Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe, a possible presidential candidate, is still in critical condition and has shown little improvement after being shot in the head at a campaign event in Bogota. The attack, which happened on Saturday in a public park, was caught on video and has shocked the country, reminding many of the political violence Colombia faced in the past.
Uribe, 39, is a member of the opposition Democratic Center party. The Santa Fe Foundation hospital said his condition is extremely serious, and doctors remain cautious about his recovery.
The motive for the shooting is still unknown. Colombia has a long history of conflict with leftist rebels and armed groups, but it is not clear who is behind this attack. President Gustavo Petro has promised to increase security for government officials and opposition members after receiving more threats.
Uribe comes from a well-known political family. His grandfather was president, and his mother, a journalist, was killed during a rescue operation after being kidnapped by a drug cartel in 1991.
A teenage boy was arrested at the scene with a pistol. The gun was traced to Arizona, and police are investigating how it ended up in Colombia. The boy is being treated for injuries and has not yet been questioned. If found guilty, he could face up to eight years in a youth rehabilitation center.
Authorities are considering several possibilities for the attack, including an attempt to target the opposition, destabilize the country, or a response by armed groups to the government’s peace efforts. The investigation is ongoing.
