Senator Marco Rubio Condemns Assassination Attempt on Colombian Presidential Candidate Miguel Uribe
Colombian presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe survives assassination attempt by teen hitman, drawing widespread condemnation from U.S. and Latin American leaders.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and several U.S. and Latin American politicians issued strong condemnations following the shocking shooting of Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe on Sunday. Senator Uribe, currently in critical condition after sustaining three gunshot wounds—including one to the head—is fighting for his life as the country reels from yet another incident of political violence.
Rubio attributed the assassination attempt to what he described as “violent leftist rhetoric” originating from Colombia’s highest offices. In a statement, he declared, “The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe. This is a direct threat to democracy and the result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government.”
The Secretary of State added a warning about Colombia’s hard-won gains: “Having seen firsthand Colombia’s progress over the past few decades to consolidate security and democracy, it can’t afford to go back to dark days of political violence. President Petro needs to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials.” He urged responsibility at the highest levels, amid mounting concerns that incendiary political language is fueling unrest across the region.
U.S. leaders were not alone in their condemnation. Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno described the attack as a “vile assault on democracy,” stressing the urgency of justice. “This evil act must be investigated and anyone responsible, directly or indirectly, must face swift punishment,” he wrote in a social media post.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric also spoke out, emphasizing the sanctity of nonviolent discourse. “In a democracy, violence has no place or justification,” Boric declared, making clear that the attack had sent shockwaves throughout Latin America’s political landscape.
Authorities have reported that the shooter was a 15-year-old, and an intensive investigation is underway to determine those who may have orchestrated the attack. Colombia’s Ministry of Defense has offered a reward of nearly $750,000 for crucial information, underscoring the seriousness with which the government is treating the case.
Maria Claudia Tarazona, Uribe’s wife, took to social media to update supporters about his critical condition and ask for prayers. “Miguel is fighting for his life at this moment. Let us ask God to guide the hands of the doctors who are attending to him,” she pleaded, calling on the nation to unite in hope.
President Gustavo Petro, the first leftist leader in Colombia’s history and Uribe’s main rival, called the attack a crossing of a “red line” and immediately ordered a comprehensive investigation. Petro canceled a planned state trip to France to focus on the crisis, citing the “seriousness of the events.”
The attempted assassination has placed new scrutiny on the country’s volatile political climate and intensified the spotlight on the safety of public officials ahead of crucial elections. As authorities pursue leads and the nation watches anxiously for updates on Uribe’s recovery, calls grow louder for calm, dialogue, and a renewed commitment to Colombia’s fragile democracy.
