contributed to the violence against him.
Petro’s Response and Growing Political Tensions
President Gustavo Petro publicly condemned the attack but simultaneously urged his political opponents to avoid exploiting the violence for political gain. “I ask all political sectors to avoid using this tragic event to deepen polarization,” Petro stated in a televised address. However, his appeal has fallen on deaf ears among many conservatives who believe the president’s own rhetoric against the opposition has created a climate where political violence becomes normalized.
“When a government constantly demonizes its opposition as enemies of the people, violence becomes inevitable,” said Carlos Ramirez, a political analyst at Bogotá University. “President Petro cannot condemn the attack with one breath while continuing to use inflammatory language against conservatives with the next.”
Implications for Colombia’s Democratic Future
With presidential elections approaching in May 2026, the assassination attempt risks not only derailing Uribe’s candidacy but deepening Colombia’s political divisions to potentially dangerous levels. The attack highlights the country’s ongoing struggles with both urban and rural violence despite the 2016 peace deal with FARC rebels. Authorities have offered a $729,000 reward for information about the attack, but the 15-year-old gunman’s motives remain unclear, fueling speculation and conspiracy theories across the political spectrum.
The incident serves as a stark reminder that Colombia’s democracy remains fragile. For a nation that has worked desperately to move beyond its violent past, the shooting represents a dangerous regression. Conservative politicians are now demanding increased security measures and a national dialogue on political violence, while also calling for Petro to tone down his rhetoric against the opposition. Whether Colombia’s political leadership can rise above partisan interests to address this crisis may determine whether the country continues its democratic progress or slides back into its troubled past.
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