Colombian Opposition Presidential Candidate Shot During Campaign... Suspect Believed to Be a Minor

Shot During Park Speech
Suspect Believed to Be 15 Arrested

An opposition presidential candidate who announced his intention to run in next year's Colombian presidential election was shot during a campaign event and is now in critical condition. The suspect is believed to be a minor, estimated to be 15 years old.

Shooting scene of Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe. Photo by Yonhap News

According to foreign media outlets including AFP and AP on June 7 (local time), Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, age 39, was shot while giving a speech in a park in downtown Bogota that afternoon. Pedro Sanchez, Colombia's Minister of Defense, stated that a shooting suspect, believed to be 15 years old, was arrested.

Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay was transported to a nearby hospital, where he reportedly underwent neurosurgery and peripheral vascular surgery in a critical condition.

Carlos Fernando Galan, the mayor of Bogota, said, "He successfully overcame the first surgery," and explained, "He has entered an important stage of recovery."

The wife of candidate Uribe Turbay also stated, "He endured the surgery well," and added, "He fought well in the first battle. He is fighting for his life."

AFP, citing statements from the medical staff involved in his treatment, reported that Senator Uribe Turbay was hit by three bullets: two in the head and one in the knee.

The centrist Democratic Center Party, the conservative opposition party to which Senator Uribe Turbay belongs, stated in a release that an armed group pointed a gun at him from behind.

The police stated that the suspect was also injured during the shooting and is receiving medical treatment. The motive for the shooting has not yet been determined.

Authorities believe there may be additional accomplices and are continuing their investigation. They announced a reward of approximately $725,000 (about 980 million Korean won) for information leading to those behind the shooting.

Senator Uribe Turbay is a member of the centrist Democratic Center Party, a conservative party led by former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe. He has declared his candidacy for the Colombian presidential election scheduled for next year.