(PatriotNews.net) – Colombian conservative leader Miguel Uribe Turbay clings to life after a shocking assassination attempt that has ignited fears of a return to Colombia’s darkest era of political violence, with Senator Marco Rubio directly blaming “violent leftist rhetoric” from President Petro’s government.
Key Takeaways
- Conservative presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot multiple times, including twice in the head, by a 15-year-old gunman during a campaign rally in Bogotá
- Senator Marco Rubio condemned the attack, directly blaming “violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government”
- The assassination attempt has reignited fears of a return to 1980s-era political violence when five presidential candidates were assassinated
- Uribe remains in “extremely serious” condition after emergency brain surgery, with hundreds of supporters gathering outside the hospital
- The attack has deepened Colombia’s political divide, with many conservatives blaming President Petro’s anti-opposition rhetoric for creating a climate of violence
Assassination Attempt Shocks Colombia’s Democracy
A brazen assassination attempt on conservative presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay has plunged Colombia into political chaos and reignited fears of a return to the nation’s violent past. The Harvard-educated senator and vocal critic of leftist President Gustavo Petro was shot multiple times at close range during a campaign rally in Bogotá’s Modelia neighborhood on June 7. The horrific attack, carried out by a 15-year-old gunman, left Uribe fighting for his life after emergency brain surgery for two gunshot wounds to the head and another to the chest.
The assailant opened fire with a 9mm Glock pistol, unleashing over a dozen shots before being engaged in a gunfight with Uribe’s security team. Two bystanders were also injured in the crossfire. The teenage shooter was immediately detained, though his motives remain unclear as investigators work to determine if he acted alone or as part of a larger conspiracy. Colombian authorities have offered a substantial reward of $729,000 for information about the attack, underscoring its significance to national security.
U.S. Officials Condemn Attack, Blame Leftist Rhetoric
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio delivered a scathing condemnation of the attack, directly linking it to what he described as dangerous political rhetoric from Colombia’s current leadership. “This heinous act is the direct result of violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government,” Rubio stated, calling the assassination attempt “a direct threat to democracy” in the South American nation. His comments reflect growing concern among U.S. conservatives about the deteriorating 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 Colombia’s conservative opposition. The strong international reaction highlights the geopolitical significance of Colombia, a key U.S. ally in South America now experiencing dangerous political polarization reminiscent of its troubled past. The Biden administration has yet to issue a formal statement on whether it shares Rubio’s assessment of the political climate under Petro.
A Nation Divided: Political Tensions Explode
The assassination attempt has exposed the deep political fault lines in Colombian society. Hundreds of Uribe supporters have gathered outside the hospital where he remains in intensive care, chanting anti-Petro slogans and demanding justice. Many conservatives openly blame President Petro’s inflammatory rhetoric against opposition figures for creating a climate where political violence can flourish. This growing sentiment threatens to undermine Colombia’s democratic institutions as the country prepares for presidential elections in May 2026.
“The attack on Miguel Uribe is not just an attack on one man, but on the very foundation of our democracy,” said former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez (no relation to the victim). “When government leaders demonize their opponents and treat them as enemies rather than legitimate political rivals, they create the conditions for violence.”
President Petro has publicly condemned the attack but simultaneously urged opponents to avoid politicizing it – a response many critics view as insufficient and tone-deaf. “I reject the attack on Senator Miguel Uribe. Violence cannot be the way to resolve differences in a democracy,” Petro stated on social media, adding controversially that “political sectors should not use this moment to deepen hatred.” This statement has been interpreted by many as an attempt to deflect responsibility for the hostile political environment his administration has fostered.
Echoes of Colombia’s Violent Past
For many Colombians, the attack on Uribe evokes painful memories of the 1980s and early 1990s, when drug cartels and political extremists assassinated five presidential candidates. The victim’s own family history is marked by this violence – his mother was killed during a botched rescue attempt from Pablo Escobar’s cartel in 1990. This personal connection makes the attack all the more symbolic of Colombia’s struggle to escape its violent past and establish stable democratic institutions.
The assassination attempt comes despite a 2016 peace deal that was supposed to end decades of conflict but has failed to address urban violence and political extremism. Security experts warn that Colombia risks sliding back into an era where political differences are settled with bullets rather than ballots. With Uribe remaining in “extremely serious” condition showing minimal response to treatment, the nation holds its breath, knowing that his fate could determine whether Colombia continues its democratic progress or reverts to its troubled past.
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